• frickineh@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      I’ve never heard this and my friend group consists of a lot of single, middle aged women, but assuming it’s true, I’m gonna assume those women are at least sleeping with adults, which cannot be said for every man going to those two countries.

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          3 months ago

          Uh, is there some rampant Italian pedophile tourism I’ve never heard of? Because people keep implying it but I’d love more info without having to sift through what would undoubtedly be about a billion articles about the Catholic church.

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              Am I taking crazy pills right now? I’m literally asking for some kind of evidence and no one will provide it. I have tried finding it and everything that comes back is about women who are victims of sex tourism, not perpetrators. I’m not asking for evidence because I don’t believe it, I’m asking because I can’t find any.

                • frickineh@lemmy.world
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                  3 months ago

                  While the vast majority of offenders are male, evidence gathered for the Global Study confirms that women account for a small proportion of SECTT offenders. Some female perpetrators label their crime as a search for ‘romance’, but as the Europe report points out the end result is the same, with the richer traveller or tourist exploiting the poorer, local child. Generally speaking, women appear to target mostly men aged over 18 years. However, cases of underage boys having sex with European female offenders, often for some form of remuneration, have been identified in different regions and countries. For example, a study on prostitution of children and its links to tourism in Venezuela found that foreign women travel to the country looking for ‘love’ with teenage boys and young men.

                  Reading through the second source pretty much backs up my initial statement that women going to Italy to hook up are nearly all looking for adults. The only breakdown of offender gender I could find said 93.3% men, 3ish% women, and the remainder unidentified. It also says Eastern Europe is much more likely to be a destination of choice for predators.

                  The second source, which admittedly had to be run through Google translate, is about Italians traveling abroad for sex tourism, not people going to Italy. There’s no source listed for the claim that 10% of sex tourists are women that I could see. They do reference the org that created the second source, but I didn’t see 10% anywhere.

                  I’m not dismissing sex tourism as a problem or saying women who contribute aren’t monsters, but the evidence (and your sources) say men make up the vast majority of traveling predators and are far more likely to be seeking out children when they’re going to known hot spots for that kind of thing than women going to western Europe.

  • frickineh@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I work in a passport office, and any time a guy comes in alone to apply and says he’s going to the Philippines, without exception, he’s exactly what you’d picture. Some have been pretty upfront about getting married while they’re there (one guy showed me a picture and said, “look what I’m marrying,” and I’m really proud for not screaming at his phrasing) and some try to keep it stealthy, but it’s pretty obvious. We’re not sending our best is all I can say.

    • cerulean_blue@lemmy.ml
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      3 months ago

      Don’t know why everyone is so triggered on this thread. It’s a joke meme, sure. No, it doesn’t mean EVERYONE visiting is after a Thai bride, but come on… There is quite a bit of truth behind this too… Last time I was in Thailand, there were a lot of old white guys with girls on their 20s that would raise eyebrows in the US.

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        3 months ago

        I literally don’t know. I don’t think anyone in the entire thread said that every person who goes to these places is going for sex tourism, just a particular type (which is just a straight up fact) but some people are acting like we stood in front of their houses calling them sex offenders.

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      3 months ago

      What do you mean by “passport office”? People would be going to you for visas, not passports, presumably. Also, many western countries don’t need visas to the Philippines right?

      • RaoulDook@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        IDK but around here the “passport office” is just the US Post Office where you can apply for a passport. And you do not have to specify what country you’re traveling to if you apply for a passport in the USA. That’s part of booking your travel plans, not applying for a passport.

      • frickineh@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Uh, no. People have to apply for passports in person in many cases. I work in an office that accepts those applications.

        • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          Sure bro totally a real place. I am out of the country for work or tourism multiple times a year and never once heard of a passport office.

          • frickineh@lemmy.world
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            This is the single dumbest comment I’ve seen this week. Congrats! I think you need to walk away from this thread because you’re taking it suuuuper personally when no one was talking about you. It can’t possibly be good for your mental health to be this riled up over a meme. https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

            • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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              It just occured to me, is “passport office” code for person stocking the shelves at a Hudson in the airport after TSA? Did a water bottle spill on you and you got the superpowers of mind reading?

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                Are you legitimately illiterate? “Passport office” is another version of “passport acceptance facility,” and there are literally thousands of them, which you’d know if you looked at the Department of State link I provided. I don’t even know why I’m responding at this point. You’ve been hyper aggressive to basically everyone in this thread for no real reason.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      Given your ability to determine 100% what a person is thinking your skills are clearly wasted at the passport office, whatever that supposedly is.

