Well, before I get to last night, let me tell you about my morning so far. I was doing my usual internet stroll when the housekeeping crew showed up to clean the room. So, I took a walk while they did their thing. I was looking for a pharmacy to score some cheap Cialis to bring home with me. And then it happened.
I got hit by a tuk-tuk. I was crossing a busy street, looking left for a break in the oncoming traffic. When I saw my opportunity to step out, I moved forward, and the next thing I knew, a tuk-tuk turning left onto the road blindsided me. Luckily, it was just a mirror into my arm; it could have been worse. The arm’s a little sore, but I’ll be fine. I’ll take the blame because I didn’t look to my right, although the tuk-tuk was making what should be an illegal turn in a civilized world. But again, that’s the downside to this city, not really safe for people who prefer to walk.
The pharmacy didn’t have Cialis, but I didn’t give them a hard *ahem* time about it. I was fine with the generic version. I was making my way back to the hotel, and a foreigner walking in the same direction greeted me and told me his tale of woe. He says he lost his passport and wallet and reported it to the police, but no one was willing to provide him with any assistance. He was on his way to a different police station hoping for a better result. Well, I’ll admit there were some “bullshit” lights coming on in my head, but on the other hand, he seemed strident and genuinely upset. Well, I’d hate to be in that situation if his story was true, and I’d also hate to be so desperate that I need to tell lies to random strangers to gain sympathy. He did seem surprised when I pulled out my wallet, gave him the equivalent of ten bucks in the local currency, and wished him well. He thanked me, and I walked on without further incident.
Okay, about last night, then. Denny and I had made tentative plans to do a river cruise, but when we walked to the dock, there were no scheduled departures for a couple of hours. I had done the cruise on my previous trip, and it was fine but not worth the wait.
We started at a place called Harry’s for a beer while we considered our dining options. Denny wanted to take me to pork chop place across town, but when I saw the Sunday special roast pork dinner on Harry’s menu, I said let’s eat here instead.
After dinner, I was in the mood to take a walk back to some of the places outside the neighborhood we’d visited earlier in the week.
Oh, and true confession time. It turns out the river I’ve been calling the Mekong isn’t the Mekong.
After a goodly walk, we finally found the bar I’d been looking for.
There was one incident that chilled the buzz somewhat. Shortly after the young lady pictured with me sat down with me; a customer came over, slammed a drink down on the table, cussed her out, then walked away in a huff. I asked her what that was all about, and she denied knowing. Hmm, well, there was absolutely no excuse for what that customer did, but I’m sure the girl did something to activate his asshole switch. My guess is that he bought her that drink, and she didn’t sit with him to drink it. Regular readers know I also have no tolerance for that kind of behavior, but I don’t scream and yell about it; I just never buy that girl a drink again.
We moved on to a couple of other bars, then Denny wanted to go to a place called One 3 Six Bar. He had a lady friend who worked then he wanted to see.
Two or three drinks into our relationship, I saw her talking with a newly arrived customer. I figured she was just taking his order (the girls are technically waitresses), but then I saw her move back behind the bar and start making a lady drink. When she saw that I had caught her “cheating,” she came back over to the drink I’d bought her. I told her to go be with her customer. I was upset but not yelling or cussing. The other customer saw what was going on and came over to apologize. I told him that wasn’t necessary; I was glad to know the nature of this girl’s character and that she would not be getting any more drinks from me. She was not happy with my response and stormed off. I saw her other customer leave shortly thereafter. Come on, if you are going to be a bargirl, learn how to play the game.
One more drink back at the bar by my hotel, and I called it a night.
Time to pack, then off for lunch at Denny’s house.
I much prefer the honest approach of “Say, pardon me, but could you help out a fellow American who’s down on his luck?”
Doesn’t mean I will, but it’s straightforward. Hard luck stories from strangers should usually be met with directions to the embassy, which ain’t far in PP. I’d be more sympathetic off in the boonies. Your generosity is admirable, but if his story were true, what difference would ten bucks really make?
