If you think my article criticizing Pinoy Pride is demeaning, try the idea of someone saying, in effect, the OFW is evil just by being one.
A blogger recently gave his view on the OFW issue. In a Facebook group, he commented that OFWs are “good for nothing.” He insists that OFWs should be condemned for just leaving their children in the Philippines and leaving to work abroad. He further holds that OFWs are driven by greed in their search for for better salaries abroad, even if the OFW does it in order to support a family. And a funny accompanying opinion is that the parent does not need to have a lot of money or even money at all, he just needs to be physically present with their children – even if he is bringing nothing to feed the child, so it seems. It seems mere presence can feed the stomach, according to this opinion, if I undertand it correctly.
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The guy also claims to have been struck after saying to an OFW’s face that he is “evil” or a “sack of $#!*” for just being an OFW. So he provokes an OFW, gets struck, strikes back, then says the other guy is evil? If that’s not called bullying, I don’t know what is.
That seems enough to conclude that his ideas are unsound.
Anyway, can we say OFWism is the OFWs’ faults themselves entirely? I wouldn’t say that since, since, according to an article at GMA Network, the government can be credited for encouraging OFWism with certain programs for everseas workers during the Marcos Era. Succeeding administrations failed to address the conditions and problems of our country that lead to OFWism and thus OFWs leave the country in droves.
How can you blame it on the OFW themselves when the job market in the country is in a poor state?
While Filipinos and OFWs in general have some things to work on, these faults do not necessarily make them evil or worth condemning. They are people often left with little choice. Some people say that OFWs should just go home and try to find jobs here, no matter how hard it is, or how little they get. But compelling them to stay home and make do with salaries that are not enough is wrong.
Perhaps one should think of the family situation. A parent is obliged to provide for their children’s physical needs. That’s why they need the higher salaries they find abroad. Perhaps the guy wants parents to pick bananas or coconuts from the field and use that as baby food, instead of healthier modern infant foods. Health is at risk with that kind of setup, and modern food is needed.
Also: just not being there in person, but still sending money for needs, is still abandonment?
I think some people have skewed, one-sided views and thus they develop opinions that actually demean people. Sometimes questionable people do have questionable beliefs. Perhaps such people do start with good intentions, but their views tend to be skewed when they depend only on their own ideas (you know the saying about good intentions). They should stop believing too much in their own views (taking themselves too seriously) and stop spewing opinions that only demean and needlessly provoke other people.
I ado agree that OFWism is a problem and I do support solutions for bringing back OFWs and having them stay home permanently. But one must understand OFWism, while a problem in itself, is also the symptom of even bigger underlying problems. Saying the OFW is greedy or evil is bigotry and prejudice. It reflects a stubborn “I’m right, you’re wrong” arrogance with very little real understanding of others’ problems.
I believe, as my cohorts here do, that what Filipinos embrace as their culture is what actually pulls the country down. And those who seem to be anti-dictators, who may also believe themselves to be “heroes,” are the real dictators.
That attitude towards the OFW smacks of “crab mentality”. Obviously it is a complicated issue,or set of issues. In soje instances,the OFW goes off as the dedicated slave of the family and works hard while the spouse at home uses the remitances to entertain barcada and new lovers and actually do nothing productive. The children are marginally better off financially, but have a broken family.
In other cases, you see an OFW go off and their entire family retires from the workforce altogether to live off of the sweat of the designated slave. Siquijor is a prime example with hardly any industry other than tourism, yet there are plenty of videoke queens, tennis pros, future PBA stars and other people living a good life with no visible means of support. Adultery is rampant. In this case, the OFW contributes to a declining work ethic and morality of those left behind.Obviously this is not true in all cases, but I have seen enough of it to consider it a problem.
I do not see the OFWs as greedy or evil, but as victims of circumstance.
Well said
And between the emotional blackmail from the family and the govt strategy to push for more ofw’s, they are indeed unfortunate victims, and certainly work hard for still relatively meagre wages abroad, not to mention the abuse.
Despite all that ofw’s are invariably reluctant to return home once they have experienced life outside stalag philippines
Nearly all OFWs want to go home, to be with family, but without means to support their families, they can’t just do that. That’s what some people need to understand.
Ditto. Let’s face it though, narrow-minded people will always exist
and are there to piss people off whether in ignorantly or deliberately.
