meeting her family for the first TIME!!!

[charlie&pam 1]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well, everyone is different, when My bf (now is my hubby) visited Me first time He asked me what kind of a gift He will bring for me and to My Family, I told him it doesn't really a big deal, just let see if We click in person cause it's different when We are communicating in the phone or in the internet. and if We click in person, maybe in your 2 or 3 visits you can bring me or send Me a gift, as long as that is what you like to do,but the most important thing is, just be yourself. What I'm trying to say here is, some women are not comfortable to accept a gift from a stranger. don't get Me wrong I never said accepting a gift from a stranger is wrong. however, if I have to request a gift from My fiance, I'm sure is not toys,soaps,or an old clothes. it should be flowers or a yummy good chocolate.

anyway, o.p. go ahead and give them gifts.

also what about the gift giving process she is telling me soaps & perfumes for the girls and toys and candy for the kids but what i don't understand she told me to bring my old clothes for the men????? is that really ok? ......and my last question is when would me a good time to formally ask her dad for his daughters hand? Do I do it at the party? Thank you all!!!!!

thank you .....she has alot of nieces and nephews so I was going to go to the dollar store to pick things up there...lol

Try go to the SALVATION ARMY I figured the things they sell are NOT ALL second hand, there are plenty of name brands clothes, toys etc. just went there yesterday bought a figurine; and an old dolls collection which you can't find in most stores.:

good idea

[Joseph & Ana 0]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well regardless of all that - if it happened or didn't happen - the bottom line is that you love eachother and you want to be together. Just be sure of it, and if you are, you should be together, and you'll be happy.

Thats all.

[charlie&pam 1]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

Lol, that's kinda my point. The TOWN SCHOOL was even wanting some of the action, how much more her relatives. You lucked out that they didn't actually ask YOU, but i can almost guarantee you that your girl dealt with it when she was alone with them.

so you think that they are giving her a hard time? how should I ask her about that I know she is a very proud but timid person

[Brian&Naty 0]

ok thank you ......she said that her father is a councilman for something like that? what is that ????? Is that why they want it to be a big thing?

Probably because they want to invite the whole barrio, they're going to invite plenty of people; and that is including the father friends and co-workers etc. Her father is a COUNCELOR work in the barangay,a job something related for the goverment.

SO THAT MEANS I AM GOING TO BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE!!!! GREAT LIKE I AM NOT NERVOUS ENOUGH!!!!! LOL

Bro, relax, these are a simple, kind and special people. Its the reason we marry their daughters. You will be very surprised to find you will be treated like a rock star!!!!. You will be called SIR, you will have doors opened for you. The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you. The men will shake your hand gladly and smile. Be yourself. The fact he is a Counselor should not make a difference.

The only hard hard thing about this whole trip? ...............Will be leaving. ENJOY and quit worrying so much.

Let me suggest to you two tings to bring with you to give to her as a gift.

1. A Laptop. if she is chatting to you from a cafe, this will be the best gift anyone can bring.

2. a Digital camera. Let her collect photos of her family and friends and familiar places before she leaves her home.

Both gifts I brought to Naty and she was grateful and thanks me even now. Oh, make sure the camera uses AA batteries which they have plenty of. Also the Laptop will work as the adapter is rated for both 110 and 220.

[charlie&pam 1]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well regardless of all that - if it happened or didn't happen - the bottom line is that you love eachother and you want to be together. Just be sure of it, and if you are, you should be together, and you'll be happy.

Thats all.

quick and to the point i like how you think about it all

ok thank you ......she said that her father is a councilman for something like that? what is that ????? Is that why they want it to be a big thing?

Probably because they want to invite the whole barrio, they're going to invite plenty of people; and that is including the father friends and co-workers etc. Her father is a COUNCELOR work in the barangay,a job something related for the goverment.

SO THAT MEANS I AM GOING TO BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE!!!! GREAT LIKE I AM NOT NERVOUS ENOUGH!!!!! LOL

Bro, relax, these are a simple, kind and special people. Its the reason we marry their daughters. You will be very surprised to find you will be treated like a rock star!!!!. You will be called SIR, you will have doors opened for you. The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you. The men will shake your hand gladly and smile. Be yourself. The fact he is a Counselor should not make a difference.

The only hard hard thing about this whole trip? ...............Will be leaving. ENJOY and quit worrying so much.

Let me suggest to you two tings to bring with you to give to her as a gift.