      • frickineh@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        I don’t know why you’re acting like I personally insulted you, unless you’re the type of old man going to the Philippines to find a wife who only wants you for the green card. If you are, then yeah, be insulted about it, and think about your life choices.

          • ggppjj@lemmy.world
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            There are ways of calling people out for profiling that do not include being an asshole.

            • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              Had to make sure they heard me at the “passport office”. I imagine it is quite loud with the unicorns and Easter bunnies farting rainbows all the time.

  • Nate Cox@programming.dev
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    3 months ago

    I’d like to go to the Philippines someday, and I really dislike the stereotypes presented that there could only possibly be one reason.

    I’ve spent about a quarter of my life training in the martial art arnis; I’m knowledgeable enough that I have taught or helped to teach classes myself. I would love to go to the land where it was born and train with masters there… which just happens to be the Philippines.

    I’m also a software developer by trade and have worked with a few people who my company outsourced from the Philippines. A couple of them have really been a delight to work with and I would really like to travel and hang out with them.

    It’s irritating that I need to include a wall of text to justify that I may have a non creep reason to want to travel. Thanks a lot, actual creeps ruining things for the rest of us.

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      The big thing I will say from my experience there: the people are AMAZING. I didn’t get ripped off, everyone was so friendly, got to play basketball with a group of kids and had a blast. And the nature is incredible.

      It also had some of the most downtrodden areas I’ve ever seen, some of the biggest displays of wealth disparity, and after a few weeks on different islands, Manilla felt more like a theme park for the rich than any kind of city.

      Overall, really recommend it, but try going off the beaten path!

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        I feel like there should be a disclaimer on this comment: “WARNING: you are more likely to get ripped off, shot, witness cartel activity, and/or have your organs illegally harvested in the Philippines. Please speak with your doctor to see if going to the Philippines is right for you.”

          • TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee
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            I think you’re going a little bit too hard on the denial. I get you’ve lived there and seen your share of things, but that stuff IS more present.

            I do appreciate that you don’t want to let these things dissuade others from traveling there, but honestly, I would have benefitted greatly from hearing that warning before visiting Manila.

            • crazyCat@sh.itjust.works
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              Are there risks? Sure, especially if you purposefully wander into shady activity. If you don’t, though, it’s largely a normal, albeit economically challenged, place. And the people, food and natural environment are great.

    • harry_balzac@lemmy.world
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      I understand this. I was underemployed for a while, so I was doing tutoring American English online. Since I was working graves, my schedule meant I ended up with clients from SE Asia, China, Japan.

      After a few months, I found better work and didn’t need to tutor as much. I cut my availability and was down to 2, then one.

      The one I still tutor is a Filipina in nursing school. Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.

      I get tired of explaining that she actually qualifies for permanent residency as soon as she gets her work visa. She doesn’t need me at all to come to the US to work.

      There are plenty of legitimate organizations and agencies that help Filipino nurses get jobs and visas at minimal cost above the required fees.

      She has mentioned that she’d prefer to live with me and would be open to a relationship with me, even though I am older…much older.

      I leave that last bit out when talking to folks because it makes me sound like a creep. I totally get why people would think that.

      On the other hand, an attractive, intelligent, hardworking, and fun younger woman is interested in me? It’s a challenge to say no to that.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.

        Pro-tip. When someone says something like that just stare at them. When they start getting nervous and ask you a question like “what?” coldly ask them to repeat what they just said and perhaps elaborate on it. Keep starring even after they backoff or apologize. Keep it up until they walk away.

        No one will ever question your love again because people are fucking cowards and bigots are even more cowardly than most.

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          It’s like you didn’t even read their comment and just jumped to “make them explain it!” like that’s going to shame some 50yr old who thinks his buddy is picking up a mail-order bride.

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      My brother is 26 and his gf is a similar age. Because we’re on the other side of the world they’ve a long distance relationship but he traveled there last year to spend a few months with her. They talk basically all day on a Saturday and Sunday as he works during the week. There’s nothing creepy or pedophilic about him yet that’s clearly the assumption that would get made when despite being around the same age. And yes I have seen what his gf looks like and she speaks to the rest of the family sometimes too.

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      You know what? Fuck the haters, and go. By being yourself, and going for your own reasons, you are doing a big part to break this ridiculous stereotype.

