Objective Jerk
Army Veteran Asshole that is learning to love Jesus. I use my MIC / Platform as a form of "Therapy", no schedule, no script, just whatever is floating my boat at the moment.
Objective Jerk
SPATCHCOCK TURKEY & TIKTOK TRUTHS: Cultural Adaptations, Empathy Lessons, and Driving Dangers
Understanding Filipino culture reveals a tapestry of complex interactions marked by kindness and confrontation. The episode navigates personal experiences, societal observations, and the wider cultural dynamics that shape everyday life, particularly reflecting on driving habits, social media influence, and the realities of street vendors.
• Cooking a birthday celebration and household dynamics
• Reflections on social media as a news outlet
• Observing Filipino driving culture and attitudes towards urgency
• The reality of street vendors and their economic struggles
• A viral incident highlighting cultural tensions and enforcement ethics
• Insights into living as an expatriate in a foreign culture
What's going on. Everybody's the objective. Jerk, I'm said jerk, I guess it just it just rolls off the tongue. I can't even like, I don't even try and do it. I tried not to do it and I didn't for a while, but now it just just comes out. How's everybody doing? Hope everybody is well. Today is one of my kids' birthday, so I'm doing a spatchcock turkey in my little fire pit thing. So direct heat smoking type deal. So doing that today Yesterday I was kind of doing a deep cleaning and organizing of the kitchen. I'm not completely done yet, though, but finish that up tonight or tomorrow, I guess.
Speaker 1:Trying to be like a houseman you know what I mean, because, in all honesty, my wife is not A very good housekeeper. She's an awesome cook, she's a great mom, but she's not the greatest housekeeper, and I'm not the best either, but I'm better than her. Like I, I like things to be organized. I'm just not the greatest and I'm good at organizing them. I just have a hard time keeping them organized and then put on top of you know the, the kids, you know. So it's like you guys know what I'm saying, right? Let's see, tiktok is basically banned. I guess I don't know, I haven't even got on to see if I mean I should be able to get on because I'm over here.
Speaker 1:But telling you, man, I know people don't like you know the chinese, whatever this and that, but you know there's a lot of and it's like, yeah, if you sit there and watch the stupid shit, that's all you're gonna get. But I didn't get all the stupid shit that people complain about sometimes. But most of the stuff I watched was the. You know it was like funny animal ones or stuff going on. You know people going through these crisis in america and how fema's dropping the ball, all this kind of stuff. You know people recording it and or even in gaza and just everywhere, just people, actually real people, recording this stuff and and uploading it. You know there's no better news, no better. You know, on the, on the scene and first hearing it, seen it. Yes, you do have people that make fake stuff and or you can get an old video, so you have to tread lightly, but it is a better way to get what's. I mean it's better than mainstream media, that's for sure. So I will continue to share TikTok to my American listeners, let's see, yeah, so I guess I'm gonna do things a little. My kids are always on me about like dude, you can make your videos cooler. And it's like man, I'm not trying to be cool dude, I'm just trying to be me. You know, I like my three listeners All right, but still so they're. So I'm trying to, I'm going to add a little video, but I don't think it's going to work, because maybe it will. I can make it work, but anyway. So let's see, I'm constantly trying to understand.
Speaker 1:Being an American living here in the Philippines, I'm always trying to understand why things are and why Filipinos are the way they are. You know what I mean. I mean, obviously it's a different country, so that's the reason. But I'm trying to. I you know, I don't just sit there and like, oh this, you can't drive stupid Asians, you can't drive. You know. Know, there's more to it than that, um and just other stuff. It's just like things that really kind of irritate me. Yes, I get irritated, but at the same time I try, I do try to kind of understand why they do what they do. You know what I mean. I try to. I'm not saying I always do, but um, but so one thing.
Speaker 1:So for those that don't know, like Filipinos are like overly nice, overly, you know, they don't really cause too much friction. You know they don't. They want to be, they don't want to be interrupting. They're very kind of like self-centered and the like. They're just focused on what they're going to do and they get it done. They try to do it without inconvenience to other people but they do like horribly wrong but it's like they don't really. But it's like they don't really. You know confrontation is like the last thing they want. You know what I mean For a lot of them, most of them, I mean I think that's kind of most people in general, I guess but just like a lot of people, when you let things go, you let things slide, you blow up. You know you let things slide, you blow up. You know um.
Speaker 1:So it's like there are a lot of, you know, people complain about like homeless people begging for money. So there are people that do that here. There are people like that's their profession. I mean they're that's people's professions in the states too. You know, you've seen the, the meme or the videos or whatever. Heard the meme where somebody's like begging for money and then they, you know, wearing these tattered clothes and they go walk into an alley, change their clothes and get into a mercedes or something you know um. So there's, like there's a group of people like that's what they do, that's that's what they're and their kids do. They go. When there's market days and various things, they go and they, they beg for money, they ask for money and that's how they, you know, support their family.