1. A Laptop. if she is chatting to you from a cafe, this will be the best gift anyone can bring.

2. a Digital camera. Let her collect photos of her family and friends and familiar places before she leaves her home.

Both gifts I brought to Naty and she was grateful and thanks me even now. Oh, make sure the camera uses AA batteries which they have plenty of. Also the Laptop will work as the adapter is rated for both 110 and 220.

great idea

[bulaklak 0]

I just bought 1 big pig 2 months ago it cost about 3,500 pesos. but if you want to buy already roasted pig it will cost more than than.

I think 2 or 3 pigs are enough for the whole barrio.

[muñequita linda 0]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well, everyone is different, when My bf (now is my hubby) visited Me first time He asked me what kind of a gift He will bring for me and to My Family, I told him it doesn't really a big deal, just let see if We click in person cause it's different when We are communicating in the phone or in the internet. and if We click in person, maybe in your 2 or 3 visits you can bring me or send Me a gift, as long as that is what you like to do,but the most important thing is, just be yourself. What I'm trying to say here is, some women are not comfortable to accept a gift from a stranger. don't get Me wrong I never said accepting a gift from a stranger is wrong. however, if I have to request a gift from My fiance, I'm sure is not toys,soaps,or an old clothes. it should be flowers or a yummy good chocolate.

anyway, o.p. go ahead and give them gifts.

also what about the gift giving process she is telling me soaps & perfumes for the girls and toys and candy for the kids but what i don't understand she told me to bring my old clothes for the men????? is that really ok? ......and my last question is when would me a good time to formally ask her dad for his daughters hand? Do I do it at the party? Thank you all!!!!!

thank you .....she has alot of nieces and nephews so I was going to go to the dollar store to pick things up there...lol

Try go to the SALVATION ARMY I figured the things they sell are NOT ALL second hand, there are plenty of name brands clothes, toys etc. just went there yesterday bought a figurine; and an old dolls collection which you can't find in most stores.:

good idea

No, giving gifts from the Salvation Army or any other thrift store for that matter is a very bad idea. You don't want your sweetheart's relatives and friends to be using recycled things, some of them coming from dead people. Your used clothes may be okay as hand me downs though. You could be in trouble now; she could have read your good idea about buying Salvation Army merchandise.

[bulaklak 0]

Bro, relax, these are a simple, kind and special people. Its the reason we marry their daughters. You will be very surprised to find You you will be treated like a rock star!!!!. will be called SIR, you will have doors opened for you. The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you. The men will shake your hand gladly and smile. Be yourself. The fact he is a Counselor should not make a difference.

The only hard hard thing about this whole trip? ...............Will be leaving. ENJOY and quit worrying so much.

People in the PI address the stranger "SIR" to Filipino or NON Filipino people. so, don't surprise about it. it's a way of respecting too.

People there will "OPEN DOOR" for anyone because most doors there are NOT AUTOMATIC. did you notice in the bank or in SM MALL there are 2 or 3 guards in the door standing up to open the door for the people to come in. not only that for other security reason also.

[charlie&pam 1]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well, everyone is different, when My bf (now is my hubby) visited Me first time He asked me what kind of a gift He will bring for me and to My Family, I told him it doesn't really a big deal, just let see if We click in person cause it's different when We are communicating in the phone or in the internet. and if We click in person, maybe in your 2 or 3 visits you can bring me or send Me a gift, as long as that is what you like to do,but the most important thing is, just be yourself. What I'm trying to say here is, some women are not comfortable to accept a gift from a stranger. don't get Me wrong I never said accepting a gift from a stranger is wrong. however, if I have to request a gift from My fiance, I'm sure is not toys,soaps,or an old clothes. it should be flowers or a yummy good chocolate.

anyway, o.p. go ahead and give them gifts.

also what about the gift giving process she is telling me soaps & perfumes for the girls and toys and candy for the kids but what i don't understand she told me to bring my old clothes for the men????? is that really ok? ......and my last question is when would me a good time to formally ask her dad for his daughters hand? Do I do it at the party? Thank you all!!!!!

thank you .....she has alot of nieces and nephews so I was going to go to the dollar store to pick things up there...lol

Try go to the SALVATION ARMY I figured the things they sell are NOT ALL second hand, there are plenty of name brands clothes, toys etc. just went there yesterday bought a figurine; and an old dolls collection which you can't find in most stores.:

good idea

No, giving gifts from the Salvation Army or any other thrift store for that matter is a very bad idea. You don't want your sweetheart's relatives and friends to be using recycled things, some of them coming from dead people. Your used clothes may be okay as hand me downs though. You could be in trouble now; she could have read your good idea about buying Salvation Army merchandise.

hehe ....i showed her the site but she said that she really doesnt understand it .....