I agree we (as OFW)are not evil nor greedy. We are victims of circumstance. Our place was a peaceful place but after the Marcos regime and it was the Cory Administration rebels controlled our place and there were victims of salvages. There was no peace and order. There were only two alternative:.Number 1 is – To join the ruling power which they consider themselves Communists. All mouths were sealed. No freedom and we believed that the Cory administration was a weak government because it tolerated what was happening. We knew that the Cory government freed the leaders of the Communist and they were free to roam around. Always ceasefire and during ceasefires the rebels grew stronger. Revolutionary taxes were paid. We had two governments. When there were casualties executed the two governments blames its other.
Second alternative is to flee from the conflicts. Go abroad as OFW. Sacrificial dilemma to avoid the crossfire that the two government in any time may arise. We are not greedy. We want peace.
Umaalis ang OFW sa bansa para kumita ng marangal para buhayin ang pamilya . Hindi namin kayang tingnan na maghirap ang pamilya dahil sa kawalan ng hanapbuhay at dahil sa lugmok na ekonomiya na gawa ng politico ng ating bansa. Ikaw Chino F palagay ko mayaman ka dahil nasasabi mo yan. O corrupt ka sa gobyerno . Pero kakarmahin ka rin at wag sana tayong magkita saibang bansa na OFw ka rin dahil isasampal ko sa mukha mo itong sinasabi.
@Allan
Um, nagbasa ka ba talaga? Wala naman siya sinabi na mapanira sa OFW.
Counter argument nga siya sa isang artikulo daw na nagsabi ng sinasabi mo.
Next time po, paki basa ng maigi bago ka magreact.
Ikaw siguru ang corrupt, corrupted memory siguru, hehe! Joke lang po.
At least someone shows that OFWs are not going to take insults lightly.
Nothing in the article was an insult. Just to social ills of OFW.
Not meant to be, but others will take it as such. And I’m referring more to the comments in the Facebook group.
no nothing in the article is an insult. pero mawalang galang na po, hindi po kasi lahat ng OFW ay matatas sa pagsasalita o madaling makaintindi ng wikang ingles.
a lot of pinoys abroad are skilled workers and DHs. they may understand a couple of sentences in english pero hindi ang kabuuan, lalo na nga ba’t ganito kahaba.
believe me, I have seen it first hand being an OFW of more than seven years.
I don’t think saying that OFW is evil and greedy is not an insult to millions of Filipinos working abroad. You know what almost all OFW is going abroad to look for better opportunity for his/her family. I can’t imagine that there are those narrow minded Filipinos and ill driven people are insensitive to the plight of OFW. Maybe his living a life of a prince or princess that everything is prepare for him or her. But I doubt that their wealth and gains are truly from their true hard work or intellectual prowess. In our country the easy way to have a good life is to be corrupt or connived with the syndicates and do illegal activities such as smuggling and other unlawful activities. Now, it is also possible to become big time businessman but I don’t think being honest would be applicable because every business has a hidden agenda and that is to earn more and let the common people suffer. They don’t care much about the common people what they care about is to earn big and big so that they can give big bonuses to their executives. Now, tell me who do you think is evil and greedy? The one who is looking for better opportunities for the sake of his or her family without fooling people to earn more, or the one who is earning much sacrificing the lives of many just to attain fame, elegance,vanity, and living as if he or she is king or queen and the world is at his or her hand alone.
I consider myself not as an OFW but a Financial Refugee. Financial Refugee is the new OFW. Thanks for standing up for FR/OFW’s.
LOL! Financial Refugee. Well done, Sir!
I am sorry that you cant write English… So much for that Philippines Education 🙂
Ahhh, the snake oil salesman makes an appearance.
So, Peter, here are my questions for you.
You claim to have a lot of savings so you can go to any ATM and take out 20,000 pesos at any time because, wow, you are so successful unlike those “lazy” Filipinos. (By the way, I notice you also called Samoans lazy and Fijians lazy. Are you the apostle to the lazy? Is this the special calling you now claim for yourself?)
And yet only three months ago you were on your Facebook page begging for cash from your Facebook followers.
Shall I quote?
https://www.facebook.com/notes/peter-a-vandever/urgent-need/10151557624899169
(quote)
Urgent Need
8 April 2013 at 14:36
(snip)
Now, as you know, I spend all I had on getting to the Philippines. The flights from Nadi-Hong Kong- Clark was over $1000. It was a decision that had to be made but it is has created a problem.