Speaker 1:Um, it would be kind of interesting to know, like I would like. Don't some of them want to actually just get it? Like? It's hard for them to get jobs when people know that they come from that family, like they call them bajaus, um, and it's hard for people to trust them. So it's hard for them to get a job, even, like you know, a construction job or something like that. Um, but like me, I don't know. I just would think that you know you'd want something a little better for yourself. Try and get a job doing something, but I don't know, can't really speak to it. You know um, but and some people aren't, you know some people do they'll sell, like I assume they like buy a bunch of fabric and then they cut them into washcloths and sew them up.
Speaker 1:They'll do stuff and like people are walking around with like washcloths and just various little things, like at the drive-thru when you're at like a mcdonald's or something and they're trying to sell you stuff I bought stuff from them before sometimes um, but there's this other group that they make. They take these flowers, these like native filipino flowers, and they make them into like almost like a necklace or like maybe like a flower, tiara kind of thing, tiara. So you know they sell it to you, you buy them, you hang them on your, your rear view mirror, whatever. And then, plus, you know, so at least they're doing something to get the money. They're not just like give me money, give me money, they're, they're, they're giving you a product even though it's kind of useless. I mean, it looks nice and it lasts a day, but whatever, at least they're doing something right.
Speaker 1:So a lot of people, or like people, will like sell pins oh, I'm trying to save money for college. Are they lying, maybe, but you know they're just trying to make some extra money for school. You know, maybe like Parents can't afford to Pay all the extra little stuff that goes along with school. They're paying for their school or whatever, maybe. But If they want to Do any kind of whatever, they got to figure it out for themselves, you know. So there's this video, um, this. This all pertains to the whole thing with what I'm talking about, although I did kind kind of jump the gun, okay.
Speaker 1:So, like I said, you have people that are always trying to. You know like I'll be at like a Chowking or something, and then people will come in and start asking you money while you're eating. I hate that, that drives me nuts. But the thing is is, like most of these establishments, almost all of them, have security guards. Right, they work for the government, the state state. They're I don't know, I don't know what they make. They, you know they have the standard uniform which you'll see in this video and basically they're like door opener. They're there, I guess, for in case crap hits the fan. They're more prevalent and more armed in manila than they are here, but they're still, you know. But generally they just kind of stand there and they help, you know, they help open the door for people or they help clean up. They do stuff that's not really guard related, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1:And um, and then sometimes, you know, they let you know to me. They shouldn't be letting people hang out in the drive through, sitting there and waiting for a car to come through, to come up, and you know, ask for stuff like that should be part of their job is to not to not allow that to happen. But most of them do, right, right, so, and it's kind of like you know the whole Filipino mindset, where they just kind of let things happen and then, like, when you're driving on the road, you have either people that are just so slow and don't care or you have people that are in such a freaking hurry they risk their lives and other people just to pass one car because they pass in the most worst condition that you can, and you just have like two extremes. You know there's not a whole lot of people that are I mean there are, but it just seems like a lot of people are really just super slow, can't drive, or super fast, driving recklessly. You know what I mean and it kind of goes. It's that way through a lot of things, and this is another example of it.
Speaker 1:It made me kind of think of this when I saw this video. Um, so, taking what I just said, uh, we're going to watch this, this video, and then I'll kind of talk about just kind of give you an example, this video, and then I'll kind of talk about it. Just kind of give you an example. So let's see, oh, I'm already, oh crap, oh, I'm not going to be able to do it, am I? So I took a clip but I'm using excuse me the thing that I watched. Oh no, I know what I got to do. Okay, sorry, see, trying to listen to my kids and do something different and messing things up. All right, now I got to open it up on the file and stuff. Hold on. So how's your day going? Yeah, oh man, I need my glasses there. It is Okay. So I think it's this one. Yeah, here we go. Okay, so I'm going to have to time this out so that it kind of correlates with the video. I haven't figured out how I'm going to do this, but hopefully it works out. So anyway, so push and play so you can see.
Speaker 1:This guard here is like ripping those flowers I was describing out of this little student's hand, and he rips them out because he's trying to tell her to get out of here, stop selling them, you know. And then she starts flipping them back and fighting back. So you see the uniform, and this is the typical. I saw this, but I was thinking it was Japan for some reason. I didn't pay much attention, and then my wife told me about it. So so this, this has kind of become viral here in the Philippines. Um, okay, I'm going to stop it now. Oh, it just stopped. All right, cool. So so that's what I'm talking about.
