Prima Donna, Pseudo Brokers and the Folks Who Bug Me
PRIMA DONNA
Last week, a friend of mine who owns a ritzy hotel brought over a woman from out-of-town who was looking for a place to stay so she could be away from relatives and review for the bar exams this September. It was mid-May and she knew she was running out of time. Let’s call this bar reviewee Donna.
Having studied once upon a time at U.P. Law, and undergone Bar Ops yearly for all my friends, classmates and org-mates, I knew she was getting desperate, and told her regretfully that my B&B was full up for another two weeks. The price she was willing to pay, that was to include 3 meals a day, utilities, housekeeping, laundry, plus maybe a trip to my “potent nuns” in La Union, did not really matter. I could commiserate with her dilemma of finding suitable lodging right in the middle of Baguio’s peak season.
So I called everyone I knew, as if she were an old friend. As it happened, no one wanted to take her in because all rooms were taken or they did not offer “board,” convents would not allow folks to stay longer than 5 days, and other places were just too noisy for her. Donna went around looking and came back that night, insisting she really preferred to stay at my place. Flattered yet worried that she was on a tight budget, I just decided she was going to be my “charity” for the next 3 months.
Since I love to work problems out, I figured out a solution. Have her stay at a friend’s townhouse, impose on his mom to take care of this stranger for two weeks, pay her a pro-rated rate, and then we would take over. What I thought was important was that she start reviewing post haste. Donna took one look at the place and agreed that it would suit her fine in the meantime.
Well, this is what happened …
She went home to get her things, and came back 5 days later with an older sister and nephew in tow. We took them to the townhouse once again so they could help her unpack. The sister and nephew asked to stay the night. My friend’s mom agreed and had the helper cook dinner for them all.
But it seems that Donna’s mom had issues about letting a 40-year old daughter off to pursue her dreams and sent a reluctant 26-year old nephew to tend to her full time. This nephew could not stand the remote location of the townhouse because, at his age, he was on “party mode.” My friend’s mom was uncomfortable with having an adult male stranger around as they were all women in that house. I was having issues because I was not prepared to have two adults lodge with me at the tight budget price of one.
So we told Donna that the original deal was for a single adult and not two. And she seemed upset, thinking probably that since she was paying for a room, she could stuff as many folks as she wanted in it. But her deal was for board and lodging, which means food, utilities and services are included. Had I known that the whole clan was planning to visit and stay over from time to time, I would have said no in the first place. In fact I started thinking, how do I manage to get myself into situations like this?
You see, when I moved up to Baguio, I decided I was going to be extra generous, helpful and kind. I was going to make my mark here by setting a good example in a small town with folks killing each other to make a living. I was going to pay my employees well, give them benefits much like my companies in Manila, focus on training, focus on building a network of businesses helping each other out. But, more often than not, folks see kindness as a sign of weakness. So that’s when I return to my “Manila-mode” and put my foot down. Sometimes I even say, “People, just because I’m nice does not mean I am stupid.”
So here I am thinking that people are such “takers.” Here’s someone whom I don’t know from Eve, who plops herself for two whole days at my veranda and asks me to help her. After we get her settled in, she comes back the next day and complains that my friend’s mom would not allow her nephew to stay with her, pretends to me that she had left full payment for one week when what she did was to take it back, and did not even offer to pay for lodging and meals for 3 adults for one night. In the Philippines we say, “Ang kapal ng mukha!”
My advice for Donna: read up on obligations and contracts, especially novation.
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PSEUDO BROKERS
As you can see from this story above, the rule is: when one rents a house and pays for utilities and all other expenses, one is charged a flat rate for the area used, regardless of the number of occupants. When services are included, folks are charged by the head.
Then last week, I was approached by 3 middle-aged women pretending to be brokers. They wanted me to take in 30 Koreans for 15,000/month for 2 months with meals, laundry, housekeeping, security and all the extras like computers for their internet connection. Then when I asked them what referral commission they were expecting, they said 20%!
I told them jokingly if they wanted that rate they had to help me with the cooking, cleaning and laundry. Even if the amount is reasonable for short term, they cannot possibly expect to get a commission even from my labor and services and food cost for imported ingredients. I also suggested that they rent the annex for a much lower flat rate and do all the work themselves. I explained that they were not just renting rooms. They wanted the whole shebang! And the shebang had costs. I explained that being single and childless, my needs are small. So I can say no to a totally inequitable deal.