Bro, relax, these are a simple, kind and special people. Its the reason we marry their daughters. You will be very surprised to find You you will be treated like a rock star!!!!. will be called SIR, you will have doors opened for you. The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you. The men will shake your hand gladly and smile. Be yourself. The fact he is a Counselor should not make a difference.

The only hard hard thing about this whole trip? ...............Will be leaving. ENJOY and quit worrying so much.

People in the PI address the stranger "SIR" to Filipino or NON Filipino people. so, don't surprise about it. it's a way of respecting too.

People there will "OPEN DOOR" for anyone because most doors there are NOT AUTOMATIC. did you notice in the bank or in SM MALL there are 2 or 3 guards in the door standing up to open the door for the people to come in. not only that for other security reason also.

lol

[bulaklak 0]

Bro, relax, these are a simple, kind and special people. Its the reason we marry their daughters. You will be very surprised to find You you will be treated like a rock star!!!!. will be called SIR, you will have doors opened for you. The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you. The men will shake your hand gladly and smile. Be yourself. The fact he is a Counselor should not make a difference.

The only hard hard thing about this whole trip? ...............Will be leaving. ENJOY and quit worrying so much.

People in the PI address the stranger "SIR" to Filipino or NON Filipino people. so, don't surprise about it. it's a way of respecting too.

People there will "OPEN DOOR" for anyone because most doors there are NOT AUTOMATIC. did you notice in the bank or in SM MALL there are 2 or 3 guards in the door standing up to open the door for the people to come in. also, for other security reason.

.

The girls will giggle and sneak looks at you.

SOME, not ALL. last time I was there in SM mall I've seen a disable guy with a young and pretty pinay holding hands together.

The men will shake your hand gladly and smile.

That is normal too, local men will do the same to other local.

[rockhouse 1]

You're basically gonna step off the plane as Donald Trump in their eyes. My girl was constantly bombarded with financial requests from just about every relative. The requests ranged from buying MP3 players for cousins, to paying other relative's debts off. Some of which were hundreds of dollars.

Quite honestly that was the worst thing about the PI for me. It seemed like EVERY SINGLE person wanted money from me. It got old real quick and even started to wear me out in a very negative way.

Be prepared, and be stern with your girl with regards to your budget.

really that bad???? so did it ruin your trip?

Nah man, not at all. My girl is worth every grief in the world. The second trip was better though cause i knew to expect it. I have helped her family alot, and will continue to as long as i am with my girl. They just have an old-school mind-set that if you're Amerikano, you're rich.

As far as being in public, if you've ever been to Mexico, it's kinda like that. You know, like if you're walking to a taxi, some random guy will jump in front of you and act like HE'S the reason it stopped. Then he asks for money. Or if you're pulling into a parking spot, some dude will run up and GUIDE you into the spot, lol, then ask for money.

Then there's the actual beggars. If you eat at a fast food restaurant near the street, be sure and sit away from the windows, or atleast YOU don't face the windows...it's hard to eat when 5-10 kids have their faces smashed against the glass with agonizing looks of pain on their faces.

If you watch them fter you give them money usually you'll see them run off to go gamble it away or buy something to huff on.

All this stuff is expected in any 3rd world country IMO.

Edited August 18, 2009 by rockhouse

[bulaklak 0]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well, everyone is different, when My bf (now is my hubby) visited Me first time He asked me what kind of a gift He will bring for me and to My Family, I told him it doesn't really a big deal, just let see if We click in person cause it's different when We are communicating in the phone or in the internet. and if We click in person, maybe in your 2 or 3 visits you can bring me or send Me a gift, as long as that is what you like to do,but the most important thing is, just be yourself. What I'm trying to say here is, some women are not comfortable to accept a gift from a stranger. don't get Me wrong I never said accepting a gift from a stranger is wrong. however, if I have to request a gift from My fiance, I'm sure is not toys,soaps,or an old clothes. it should be flowers or a yummy good chocolate.

anyway, o.p. go ahead and give them gifts.

