expat drinking
A vacation that includes a great beach and cheap alcohol is something most men will totally dream of.
Add in beautiful women and a culture of smiles it can be great sitting all day drinking and drinking watching the world go by. If, you are on vacation then maybe, just maybe you can enjoy it and take it for what it is, a few days away from the real world.
But, many expats who live a long time in the Philippines fall into the hole of nothingness. What do you do if there is nothing to do? Retired? Have a wife or girlfriend that does everything for you?
There are only so many times you can go to a mall or walk along a road and watch the world go by.
It is so easy to go and sit in an expat bar and find someone who is in the same position as you and drink. A single drink turns into all day and into the night. The pleasure of drinking with other expats is a relief, as we can all share our stories of woe. But doing this everyday leads to a pattern of behaviour that will lead to a road of despair.
Filipinas do not really understand the obsession of drinking, and even more they really can’t understand why you cannot have a few drinks at home. You, sitting out most evenings getting louder and louder and perhaps even a few descriptive words will embarrass most of them.
I have seen guys at the same bar night after night totally drunk and abusive to anyone that walks past. They become even lonelier and turn even more to the booze. The problems they may have had before being a big drinker are now even worse.
I see violence and guys behaving shamefully.
I doubt these guys would be the same in their own country, but they feel they can be abusive to other expats and even the local community.
Be warned. If a Filipina reports you for abuse whilst you are drinking you can find yourself in a lot of trouble with the police. Being a foreigner does not give us the right to behave like drunken dogs.
I suppose the relatively cheap price of alcohol is one cause of the problem. Compared to most home countries the beer and even spirits are very cheap. The bars are great places to be happy in.
Remember a drunk is a fool, but he is also prey to bad people.
John is a very young 56 who has lived in the Philippines for over ten years and makes his living online as an SEO consultant and copy writer along with other onliner resources. John has lived in Davao, Manila and in Puerto Galera and has become an honoury Filipino. His hobbies include traveling and 1970s culture
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