The whole point of living and making a living is to be the best at what you do, have fun while you’re doing it, and leave your mark behind. The same way I will always propose a win-win deal is the same way I will never enter into a win-lose situation.
A registered real estate broker expects a 5% commission on a long term deal. This deal was for 2 months. The most reasonable commission one should ask for is 10% maximum. I told them I was willing to give 10% on the lodging component but none on the “board.” They never came back.
These people were plum greedy, or stupid, or greedy and stupid.
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FOLKS WHO BUG ME
Then there are the cab drivers and other pseudo brokers who constantly ring my doorbell or call my landline, ask to enter the house, try to impress me by saying they have many clients, and ask for a 40% referral commission on room nights. These people have nothing better to do. They literally bug me.
I like my privacy, I offer my guests privacy, security and comfort. Walk-in guests are hardly accepted but we do “rescue” some folks who have unwittingly checked into a seedy neighborhood or hotel.
So what did I have to do to get rid of all those who keep shouting from outside “Magkano ang beer ninyo?” or ring me for a commission, or just plain want to enter the premises to “inspect” it? I took down my sign last December. You see, it did have my phone number, plus the words “Rooms & Suites,” “Eats and Drinks,” “Parties & Conferences” and folks kept thinking that was an invitation.
Did that affect my occupancy? Not at all.
Did that affect my privacy and that of my guests? For the better.
Did it stop people from bugging me? Somewhat. The taxi drivers have stopped coming, but the bored housewives know of me.
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And folks who really know me know that I am a very, very friendly, patient, and accommodating person. But I guard my space as fiercely as I respect the privacy of others.
When I blog, I am inviting you to enter my life. When I have a website, I am inviting everyone to gather as much information from it as they can. When I have a stand-alone restaurant, everyone is invited to walk in and satisfy their taste buds.
But when it is a bed & breakfast inn, prior reservations are required. Because there are others lodging here and they deserve to be very comfortable. I do have a beautiful place. And I love showing it off. All the photos are available on the web. But everything, including occular inspections, are by appointment. My guests appreciate that. And that’s what matters.
re: prima donna: hello?! you’re running a business, not a charitable house ano!
referrals: hahahaha they make me laugh! my mom is in real estate though. but not on rentals or sorts of things like those pseudo-brokers you mentioned.
re: coffee! ^_^ (so i’m just gonna copy what i wrote in my blog in response to your very sincere offer, assuming you didn’t get around in reading it) oh it’s my first time to hear about atenara house. went to your site and found the link. why did i never hear of that chic place? i’d love to have coffee there! (and the all you can eat buffet LOL) here’s a another idea, how about rounding up all the baguio bloggers and have a little get together in atenara? *wink, wink*
Let’s do that. The older UP “commie” kids used to hang around Atenara when it was a cafe at Nevada Square. My market now are out-of-towners because it’s all about lodging & seminars (restaurant is by prior reservation only). I try to keep it very quiet and exclusive. Great idea about bloggers in Baguio getting together. Let me find a strategic date and issue an invite. Start making your list.
What a “croc” Miss Prima Donna is! She hasn’t pass the board yet, and her credibility already is minus zero. Quite a dangerous corrupt politician in the making here…btw baguio born and raised. Great site also. Will come by your place (Atenara Resto right?)one of these days. Cheers..
Re: prima donna: a law graduate who doesn’t read contracts. hmmm. that’s scary! A 40 year old with a chaperone(sounds like a spoiled lady)? That’s so funny. I really don’t know how these kind of people think. Did you make her and the chaperone leave?
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Folks who bug you: I’ve never heard of 20% or more commission for those kind of deals. The most I’ve heard is 10% but they have to charge ’special rates’ to recoup the commission.
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My parents are very friendly and accommodating people. And what I learned is that there are some “kapal mukhas” who will try to take advantage, so beware. Like utang na kinalimutan. My mom used to run a catering business for school lunch, would you believe a teacher who dressed to kill(complete with evening make-up) and always had 3-inch heels on everyday had a longggggggggggg list and never paid up!