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      I’m a foreigner who owns a business in the Philippines and has worked connected to there for years. (Though I live elsewhere in China) You don’t have to worry about anything - the Philippines is awesome and tons of people go there for legit reasons and no one will raise an eyebrow about your trip, all good.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      It isn’t the creeps ruining things it is fuckers stereotyping people. The world is full of creeps no one has a monopoly on them.

    • TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee
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      as someone who’s visited, I can say the stereotypes are very real. and it’s the locals who will have that perception of you, not social media.

      they will still be very welcoming

  • Jeze3D@midwest.social
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    3 months ago

    My ex said if we ever broke up he’d be moving to Thailand. Lmao he was a walking middle aged white bro stereotype.

  • Got_Bent@lemmy.world
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    I went to both countries in my twenties and thoroughly enjoyed both. Beyond some overly strong beer in the Philippines and maybe a joint or two in the rural parts of Thailand, I didn’t engage in any of the stereotypical behavior, though I definitely saw it.

    I guess now that I’m in my fifties, I’m not allowed to go back because it would be a matter of course that I’d pick up some teen bride, right?

    But seriously, both countries are so, so beautiful. I’ve got less than zero desire to ever go to Hawaii after island hopping in the Philippines. As to Thailand, it’s just so calm. Like you’re not even capable of being stressed there. (Unless of course, you’re smuggling drugs around and find yourself on the business end of a prison cell door. Then yer fucked)

    • SpaceCowboy@lemmy.ca
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      Yeah a lot of the stereotypes come from people that spend their entire vacation in the red light district. Interesting that places in Europe that also have red light districts don’t get the same reputation. Wonder why that is…

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        3 months ago

        Coming from Philippines, there are plenty of gold diggers who see foreigners–especially white people-- as easy cash machine. And lonely white Westerners come to lap up the attention, whether or not they realise they are being sought after for money.

        Then on the much darker side, foreigners exploit the extreme poverty that locals suffer to exploit trafficked individuals–many of whom are minor pimped by their own family.

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          I mean it’s prostitution, it happens everywhere. Really bothers me that sex tourists that spend all their time in red light districts dominate the view on entire countries.

          Really it says more about the people that go there and do that than these countries. And it says something about our culture that we just go along with narratives that the sex tourists are laying down.

      • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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        Amsterdam has a similar reputation in the sense (some) tourists come for the red light District and the parties, but it’s decidedly missing the “come take advantage of third world women just looking for a way out with any western man” and even less so the pedo side.

      • I Cast Fist@programming.dev
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        Wonder why that is…

        SEA is easier and cheaper to exploit than a “first world country”, guess that hasn’t changed since the end of colonialism

      • The Menemen!@lemmy.world
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        Some parts of Europe do get that reputation. More eastern Europe (single German men travelling to the Czech Republic will have to run the gauntlet when comming back). So yeah, doesn’t invalidate your argument.

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        White people made the stereotypes so they made sure it didn’t apply to their country.

        So freaken absurd. It is like thinking the entire US is Las Vegas.

    • Vodica@lemmy.world
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      Strong beer? You must be American. Months Payton said:

      • Drinking American beer and making love in Canoe us the same.
      • How so?
      • Fucking close to water.
      • zod000@lemmy.ml
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        I regularly drink American beer than is in the 9%-10% range, please don’t lump us all into the crap beer drinkers.

        • nomous@lemmy.world
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          All the jokes about water beer are from before the craft beer scene blew up in the U.S. Give me a selection of craft beers and I’ll put them against any beer in the world.

          • cerulean_blue@lemmy.ml
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            Yep definitely this. I was surprised that all the craft ales are like 10%! And there are lots of them!

  • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Man, I just wanna live in a hut for a year by a beach in an island fishing village that Instagram never found. No crowds please, thank you. I want to pay $5 for big bowl of fish, rice, and tropical fruit. I want to snorkel on a coral reef all day, then smoke a bowl and watch the stars all night. I won’t even be a lazy slouch. I’ll lend a hand to anybody in town with almost anything. And yes, I know these places are long gone now.

    Creeping on girls has nothing to do with it.

  • DreamButt@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Having been to the Philippines can confirm. It’s crazy how many old white dudes just hang out in the sleaziest bars on the sketchiest streets

    • m0darn@lemmy.ca
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      I have a colleague that has a wife from the Philippines. They live in Canada but are building a house there. He said I should come visit, and I replied something about how my wife would love a tropical vacation. He replied:

      Bringing your wife on vacation to the Philippines is like bringing a lunchbag to a restaurant.