The problem is I litterally have no money at all now. I don’t even have money for food. I know of some payment for web design are coming but that is not today.
I need an urgent miracle to be able to operate and win souls. When I say urgent, I mean now.
(snip)
(unquote)
OK, I can understand why you are a hypocrite. You’re a graduate of Oral Roberts University founded by the late Oral Roberts who was one of the most disgraceful frauds of the 20th century and the one who almost singlehandedly created the thieving televangelist who steals from widows and orphans?
Is that your ambition too?
Also, before you blocked me I posed a very simply question to you which I think is the very reason you blocked me.
Why is it that when you beg for money it is OK but if a Filipino begs for money or even goes overseas to work for it is purely because of greed and/or laziness?
Why does a different standard apply to you?
Is this the Oral Roberts training showing through again?
Anyway, try and answer these questions without your usual obfuscations. I’ll keep asking them.
Also, be prepared for the next round of questions regarding the gulf between the standards of what I will simply call your personal relationships and your supposed self-appointment as a Christian missionary.
Let’s face it, you’re living like a Spanish friar, aren’t you?
See, Peter, you are still a grub.
If you follow the Facebook group. I post one of my bank statement.
Hell, only what I get from the US Gov is more than P20,000 lol
I think I will write a blog on the modern Spanish Friars and what would be happening in the Philippines. Great idea.
Thanks for inspiring me, Nigel.
“I am sorry that you cant write English… So much for that Philippines Education”
It’s “can’t” not written as “cant”. It’s “Philippine Education” not written as “Philippines Education”.
Hmmm. So much for your so called education. I met so many people who claim to be a product of their so called “higher institutions” from their country but when in comes to interacting and working with them, shows only how little they are capable of.
[insert rolling eyes here]
Next please…
there are lots of OFW with different reasons & different circumstances. some OFWs bring their family in their place of selection. some OFWs have the luxury to go home every month, every 2months depending on the company. some OFWs were hired bcoz of their extra-ordinary capacity. what i mean nega commenters should know well first bfore talking trashes. most OFW are there for very good reasons not are all for sacrifices for good.
Ahhh, as always, Peter, you fail to answer the questions.
You truly are a graduate of Oral Roberts University.
You’re just another fake.
I’ll keep it simple:
1. Why is it OK for you to beg for money but it’s bad when Filipinos beg for it?
2. Why do you say that Filipinos that run out of money are greedy but it’s also OK for you to run out of money?
C’mon, they’re simple questions. Even you should be able to answer them.
I have worked locally for 11 years, the reason being I had faith in the Philippines. Well, so much for that… I am now an OFW for the past 4 years, sad to say, my 11 years of work there is overshadowed by my job now, financially or otherwise. Good luck and good riddance to the blogger who posted against us, OFWs.
If you are referring to the ‘blogger’ ChinoF and not the comments in the facebook group mentioned in the article itself, then it’s either you did not read the article or you did not understand the article after reading it. Also one of the causes of this OFW phenomenon I believe; lack of education.
not chino…read: the blogger who posted against us, OFWs.
hahahaha you just read the header and commented right away.. LOL GOOD JOB!!
hahah joust commented on the comment without reading my comment, what an idiot.
I am an OFW too, for 7 yrs now. But I keep my family with me, my two sons and my wife. Both of my sons were born here in this country where I work. I see nothing wrong with that.
My parents are OFW and I was born and raised abroad. My dad just moved abroad without even graduating and looking for a job. He just skipped last semester because he had to go since he’s under 21. My mom got really good job in the PH but she married to my dad. I felt in love with the PH during my second visit when I was 11, ten years after my first visit. I was disappointed when my family lives abroad while my relatives stay in the PH. Most of my relatives are successful with their life in the PH because of last generation who were financially successful with honesty so they sent them to universities. I just researched about the PH problems after I was asking myself why.
I bet your two sons will love the PH. If not, it’s up to them. They would prefer their own nation patriotism over the PH. Since I know most of Filipino kids and young adults prefer materialistic life in where I live. They’re just scared of having independent life in the PH because they actually think they don’t have knowledge and survival plan but I heard successful story from some young people who were born and raised abroad about moving and living in the PH.
@ChinoF, i’m so with you on that, they are mere victims of circumstances.
Someone though,still plays a big part on keeping them people here on our land, they gotta do what they gotta do, but someone with the bigger role should also do what they oughta do.
