I am often amused by the howls of protest coming from politicians whenever negative travel advisories are issued by foreign governments.
First, governments have a right to do what they think is necessary to protect its citizens, and that includes telling them when their safety is at risk when they visit a certain country.
Second, these are merely "advisories," which their citizens may or may not follow; they're not banning their citizens from traveling to our country outright.
Third, most of the time, these advisories aren't entirely untrue. If you've lived in the Philippines your whole life, then you know that if some terrorist wanted to bomb every single mall in Manila, he or she could do that.
But this isn't about anything remotely as serious as that.
Last weekend I started the New Year on the right foot-that is, with a big laugh-when I read about the US Embassy's newest advisory about the Philippines.
From the Manila Standard:
US issues 'driving advisory' on RP
By Joyce Pangco Pañares
VISITING American diplomats have been warned - not about terrorist attacks or other security threats but about the dangers posed by Manila drivers.
"For most Americans, the most frustrating aspect of traffic is the uniquely Filipino style of driving, which is often erratic and unpredictable," says a recent post report sent by the US embassy in Manila to Washington. "Those with orderly driving habits may find it difficult to adjust to the chaos of Manila's streets... In Manila, caution is the golden rule."
Manila traffic, the embassy says, can only be appreciated by experiencing firsthand the unique environment combined with Filipino's driving skills.
"Lane markings and crosswalks are mere suggestions, and stop signs might as well be in Braille. (Emphasis mine. Ha ha ha ha!) Of the few working stoplights, they are too long when obeyed and too dangerous when not. Buses stop in the middle of the streets, allowing passengers to exit into oncoming traffic," the report continues.
The embassy also described Filipino drivers' predilection for changing lanes without warning as a game of "chicken" - where the first to give way to an overtaking vehicle or a pedestrian trying to cross the street loses.
"Drivers also turn into oncoming traffic when the proper lane is too congested, while pedestrians and cars play a dangerous game of 'chicken' to see who will get to the intersection first."
The report doesn't vilify Filipino drivers, however, giving them credit for being "remarkably polite and less prone to road rage than their American counterparts."
Hilarious.
About the only thing I dispute here is the part where the report says that Filipino drivers are "remarkably polite and less prone to road rage than their American counterparts," a statement that is either (A) the result of glaring typographical errors (they neglected to put "im" before polite, and typed "less" when it should be "more") or (B) a lame at attempt at trying to be diplomatic.
I wonder if any politician will have the audacity to challenge this advisory.
First, governments have a right to do what they think is necessary to protect its citizens, and that includes telling them when their safety is at risk when they visit a certain country.
Second, these are merely "advisories," which their citizens may or may not follow; they're not banning their citizens from traveling to our country outright.
Third, most of the time, these advisories aren't entirely untrue. If you've lived in the Philippines your whole life, then you know that if some terrorist wanted to bomb every single mall in Manila, he or she could do that.
But this isn't about anything remotely as serious as that.
Last weekend I started the New Year on the right foot-that is, with a big laugh-when I read about the US Embassy's newest advisory about the Philippines.
From the Manila Standard:
US issues 'driving advisory' on RP
By Joyce Pangco Pañares
VISITING American diplomats have been warned - not about terrorist attacks or other security threats but about the dangers posed by Manila drivers.
"For most Americans, the most frustrating aspect of traffic is the uniquely Filipino style of driving, which is often erratic and unpredictable," says a recent post report sent by the US embassy in Manila to Washington. "Those with orderly driving habits may find it difficult to adjust to the chaos of Manila's streets... In Manila, caution is the golden rule."
Manila traffic, the embassy says, can only be appreciated by experiencing firsthand the unique environment combined with Filipino's driving skills.
"Lane markings and crosswalks are mere suggestions, and stop signs might as well be in Braille. (Emphasis mine. Ha ha ha ha!) Of the few working stoplights, they are too long when obeyed and too dangerous when not. Buses stop in the middle of the streets, allowing passengers to exit into oncoming traffic," the report continues.
The embassy also described Filipino drivers' predilection for changing lanes without warning as a game of "chicken" - where the first to give way to an overtaking vehicle or a pedestrian trying to cross the street loses.
"Drivers also turn into oncoming traffic when the proper lane is too congested, while pedestrians and cars play a dangerous game of 'chicken' to see who will get to the intersection first."
The report doesn't vilify Filipino drivers, however, giving them credit for being "remarkably polite and less prone to road rage than their American counterparts."
Hilarious.
About the only thing I dispute here is the part where the report says that Filipino drivers are "remarkably polite and less prone to road rage than their American counterparts," a statement that is either (A) the result of glaring typographical errors (they neglected to put "im" before polite, and typed "less" when it should be "more") or (B) a lame at attempt at trying to be diplomatic.
I wonder if any politician will have the audacity to challenge this advisory.
1 comment:
we have the best drivers in the world.. we have the worst drivers in the world.. anyway, nice, cozy place you got here :)..
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