      … … … cool.

      • DreamButt@lemmy.world
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        Ya basically. I was with my partner and her family, some of which was from PI. Couple of her cousins who were teenagers at the time walked down the wrong street and got offered a “job” by one of the locals. Thankfully their uncle/dad was able to catch up to them and pull them out of the situation. We later saw call girls working that same street who looked even younger than the cousins

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    I took these pictures, in the former Siam capital, this past summer. If you really think there is only reason to go to that part of the world is hookers I don’t know what to tell you other than that says a fuckload more about you vs what it says about the people you are mocking. Oh and for the fucking record I am not divorced, not 50+, and very much married. People who post crap like this insult some of the most fascinating parts of the world with unique cultures built up over so many thousands of years.

    • Space_Racer@lemm.ee
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      Bro struck a nerve and he clearly wasn’t talking about you. If you’re not a divorced guy over 50 you’re not in the meme.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        and he clearly wasn’t talking about you. I

        Oh I see. I am one of the “well-behaved good ones”, right? Hey how about we don’t stereotype people and how about I call out bigotry regardless if it involves me personally? Do I have your fucking permission to do that?

        • Space_Racer@lemm.ee
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          Are you ok bro? You just seem like a really angry person. This can’t be healthy to live this worked up over a simple meme.

          • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            Don’t pretend you give a shit about me as a distraction from not being able to support your cough… argument…cough.

            One thing I can’t stand even more than a bigot is a liar.

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              You’re insufferable. Lol. Not sure what argument you think I’m making. All I said is you don’t seem to be the subject of the meme and you seem like an angry person.

              • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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                Lol

                And I pointed out that I can get angry when other people treat people like shit even if I am unharmed. It’s called empathy maybe learn about it.

                • SuddenlyMelissa@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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                  You really do need to look at why you are so angry about all this though, that’s not healthy. I just want a better community for everyone, best of luck.

          • BoscoBear@lemmy.sdf.org
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            … Or a simple racial slur. Why would anyone take issue with those. They are about other people of that race. Besides it’s just a joke.

            Bigot!

        • Clent@lemmy.world
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          Shit dude. You got triggered. These are sex tourism destinations, that doesn’t mean they are only sex tourism destinations.

          Wherever this anger is coming from has nothing to do with these meme.

          Seek therapy.

          Unfortunately, I suspect you won’t because you feel your anger is justified. Your feel we’re mocking you and don’t empathize, likely because this is too often the case in your day to day life.

    • 1ostA5tro6yne@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      i can’t decide if it’s sadder that you’re this triggered or that you’re trying to hide it behind photos of tourism sites and vague concerns about a culture you clearly didn’t have time to appreciate yourself.

    • topperharlie@lemmy.world
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      I was with my family (mom, cousins, etc etc) in Thailand this summer too and we didn’t see anything weird either, and the country, food and temples were amazing, and everything was very safe. (it was very nice to see my mom and aunt/uncles, on their 60s, visit such exotic place, they had a wonderful time)

      But don’t get triggered, people that do memes like these are mostly teenagers that think that “old people” should just stay home. These people probably never went on vacation outside their country anyway, I always found out that people that have travelled abroad tend to be more open minded and do less generalisations.

      The only tragedy here is if someone is not aware of the rat kids on the internet, and memes/ideas like this prevent them to travel and see there is world out there, and is not as painted in the internet, everything is way more normal.

      So, if someone of any age reads this, I can’t talk for Philippines since I haven’t been there, but Thailand is amazing and not at all as painted here. Careful with the sun though, sunburns could be quite brutal.

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      3 months ago

      I noticed the girls in the foreground of your one photo, but it’s because their clothes are awesome.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        It is a tourist thing there. You rent clothing of the style of the 13th century royalty as you walk around in the 13th century ruins. Yes me and my family did it because it was fun.

        Utterly fascinating part of the world. From the food and clothing to art to the temples to just the natural beauty. Every time I go I wish I had more time to spend there just so I can visit one more site see one more traditional dance eat one more amazing meal.

  • gorkur@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I kinda want to go to Thailand to check out the chopper/custom bike scene there as I’ve both heard good things and seen some nice builds on IG and such.

    I also work with a couple of ladies from the Philippines who say I’d love going on a road trip there so I am pretty curious.

