Quote Originally Posted by Scrutiny61 View Post
Hi to all,

My lady lives and works in Manila (Pasay City & Makati City respectively) She works long hours as a waitress/cashier in a Japanese restaurant; split shifts from 11am - 2pm & 6pm till 11pm six days a week. We usually chat after she finishes her evening shift until 2-3am Phils time. She has to chat to me in an internet cafe as she doesn't possess a pc at home.

The thing that really worries me is that she often has to make her own way home in the small hours and as you can guess this scares the living dayllights out of me as I've heard many bad things about Manila. Now, I've read all the excellent advice posted by experienced members of this forum regarding sending money to girls you are in a LDR with. We have been chatting for approximately six weeks and have become very close but obviously have not yet met in person.

At no time has she ever asked for money though she does mention now and again that things are tough financially and that she supports her parents. I plan to visit Phils as soon as I can save enough money to travel, but her having to be in internet cafes, very late at night and alone is quite frankly a worry (there was a fight in one of them the other night!). When i ask her about this she says that she is scared too but she didn't like to mention it to me.

So, I mentioned that I would like to send her money for a laptop/pc so she could chat to me in safety & privately etc but told her also that this would mean it would be longer before I could get to Phils. She replied that she didn't want the pc she just wanted me to come to Phils as soon as possible. However I insisted on her personal safety being paramount and she did soften her stance a little. I also asked her to promise me that the money would go towards a pc/laptop and not to any other "need" that may arise...I think this didn't go down well as she was very cool for about half a day and sent me txt messages saying she didnt want me to send money and trust issues etc...the only reason I asked her to do this was that I suppose I still have my scammer alert on and am being cautious about sending money as we have not yet met.

My instinct is good with this lady though, as I mentioned earlier she has never asked for money, she has in fact been at pains to point out that she has her own money and likes to pay her own way; she's even sent me a roaming sim card (still not arrived yet) out of her own pocket & when I suggest that I pay for it she says no its ok. I suppose her salary is reasonable by Phil standards (15,000 - 17,000 pesos per month) & she runs sidelines selling Avon stuff and clothes etc; Oh, and she has also said she would put any extra money towards a a laptop/ pc (I said I'd send £200)

I know the general consensus is not to send money untill you have actually met, but I can't stand the thought of her being in those cafes and having to go home alone late at night. My instinct is that she is a genuine Pinay sweetheart & maybe this Tampo over money piqued her pride a little? Would appreciate advice from all especially Pinay ladies...


Thank you so much for your time and anticipated advice

Scrutiny

hello there that is very nice of you. But did you say you chat when she finishes her evening shift? and what time is that? 11pm? so internet cafe now open till late? if thats the case then its not really safe. I used to live in Pasay City near the Philtranco Terminal station. She earns about 15K+ as a waitress/cashier? thats good money in Phils. My husband BF that time sent me money as well after 7 months of chatting, he sent me to school ha ha. (Caregiver) If you are happy to give then thats ok and she will put some money towards it ,,she will need to as £200 is not enough for a laptop in Phil...so if you send now and she dont have the money to put in then you might be upset if she dont get it the time you want her to buy it. ..