The term OFW should just not be referred to those working outside the Philippines but to those working away from their islands of the Visayas, Mindanao or other island provinces as well. Literally they work “overseas” as well.
Perhaps most people who’ve been adequately educated or read books, magazines, newspapers, etc. and uses enough common sense would comprehend the most basic reason why a person need to work “overseas”.
Basically the government habitually neglected and consistently ignores the development of the provinces because most politicians and government leaders, officials and even the least but greedy government employees consider the tax collected from the people as their own personal money for their taking.
Whoever that blogger Chinof referred to have written such description of OFWs is living in a world of his own and is simply a sick, egocentric piece of stinking dung who is scared to learn new things “outside his box”. Or perhaps he is one of those parasites who scavenges from the tax collected from the people.
Sometimes, we find examples of people who believe their view of the world is the only one, and other people’s views are crap for them. Sad that they exist.
Not all of them.
There are OFW who just want to get out and never come back. Another brought their own family with them. And newly graduated got out while there are jobs available for them locally.
This article and the other one written by a Peter Vandever has hit a good nerve. I’ve been working and living abroad for more than 15 years and I think we should start referring to ourselves as Non-Resident Filipinos as opposed to Overseas Foreign Worker (OFW). It’s true I will not become a citizen of this country but I don’t want to as long as I am treated fairly and given the rights as a resident of this country. I no longer consider myself a foreign worker here, I breathe and live among the millions of residents in this country that I have adopted as my second home. I spend my money here, I invested, but still send money back home for my parents only so they can also enjoy a better living standard. It is a choice I made when I was young to see the world and used this as a means to know other cultures, learn a new language (even if a little bit) and taste new cuisines. Probably, I have taken being an OFW differently than what most people have done, basically to to earn better money and send it home to support others. It is a brave thing to leave everyone you love and it is hard but one can get used to it. As for the statement that OFW’s are heroes – to heck with that as we are not heroes. I never got anything from my contribution to OWWA, PhilHealth and those OEC certificates,that is needed everytime I go home. They cannot even make technology work for these so called offices that handles OFW’s. We are not cash cows for the government. Lots of issues surrounding this but I can only say for myself that being an OFW is not evil or being greedy but viewed from another perspective, it could be depending on where you are looking at. Lastly, to live back home is a choice but if there is no better future, I would rather stay somewhere else where life can be better.
Seems the “hero” perspective and the “evil, money grubbing” point of view always come from people who AREN’T OFWs. (Or as you put it — Non-Resident Filipinos) And the OFW “problem” also always tends to be the concern of people who discuss OFWs like they aren’t ever in the room, or will never overhear the things that are said about them. Seems to me that if you are going to talk ABOUT OFWs and their “problems,” it would go a long way to getting things right if they were part of the conversation in the first place.
Been looking for that article where it says OFW families have the benefit of being exposed to other cultures, which gives them a broader perspective of life. It has its benefits for the sacrifice of separation. But modern technology can make up for it. If only our country’s culture took in more of the good parts of other cultures.
ChinoF, yes that is true. Technology has made it easier for everyone to stay in touch and not have a “dual” kind of living which I used to have. Living in another country while my heart was back home. I hope you find that article, I would love to read. Lots of people travel and they do pick up good stuff from other cultures and share it but seems that everyone reverts back to being the PINOY attitude and forgets the good things they see in other cultures – I think it’s the misplaced ego or PINOY PRIDE. As most politicians travel, can’t they see what other countries have and try to emulate it to better ours? My two cents on this one. Another topic for discussion I guess. Thanks.
IMHO it is more like “When in Rome, do what the Romans do”.
Tokwa – True that’s why I said I used to and it is all about getting used to about anything else. Adaptation.
My answer to Peter Vandever’s blog article:
Number 1 – Nation-building still needs money, and OFWs bring part of that;
Number 2 – Fallacy of non-sequitur, life is always at risk as long as you are alive on earth. Joining the army only increases the risk, and OFWs never went abroad wanting to risk, but only for resources to support their families with; there is risk even with endeavors to just make ends meet;
Number 3 – Vandever assumes OFW children are automatically orphans, but that’s wrong. Orphans are only those who have lost both parents. OFW parents still support their children and communicate with them, so there are no orphans here.