Speaker 1:So you have a lot of guards that don't do anything, like they don't do their job, and now you got this guy who's doing his job, but to the extreme. You know what I mean. Does he need to rip the flowers out of the girl's hand? And you know cause? He's probably told her to get lost or move on for a while, and she didn't listen, so he ripped the flowers out or whatever. Was it excessive, I think? So I mean, I mean, but at least he was kind of doing his job. But you know that's. You know the only way for her to make some money. You know she spent some time making those. I don't know how long it takes, but she spent some time making those things, or her mom did, or something To sell it, to make some extra money for something, possibly To get something for school, or, who knows, maybe not, Maybe it's because she wanted to buy a vape, I don't know.
Speaker 1:But it's just kind of crazy how most of the guards like that I see are just, they're just there to collect a paycheck. And then this guy is like you know it kind of, I bet, because it looks like it's in manila, probably like robinson's mall or something. And you know they probably told them hey, we don't want, especially now, like because right now is kind of like tourist time this is when tourists come to the philippines. I mean I guess it's kind of over now more so, because it's cooler and everything. So maybe, like during these times, you know, we don't want a bunch of people asking for money or begging for money and this and that. So keep, keep this area clear. And so the guy was probably just really doing his job and she wouldn't listen and so finally he grabbed the flowers and threw them. And you know, I mean because he mean because he didn't beat up on her or nothing, he was just like so.
Speaker 1:But I guess, like a lot of people are pissed off and I get both sides of it. You know some people are like, oh my gosh, she's so disrespectful, she shouldn't hit. I said, well, he's not a police officer, he's security and it was kind of a dick move, you know. So I can kind of understand her thinking, you know, and she just hit him with some flowers Obviously he doesn't really care, um, and then after the video he just kind of moves on to something else, you know. So I feel bad for the girl, but I'm also like you know the guys just doing his job, I'm assuming. Maybe not, maybe he's just a complete asshole and he just was being an asshole, um, but even if he was doing his job, like, if they're like, hey, we need to keep this area clear from people trying to beg for money or selling stuff, um, I think you know he kind of went about it the wrong way, based off the video. But who knows, maybe she was there and he told her to get lost. How many times, hey, you got to leave. You cannot be be here if you continue to sell your stuff. I'm gonna take it, you know, who knows? But the thing is, I guess the guy got fired. So I'm just kind of curious to know if, like, was he just being an asshole or was he kind of just doing his job? You know what? Was he instructed by his job, his bosses, you know, I don't know, but, like I said, it's like the kind of Filipinos are like.
Speaker 1:You have the two extremes, you know it's like, it's like, I don't know, I'm trying to like, okay, so the traffic, right, I talk about the traffic all the time and you got the really slow people, you got the really fast people, but for the most part it's like, if you confront, I had, I had this woman, I think she was. Yeah, my wife told me she was, I couldn't. But so we were at the mall. I don't know if I talked about this, this, but we were driving in the mall and we were kind of waiting. There's like all kinds of traffic because people are like waiting because somebody's gonna leave in the parking spot and they want to move, but they're like in the middle, there's nowhere for us to go. But this lady behind us was in like a freaking hurry, you know, acting like somebody's at her house, murdering her family or something. She's hon honking her horn. It's like, dude, I can't go anywhere. What are you? Are you honking at me like I didn't know? And so finally they go.
Speaker 1:So then I'm kind of driving and then I'm, I see a spot and I'm gonna turn. And then she's like right there and almost caused an accident, like she's hauling ass in a parking lot, you know whatever this and that. And then the guard there was the same kind of guard was there and he kind of was like, okay, you know, hey, this and that. And I was like, tell you know? I don't remember, I'm not good at the details, but I got back in the car to go down while the guard was dealing with her and I'm driving down and I'm about to pull into a spot and she does it again and I was like, dude, I was close to just smashing the shit out of her car. Um, that's what I'm saying. So I've been here five years and that's you know.
Speaker 1:As far as from the other individuals, you know. So like there are people that do asinine things, like that are, you know there's, there's a line of cars that are going bumper to bumper. Right, you got to turn left so they don't leave a gap for people that have to turn. They just, oh, screw you. Like all the time like they don't care, so it's like they can't go anywhere. So why what? What's the big deal about leaving a gap for people to turn left? You know what I mean. So stuff like that, right, really that kind of pisses me off. But so, like, a lot of people are just like, if you like, sit there and flip them off, or you know they're just like, they just smile nervously and whatever, and they know they messed up or whatever not everybody, but you know. And so there was one time where it was that instance. I was sitting there waiting and the traffic was just creeping and it was like a little bit of a gap, so like, okay, I'm gonna go. But then the guy pulls in like stop me. It's like, dude, where are you going? You can't go anywhere. Why can't you let me out? You know, and I flipped them off right Now.