also what about the gift giving process she is telling me soaps & perfumes for the girls and toys and candy for the kids but what i don't understand she told me to bring my old clothes for the men????? is that really ok? ......and my last question is when would me a good time to formally ask her dad for his daughters hand? Do I do it at the party? Thank you all!!!!!

thank you .....she has alot of nieces and nephews so I was going to go to the dollar store to pick things up there...lol

Try go to the SALVATION ARMY I figured the things they sell are NOT ALL second hand, there are plenty of name brands clothes, toys etc. just went there yesterday bought a figurine; and an old dolls collection which you can't find in most stores.:

good idea

No, giving gifts from the Salvation Army or any other thrift store for that matter is a very bad idea. You don't want your sweetheart's relatives and friends to be using recycled things, some of them coming from dead people. Your used clothes may be okay as hand me downs though. You could be in trouble now; she could have read your good idea about buying Salvation Army merchandise.

LOL..I expected this kind of answer....I was thinking the same thing about it too.

I was not really serious about it. it's up to the o.p. He is adult and I'm sure He know's what He's doing... yes, it is not a good idea to buy used things as gifts.

[bulaklak 0]

I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.

sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well, everyone is different, when My bf (now is my hubby) visited Me first time He asked me what kind of a gift He will bring for me and to My Family, I told him it doesn't really a big deal, just let see if We click in person cause it's different when We are communicating in the phone or in the internet. and if We click in person, maybe in your 2 or 3 visits you can bring me or send Me a gift, as long as that is what you like to do,but the most important thing is, just be yourself. What I'm trying to say here is, some women are not comfortable to accept a gift from a stranger. don't get Me wrong I never said accepting a gift from a stranger is wrong. however, if I have to request a gift from My fiance, I'm sure is not toys,soaps,or an old clothes. it should be flowers or a yummy good chocolate.

anyway, o.p. go ahead and give them gifts.

also what about the gift giving process she is telling me soaps & perfumes for the girls and toys and candy for the kids but what i don't understand she told me to bring my old clothes for the men????? is that really ok? ......and my last question is when would me a good time to formally ask her dad for his daughters hand? Do I do it at the party? Thank you all!!!!!

thank you .....she has alot of nieces and nephews so I was going to go to the dollar store to pick things up there...lol

Try go to the SALVATION ARMY I figured the things they sell are NOT ALL second hand, there are plenty of name brands clothes, toys etc. just went there yesterday bought a figurine; and an old dolls collection which you can't find in most stores.:

good idea

No, giving gifts from the Salvation Army or any other thrift store for that matter is a very bad idea. You don't want your sweetheart's relatives and friends to be using recycled things, some of them coming from dead people. Your used clothes may be okay as hand me downs though. You could be in trouble now; she could have read your good idea about buying Salvation Army merchandise.

LOL..I expected this kind of answer....I was thinking the same thing about it too.

I was not really serious about it. it's up to the o.p. He is adult and I'm sure He know's what He's doing... yes, it is not a good idea to buy used things as gifts.

If you are rich O.P. I suggest go to this store http://www.neimanmarcus.com/

[huntherx17 0]

You'd be fine with the chocolates. Brand clothes are ok but you really dont want to show off as someone rich. Even when they consider 'Fruit of the Loom' a cool brand. Bring gifts specifically for the Mom and the Dad. In the Philippines, there is a saying that courting the girl means courting her parents.

Mano or putting the back of the hand to your forehead is a must. Dont kiss anyone, not even in the hand. They may look pleased, but theyd be disgusted if your lips touch their hands, especially because you're a guy.

Be prepared to answer questions like what you do for living, do you go to church, how's your parents and what do they do kind of stuff.

Oh and if the dad or brothers ask you to drink with them, dont drink too much. Sometimes they use that as a test to makes sure your not some alcoholic loser marrying their daughter.

When you eat the mom or the dad's cooking, always say it tastes good no matter what it tastes like.

I grew up in the Philippines so I know this stuff. Good luck!

[sasha414 0]

the first time my husband met my dad, he shook my dad's hand . each time he arrives from the usa and before he leaves, he does it. he also shakes hands with my relatives whenever i introduce him. im not so sure about the hand me downs but since your girl says you can bring your old clothes, then i guess thats ok with them. each family is different and some families might not feel comfortable with that. all i can say is, dont do anything that will also make you uncomfortable, just be yourself. and try to be wary about too much money spending. dont make them think you have so much to spare since i believe this might cause a problem in the future.