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Happy Weekend!
well the hard thing about manilenos is that they think living in baguio is cheap. for baguio folk who have homes there, well yeah, cost of living is relatively cheaper than manila, BUT, to transients, Baguio living can be expensive, prima donna reminds me of a friend I ONCE had, she would arrive in Baguio from Manila, and stay for weeks on end, leave for manila come back in a weeks time, and the cycle went on and on for around 2 years. she NEVER not once, even offered to sponsor dinner or even pan de sal for breakfast, NOTHING. She befriended my friends, made comments like “I’m family” to people who asked her why she practically lived with us. You know the saying familiarity breeds contempt, well shes the perfect example of that. Once I even heard her scolding my 8 year old nephew, that got me. I told her to her face: YOU DO NOT SCOLD MY NEPHEW. I didnt care whether she was right or wrong, fact is, she had absolutely NO RIGHT whatsoever to do that. She would mouth to anyone who would listen, how well off her family was, but funny they didnt seem to have taught her good manners and right conduct. Ive moved to Manila, and well that former friend of mine is in Baguio still, and mooching off yet another poor soul.
I keep telling Manila folks the only thing you get cheaper here is electricity because of the free airconditioning. You earn less and spend less only because it’s a simple life and everything is nearby.
One of the reasons I run a B&B is to give visitors a the total “Baguio” experience of gardens, pine trees, fireplaces and bonfires. The reason I run it WITH A PARTNER is to avoid freeloaders. And they come from everywhere, too. Prima Donna is from N.E.
I’m glad you ditched your former friend. She does not deserve you.
Okay, I have my laugh for the day! Well, it’s not really funny but Lisa, you are one feisty lady with a kind heart (and soul)! Or is it the other way around? Right now. I am visualizing this gentle dragon who would offer and give someone a ride but will not hesitate to breath fire once abused. But don’t lose heart! I am one of those who really appreciate your personalized treatment and attention to your guests. And that 40 year old woman is a spoiled brat who was never allowed to grow up. Using an analogy from a plant, a “sucker” is an offshoot that grows out of the root of the parent plant and will live draining off it’s (host’s) energy and nutrients. Hmmm… heaven forbid she passess the bar and becomes a lawyer!!!!
That 40-year old primaDonna is quite thick huh! You’re too kind, that’s why you get yourself into such trouble LOL.
I remember when we still lived in the big old house which was only less than 10 mins from Session Road. Relatives with family and friends in tow would suddenly pop at the door and ask if they could spend a few nights! My mom, as always the generous and hospitable one, would welcome them. And we’d all go crazy preparing the beds, pillows, blankets for the whole mob! Our house was then called a hotel by some relatives, which I did not find funny! Ay naku, that’s why I was glad when we moved to a place that’s not very accessible haha.
Hi TrueBlue,
Thanks for dropping by! Glad you like the site. See you around!
Hi Cynthia,
Being an educator, you must be an expert in ‘reading’ people! You’re right on the nose. And yes, being born in 1964, I am really a dragon. Hahaha!
Hi Chateau,
Ah yes, the fabled Filipino hospitality — falling all over ourselves to please our guests. I do love that about our country and just hate it when folks overstep. Tell your mom to start a B&B nalang just to see how many relatives find other lodging.
Another TRADITIONAL LAWYER in the making, that Donna. Di pa nga pumapasa sa Bar, magulang na. Kung saken nangyari yan, nahulog na sa Kennon Road yan. Kagigil.
Sandali, nanggigigil pa ‘ko. And you don’t have to publish this if you’d rather not.
Eh hindi ka pa ba sanay sa mga ‘DONNA’. Even when we were still in UP LAw, didn’t little Miss Inggitera — you know, the one with the infant’s boobs — do that kind of shit all the time although on a lesser scale. Tambay Alfredo’s, eat and drink, tapos, “Lisa, did you take care of the bill na?”
O, di ba?
Connie, miss na kita! Ok, hindi ka “pink” today.
And of course, being me, I don’t even remember little Miss Inggitera anymore (considering I have a really good memory for even clothes worn by my classmates during parties in high school or most of the boys YOU dated) — or maybe I just block bad memories. But judging from the “infant’s boobs” could her initials be MA? Kasi compared to Ms. Santiago’s everyone’s boobs looked miniscule!
Dapat nga masanay sa mga Donna. But you know me…
hindi yun. more like IL. hahahahaha
Miss na rin kita!!! And never mind about the boys I dated. hahahahaha Eh bad taste ako nun ano?
You guys are so punnneeeee! Salamat sa mga “kiliting” galing diyan sa bundok ng Pinas. Nakakawala ng sakit ng ulo- galing sa makukulit kong estudyante. At sa maaaaas makukulit na magulang nila! (Two weeks more bakasyon na dito. Ay apo met!)
hi Lisa,
I just read this blog entry. I’m going to Baguio with my foreign friends and I’d like to know if we can book your B&B. Is it possible to email the following information: name of your b&b, rooms, rates and conditions.
Thank you!