Speaker 1:Has anybody seen a history of violence? History of violence, I think it's called. It's a good movie movie. If you haven't seen it, it's violent. Obviously I haven't watched it in a long time. I don't know if I would still feel the same, because a lot of messaging that was in hollywood that I didn't notice before, I notice now. So it's like I'll watch old movies that I liked and I'll be like what the crap, dude? And I'll turn it off and I'm like, well, I guess I won't watch that again, which sucks.
Speaker 1:But it happens like this movie went a little extreme with the bully. You know, bullying in schools it's like they kind of. You know, I was around bullying, I got bullied a little bit but I was, you know, I think everybody gets a little, but it's more like shit talking this and that. Like movies always kind of take it to, you know, to 11 with the bullying. It's like people a bully, I remember, would say stuff like, for instance, I remember playing like kickball right, and there was this kid in my school.
Speaker 1:He was massive dude, he was huge to us. I don't know if he got held back or he was just a big dude. I mean, he was a big dude but so he was kind of a bully because he could, you know, he just talked shit and you know, whatever, pick on everybody. Um, but we were playing kickball and he I remember I was up to play to kick the ball right, he was on my team and he was behind the, the dugout or the, the backstop and he's like and I and I had a. I had a nice watch, I don't know, I can't remember what kind, but it's like a casio. You know, this is before g-shock, I think, um, and he's like you better kick this or I'm gonna take your watch, or something like that, right, you know he says that, and then I kicked the ball and everything was good or whatever.
Speaker 1:But I think a lot of things that bullies would say, or or or or infer, never happened. And so movies and films kind of okay, well, let's see if the boys actually went through with what they, what they, their threats or whatever you know I mean. And so that's the only thing I I remember about the movie history of violence was there's these bullies picking on the kid of the main character and and it's like they just kind of turn it on like super hard, like dude is there, I don't know, it's just kind of anyway. But the point is so these bullies are, you know they're, they think they're badass and cocky, they're in high school, they're driving around and they almost cause an accident or whatever, something right. And the bully guy like he flips off and it's like in the other cars the two murderers that we've already established in the movie, and they're just like they're looking at him, like this right, and then the bully's like, oh crap, you know those guys are serious. And then, you know, they just drive, go their way, right.
Speaker 1:So when I was trying to get through this is a couple years ago too, so you know, nobody's letting us through and then I thought I was going to get through, then the guy kind of almost like cut us off, like dude, what the crap? And I flipped them off right and then, and then, and then the guy, the guy in the passenger seat, like rolls the window down and he looks just like the dude and he goes, and it made me laugh because it just reminded me of that, that movie, that scene and stuff like that, and uh, I just kind of wasn't expecting it. So, you know, for the most part, filipinos are pretty. You know they're uncomfortable with confrontation or any kind of friction. Um, not all of them, but you know, I would say you know most. You know it's just, but it's just kind of strange and I and I sit here, and I'm always sitting there like I'm just trying to figure it out in my head why I mean, I kind of get why the driving is so bad and this and that and just certain things.
Speaker 1:The customer service, okay, well, they don't get you know the same, they don't get the same perks as they do in the states and they have to pay for more. When I worked at Home Depot part-time for a little while and it's like I could, if somebody came in and was like, hey, I want to exchange this for a new one because it doesn't work or something, I could do it. I could just scan it and do it, no questions asked, for up to like $50. Here, no, no, they can't do anything like that. So I mean there are crazy things that are happen here and, aside from it being just a different country in a different, a different, uh, culture, you know it's like um, you just try and figure out the mentality by it, but, but I don't know, it's just a strange thing, man. It's just one of those things you know and I'm constantly trying to just figure it out, just so I can. Kind of not, because, man, I get so irritated driving around here.
Speaker 1:For those that know, you know and I guess I was talking to an old army buddy he travels a lot for work and right now he's in Saudi Arabia and he was explaining to me how they drive there and I'm like, dude, that's how they drive here. And so, from what I can tell Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. They drive the exact same, except Saudi Arabia has a a lot less mopeds, but they got more camels no, I'm joking about the camels, but, um, but they have. It's like basically taking the people all the philippines and going to america where they got street lights and signs and and painted lanes and clear where to go, you know I mean. So, like in saudi arabia, they have all that, but they still drive like mad men.
Speaker 1:Here it's a little more understandable, you know what I mean. So like in Saudi Arabia, they have all that, but they still drive like madmen. Here it's a little more understandable, you know what I mean. So I just thought that was kind of funny, but anyway, that's it. Um, I gotta remember to put that video in. Gotta remember, cause I remember the last time I was like, hey, I'm going to put a something here and I forgot. So I'll put a video in so people watching can see what I'm talking about. But that's about it. Thanks for watching, thanks for hanging out, I'll see you next time and God bless, all right, bye.