ChinoF – I agree with you in all points. Points 2 and 3 also brings to one of your blogs (or maybe someone elses)as to responsible parenthood producing children if you can only afford and most people in the Philippines are not taught about that. IMHO, because of society and the religious influence to go forth and multiply mentality, they think producing children is just an easy thing to do never thinking of the huge responsibility that it is. Bringing us to the point that if you decide to leave them because you want to provide them better life as an OFW, it is not an evil or greedy thing (a different POV) but a risk of losing the child’s emotional and physical need of a parent. I’ve know friends who grew up with non-resident Filipinos as parents and they grew up to be good citizens and have become non-resident Filipino’s themselves. But there is a feedback to it, the child is left with someone else and there is a detachment. I have friend who left his son back home and sadly doesn’t recognise his father but in time he made up for it by bringing him to his location from time to time as vacation. There are always two sides of the coin or if you spin the coin, there’s more to it.
Are OFWs Greedy or Evil? i can understand who will wrote this, the sons and daugthers of OFW specially yung mga batang maliit pa ay iniwan na, kahit anong sabihin natin kahit anong explanation, lahat ng naging problema nila at kalungkutan, para sa kanila OFW na magulang nila ang my kasasalan.
Pero yung nga ang mali eh. Hindi yung mga magulang na OFW ang may kasalanan. Maraming sinimulan ang problemang ito, hind tama na isisi ang mga OFW na magulang.
Nobody needs to be blamed whether the children of the OFW parents, or the parents of the OFW children.
I strongly believe that majority of Filipinos are OFWs from their island provinces or those who came from different provinces to seek jobs in another or went outside the country for the same purpose.
The person who wrote such comment perhaps forgot or “refuse” to inquire from his parents from which province they originally migrated from. Most probably his parents originated from outside the province or city where he is at now – meaning they are OFWs! Or perhaps he is one of the products of “evolution” who just evolved from one-celled micro organism which made him to confine himself and his vision in his own tiny shell.
I am an OFW. Deciding to be one was hard and being one is harder. As an OFW, we have to battle homesickness everyday. Living away from home and family is never easy, not to mention working with different nationalities with different culture and background. Of course, we all want to go home. Philippines will always be the only home for Filipinos. Just see the millions of OFW coming home for vacation every year. I think our number is greater than those tourists. So this led me to believe that we are keeping our airline industry alive. And who sends hundreds or thousands of dollars to the Philippine banks every month? It is the OFWs. It’s true that our remittances are keeping the Philippine economy afloat. And majority of the consumers who have the highest spending power are families of OFWs. So yeah, we are keeping the Philippine economy alive.
Broken families or unhappy children happen to everyone. If you’re a distant parent, it doesn’t automatically follow that your child will hate you or your spouse will betray you. This all depends on our values as persons and on how we nurture our personal relationships.
Finally, I hope my kapwa pinoys, especially that blogger, will at least respect our contribution as OFWs. If we have become a problem, I hope our government will learn to use our contribution to improve the Philippines, thereby creating more jobs and better opportunities for all Filipinos. It will be our greatest dream to be able to go home and stay home.
I am an OFW and yes, the first reason for me being one is money, I want to earn more, the other reason is simply because the Philippines sucks, bad public transport, corrupt police, high crime rate, crooked taxi drivers, crappy utilities, etc. Now, is it greedy to want to live in a not so “sucky” country?
What does it say about the Philippines that most filipinos dream of leaving the country and being a servant in Kuwait, or a truck driver in canada, or wiping some old German guy’s ass?
@lazio,I call that making an honest living. what kind of reputation are you worried about?
Amen.
@lazio – it is not only the Philippines but it shows that Filipino people are responsible enough that they are willing to sacrifice choosing to work outside of our country and make a living rather than do nothing and not contribute to the society.
FYI, OFWs are not only truck drivers, domestic helpers and laborers. A lot are also engineers, doctors and ITs, etc. Like me, a lot are overseas because the Philippine government could not give us employment or even a fair chance at having one, without being discriminated.
ofws for me ay nagkaroon ng pamilya na walang ipon kaya ayaw na nila magtiis at maghirap pa kaya dun abroad na sila. most filipinons want instant yaman or pagpapayaman sa mas madaling paraan. gustong guminhawa sa madaling paraan. who wants naman kasi maghirap. it’s not greed. life is too short kaya abroad na at mapakain na pamilya. ipon na pangbusiness at maka uwi na or migrate na at iwanan na pilipinas or migrate na at pabaka bakasyon na lang sa pilipinas para magyabang or wala lang.. bakasyon lang.