Glad to see that your bar hopping days still have some excitement even in foreign lands
Sorry to hear you got clipped by a tuk-tuk. While what happened absolutely sucks, I’m happy it wasn’t worse, or you might have found yourself in Cambodia for a lot longer than expected.
That roast-pork dish looks good. And now, I’m hungry all of a sudden.
Is Cialis harder to find in the PI? Asking for a friend.
Ah, women and their drama. Here’s some Bill Burr to lighten the mood.
Enjoy your final night. Safe flight back to the PI.
When I was reading the tale of the guy who lost his passport and wallet, couldn’t help visualizing and hearing it in the voice of the whiny man-child subway beggar in Falling Down. You do seem to attract those eyeing an easy five to ten greenbacks. The bar girls are an international scandal. And don’t they ever show signs of being pissed up?
Fair play on that 👏 👌
not yelling or getting upset about the situation was the smart play
Are there so few bargirls in PP bars that such an event can occur to you twice in one night?
Either way, the girl still made her minimum drinks quota since you’d both already paid for the drinks.
You and I, along with any sane man, may see this short-term thinking and attempt to make quick bucks without having to pretend to enjoy a patron’s company any longer than necessary as baffling. Perhaps from the girls’ perspective it’s just a numbers game. The more a variety of customers she sees, the higher the chances that she’ll never ever have to finish any drink bought for her, and yet float like a butterfly from customers while staying almost sober the whole night 🌙
besides, at least one of those customers will be gone from the city the next day and she’ll run the same game plan on the next set of lovestruck customers with fat wallets.
The girl may have not have an Advanced Psychology or Economics degree, but she does understand the laws of averages in this line of work. Sooner or later she’ll reel in a big fish and she’ll spend the next few months at home, receiving a large allowance from a lovestruck special client who’s saving her from the bar 🍸
once he catches her double-dipping after she had promised never to return to the bar, then she’ll be back working the same scene ; much older and less attractive. And thus continues the cycle.
At least your cycle seems more manageable. All she does is drink all night with strangers, and all you do is pay for it and try to make friends.
At least you got to see some of your new friends during the day as well
I feel sorry for the customer who felt the need to shout. You exercised a bit more restraint , but I suspect this may be another experience that will spoil your generous spirit and sunny disposition.
It’s important that you totally believe that the friendships you have with bargirls is real and authentic, and not to think about the money. In any case, it doesn’t matter. They need money, you have money. You need companionship, they provide companionship.
You’re good at doing your part, and we all know you’d benefit from a bargirl who’s so good at her part she’ll restore your faith in this system 🙏
“Are there so few bargirls in PP bars that such an event can occur to you twice in one night?”
Actually, quite the opposite. I’ve never seen so many gals packed in so many bars. It was really amazing. As for their motivation, who knows? Your theory is as good as mine. Plus, to them, I’m just another tourist they’ll never see again, so why not take advantage? You’re right, though; it’s a vicious cycle for many of these women. Maybe I should be more sympathetic.
“In any case, it doesn’t matter. They need money, you have money. You need companionship, they provide companionship.”
Yep, you get what you pay for. It’s all part of the game.
Dan, Yeah, but at least in this beggar’s case, he didn’t come right out and ask for money. I heard his tale of woe, started to walk away, then decided to give him the pocket money he needed, even if his story was bullshit.
The PP bargirls far outnumber the available customers. I guess that leads to desperation. And desperate girls will behave accordingly.
Kev, Yes, I got lucky in a different kind of way, that’s for sure.
And I did make the right decision on my dinner selection, tasted even better than it looks.
You can find Cialis here in the PI; it is just very expensive. Bargain prices in PP, so I stocked up.
Thanks for the link; it was hilarious. I can’t believe the woke mob hasn’t come for him.
James, you gotta go with your strengths.