    This stereotype does give me pause though as 50 keeps creeping up and I really don’t want to be labeled as a perv simply for liking motorcycles 🫤

    • topperharlie@lemmy.world
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      never take the internet as a reference, I went to Thailand last year and did not see anything weird.

      internet reality is not real life reality.

      if narrow minded people judge you for something you didn’t do just because of some generalised idea, then maybe is better not to be friends with those people. I’ve travelled alone and not alone to many places, and none of my friends ever thought ill of me.

      Whatever the internet kids think I really don’t give a shit, as you shouldn’t either.

      Man, I really hate gatekeeping.

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        Fully agree. I’m taking a trip to Russia soon. It’s my families motherland, such a beautiful country with a rich history. People keep calling me a spy, and it’s hurtful, especially when they pull out their identification. – Jokes aside I really do agree. Internet culture has come up with some of the greatest, and dumbest, collectivist thoughts and this meme is a great example of the latter.

        Edit: Keep up friends. “Motherland” “Russian” “Spy” “Identification” “Jokes aside”

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            I’m quite positive going to Russia would be dangerous for me regardless of my ethnicity or background 😄. They really do have some neat brutalist art and architecture, but I can see that from the safety of my couch with Bald & Bankrupt.

        • Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works
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          3 months ago

          Fuck that, Russia doesn’t deserve a cent of tourism money. Would you have gone to Germany in 1939 if it was your families homeland?

          • Synnr@sopuli.xyz
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            3 months ago

            I’m a Russian spy, and the FBI agent is pulling out their identification when questioning me.

      • xenoclast@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        More sharing wisdom than gatekeeping. Context matters. Another thing that gets lost on the Internet

        • nomous@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          “Sharing wisdom” is something everyone online always thinks they’re doing but they’re really just “judging” and “talking out of their ass.”

    • Bloodyhog@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      The good thing is that by that age you shouldn’t really give a fuck about stereotypes someone else has. Go chase what you like! And if you happen to have some fun with ladies here - all the better )

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    3 months ago

    I don’t get this? My mind didn’t go where it seems others’ here went. Is this about men looking for submissive women? Or something more sinister?

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      Man in 30s married to a half-Filipina woman here. When we went to visit for our honeymoon it was really gross. LOTS of very, very old men with teenage girls.

      I had women falling out of their chairs to look at me.

      I had a woman literally fall over while trying to ogle me while walking down the street.

      For our goodbye dinner, her Ate toasted us by saying “You have fulfilled all our dreams: you’ve married a white man.”

      I had several people say how ugly they were because they were Filipino.

      EVERY convenience store and super market had skin whitening creams.

      It was my first experience of the Philippines and the first experience I had of racial fetishism. My wife got preferential treatment for being Mestizos.

      The Spanish did a real number over there with their racial hierarchy bullshit.

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        3 months ago

        Oh man I need to go there!

        …for the peace and calm.

        …and maybe actually feel attractive lol

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            3 months ago

            I don’t even have a dad bod! I’ve actually heard women say they prefer someone with a dad bod when I spent time on dating sites lol

            I’m just whiter than white bread, short, hairy in all the wrong places and not at all in the right ones, and as for my face I’ll just say I’m pretty aesthetically challenged lol

        • astreus@lemmy.ml
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          You do see how your last statement is not okay and plays into racial fetishism, right?

          • Asafum@feddit.nl
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            If it wasn’t a joke yeah I see that, but I was just using it as an opportunity to make fun of myself lol

            But also, it would be them fetishizing me which I’m not against being as ugly as I am lol

            • astreus@lemmy.ml
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              3 months ago

              Gotcha! Though because it’s fetishism due to internalised racism spread over the centuries that means “white is right” it’s not okay to exploit!

        • AA5B@lemmy.world
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          The stereotypes may be those places but it’s certainly not limited to them. A bunch of years back I was touring Indonesia and somehow ended up with some way too young girls. We noped out of that as quickly as we could find our driver, but I was freaked out for weeks after. I don’t see how anyone is comfortable with that situation

          Still tipped the driver though, for taking us around all day. I don’t know if he misunderstood going to a club, or the club jumped right to the stereotype

        • astreus@lemmy.ml
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          Not…really. The racial hierarchy and the self-loathing are really Spain’s doing via the Church.

          Spain was in control for 400 years and had clear racial caste system. They brought a new religion and used it to justify an incredibly evil rule. Lain America had governors, the Philippines had Friars (read Touch Me Not or Noli Me Tángere).