“How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm
After they’ve seen Paree'” song comes to mind 🙂
Why would anyone in their right mind want to go back and deal with Manila heat and humidity… traffic… chaos… after they’ve spent time in a clean orderly city abroad with better weather and better pay?
I left the Philippines as a young man, to find my fortune, and I have done so with great professional success. As stated in previous posts about comparisons regarding the countries they live in and the Philippines. It is true in most aspects, and I would rather stay in a country who treats all their citizen equally. I totally agree with Ian, we are not heroes, nor patriots for I have lost that illusion a long time ago. I believe survivor and mercenary would be better descriptions, do everything to ensure their families well being and to sell our talents and abilities to the highest bidder, we are all in it for the money so stop the hypocrisy. I personally find the terms heroes and patriots very patronizing, just so the corrupt government can squeeze money off us. As for what I think of other people’s opinions on OFWs, I don’t give a rats @ss. If there is one thing I learned from my adopted country, your personal business is your own, how you manage your affairs is your own personal responsibility, and you do not judge others because you have no idea of the underlying circumstances. It contradicts the disgusting Filipino habit of being busybodies.
@Marooned Islander – True, it is for the money first and with it comes the overall well being. It all boils down to each person’s hierarchy of needs and what really gives contentment in his/her life. It does not mean to sound materialistic as most of our earnings abroad are provided to our families. Being an NRF (I prefer this term, non-resident Filipino) is a bit complicated than what most people think it is. It is quite obvious that our country’s mismanagement is the problem (the elected people, the people who elected them and every unthinking citizen). The stagnating mindset/bad habits of our people need to change. I hear a lot of Filipinos bragging that it is supposed to be the only “Catholic/Christian” country in the whole of Asia but what does it do? It is one of the most corrupt countries; teeming with a lot of selfish, apathetic, greedy, undisciplined and useless persons. There are good people who strive to do better like us NFR’s/OFW’s but are overpowered with those that have lost their sight of what OUR country should/can be. I believe there is no true vision on what WE want to be as a Nation and as a People. For me, holding this Philippine passport is nothing more than a document for visa purposes and does not hold any more national values when our nation is in deep Carabao dung (I wanted to say shit!). I still have not lost faith though but it is waning fast as our nation crumbles and more will become like us NRF’s (non-resident Filipinos) living outside looking in.
baka ang sumulat na evil o greedy ang OFW ay nagsa-sour grapes lamang. Kasi para Pilipinas lang ang kanyang mata. Ha ha ha.
So typical of you among vengeful pinoys whose main agenda is too seek easy money in order to promote themselves and outdo the status of other people. Most Filipinos are looking for instant gratification without knowing the consequences of their decisions. I don’t believe that good intentions is what pushing them as what local media is portraying them pinoy pride mediocrity. In reality its all about getting ahead of others and filling that financial gap for the sake of attracting prying eyes on them.
all the Filipino all over the world are hardworking and honest, i believe that all the OFW are good intetions to work in any part of the world.
Roy L. Maestre
Contributor, http://www.ourhappyschool.com
All I know is that we tourguides here in San Francisco cringe when we hear that Pinoy accent coming on a tourbus. There will be some problem with that person all day. They will try to complain, get a refund, disrupt the guide, write to the boss, and behave disrespectfully. If female, they will be aggressive to the nonPinoy females and seductive to the nonPinoy males.
There is one really nasty and lowdown concierge at the Nikko hotel called DESECRE whose manners were worse than a mink’s. The entire time she rode with us on a Napa tour two months ago, she and her colleague, both gtting a free ride, spoke over the driver/guide, refused to listen, wandered away from the group, and then tried to dominate and dictate at the lunch table as if she were in charge, not the tourcompany rep.
I was astounded that the driver didn’t just eject her but she has weaseled her way somehow into a “concierge” job (affirmative action?) and the driver couldn’t put a stop to her drunken and obnoxious behavior.
It isn’t just the guides and drivers who cringe; so do all the worldly wise fellow passengers.
What is in that country that makes their behavior so provocative, angry and vengeful?
Are they stuck with pins by angry parents when they’re still in diapers?
This Desiree was worth more than a few pins’ worth of revenge. I am sorry that ships ever went near those 7000 islands and moved the natives over here.