          Compared with America, which in control for around 50 years and about 10% of that was the Japanese invasion. They are seen as liberators and saviours because of how utterly horrific the Japanese were (wasn’t just Korea with comfort women). In the early 20th century, a lot of the reforms in the Philippines by America were based around giving land to the farm workers and laying ground work for independence via the Insular government (so the cheap sugar supply could be blocked from entering the US market).

          • Match!!@pawb.social
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            3 months ago

            Read Renato Constantino’s Dissent and Counter-Consciousness about how Rizal in particular was elevated by American revisionism to justify the Americans crushing the Katipunan.

            • astreus@lemmy.ml
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              3 months ago

              Renato Constantino

              Just asked my wife about this (she’s an author that’s just won funding to research and write about the history of the Philippines in her novels). These are her words paraphrased:

              Oh yeah, Rizal was a reformist and thought of Spain as more of an abusive parent than something to overthrow. However, even at the time his work was really important to the revolution and his arrest led to the founding of the KKK (not that one) which was succeeded by the ongoing communist revolution. He directly, and against his will, led to the uprising that’s still a big feature of the country today.

              America’s history with the country is a lot more complex than Spain. While Spain gained dominance by throwing their weight into an ongoing was between datus and changed the landscape to impose their hierarchy, America never really wanted the Philippines to begin with. Now, the Americas worship in the country is straight up horrifying, but that isn’t from the American period of rule but because of the brief period of Japanese rule as a contrast.

            • astreus@lemmy.ml
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              That’s interesting, I’ll give it a read. But I don’t entirely see how. He was first banished and then executed for his writing and thrown in an unmarked grave. During his life, his writing was the cornerstone of the burgeoning revolution against his wishes. This was all a fair chunk of time before the Spanish-American war.

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        3 months ago

        My Dad’s bills are like $200 a month for everything, he eats fresh fruit and vegetables everyday, he bought a small truck or cheap, he gets to explore jungles and beaches and experience life out side the US.

        It’s not just young Asian women that people go there for. The cost of living is so low and you aren’t bombarded by american bullshit all the time

        • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          My friend lived in a beachfront hut in Thailand for a couple of years and he said his total cost of living was $7 per day, including food and alcohol, and he drank A LOT of alcohol.

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            This is it. So many retirees are too poor to live in Western countries, let alone live well. They have a small pension (if that), some old age benefits, maybe some paper wealth in real estate that they can’t access because the cheap cost of shelter from that real estate is critical to making ends meet. If they get divorced, then they probably need to sell the house, so no more cheap shelter.

            Moving somewhere cheap is their only option to have a dignified retirement. Of course, that probably is just delaying the inevitable since older age comes with all sorts of health issues and at some point they will probably need health and elder care they can’t afford in their home country.

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    3 months ago

    I unironically would love to visit Thailand for the cuisine. Then again, if the internet is any indication, I must be the only white man on earth who isn’t particularly into Asian women.

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    The people are wonderful, COL is inexpensive, the food is outrageous, the sailing is awesome, the weather is warm, and healthcare is affordable. What’s not to like?

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      You forgot the desperately poor women willing to sell themselves to men so that they can care for their families.

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        It’s the worlds oldest profession and these ladies can make more than engineers in their country. I don’t believe calling them desperately poor is fair.

        • Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca
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          I’m not talking about the prostitutes. I am talking about the younger Filipino women who get married to older American men so they have money for their family.

          • AlDente@sh.itjust.works
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            I don’t think reality is that black and white. I doubt the vast majority of ladies working in the red-light districts even consider themselves “prostitutes.” Many are waitresses, bar girls, and masseuses. Technically, prostitution is illegal in Thailand. If the relationship you describe is truly just a business transaction, it seems to be in the same venn-diagram circle as “prostitution.”

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        for those who dont know why banana ketchup is used, the Philippines for a time period didnt have ready access to tomatoes, so to get a sweet red sauce, they substituted tomatoes with bananas. thus related, since they didn’t have tomatoes, you couldnt make a tomato based sauce, so here comes in banana ketchup.

        • Ghidra@lemm.ee
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          I can understand the bananas to make it sweet, but would banana ketchup still be red somehow? Or would it just be kind of a pale yellow ketchup equivalent?

  • The Menemen!@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Phillipines as well? I only know the stereotypical Thailand pedo tourists. Man, I will hit the 50 in the not so far future. Got to make sure I keep my marriage alive.