Disclaimers
While I’m very pleased that you’ve decided to investigate my thoughts on the subject of Fil-West marriage, please do not take what I’ve said as gospel. The old caveat that “you shouldn’t believe everything you read” is a truism. While I’ve tried to make this book as accurate as possible, I’m sure I’ve made a few errors, so if something strikes you as really unlikely, you should do some research and verify the facts.
Technical Information: For the record, I am not a doctor, lawyer, theologian, engineer, psychologist, statistician, electrician, or professional football player. I do not claim any specialized training in any particular field aside from cryptology (and I’m pretty rusty at that). Any technical information in this book was obtained by me from other sources during my research for this book, but you must remember that there is always the possibility that my research was faulty, that my sources were inaccurate, or that my information, though once accurate, is now outdated. For that reason, you should only use the technical information I’ve provided you as a springboard for further investigation.
Generalizations: As I’ve said many times on my website, short of a 100,000,000 page website or book, I’m limited to generalizations, as is anyone else involved in armchair sociology. I’ve obviously not studied every person of female persuasion in the Philippines, nor have I personally corresponded with every Fil-West couple in the world. I’m limited to observing patterns of behavior. The recurrence of certain patterns, over several years, has given me confidence that my observations have some value. Generalizations, while they have their faults, also have tremendous value. Were scholars and scientists prohibited from generalizing, the academic world would be a much lonelier place, and a much poorer one. Philosophy, History, Archeology, Sociology, Psychology...none of these could survive if students were restricted to studying only individuals and absolutes. When we study, we study groups and societies, trends and tendencies. Our lives are too short, our mental capacities too limited, to study all things at the atomic level. That’s just the way it is.
So, do not be too critical of generalities. They’re a necessary evil for books like this. Alexis de Tocquville would likely agree.
Advice and Opinions: In this book, I’ll relay to you my own perception of Fil-West relationships. That perception is based on my own, personal experiences as the western husband of a wonderful and loving Filipina, my wife, Josie, and as a Webmaster and forum operator who has compared notes with thousands of other men and women in Fil-West relationships. Yet I do not claim to be an “authority” on Fil-West relationships; that would be absurd. Relationships are just too complex and dynamic for any person to legitimately claim such a title – though many daytime radio and talk show hosts are seemingly oblivious to this reality.
I am, at best, an observer and commentator. I am relaying to you, through this book, what I have seen and experienced, and my interpretation of those sights and experiences. Were you in my shoes, you might have developed a completely different outlook even though the stimuli were the same. Neither of our viewpoints would be one hundred percent accurate, though. So I caution you to not only read this book with an open mind, but to leave your mind open after you’ve finished it. Experience for yourself, and judge for yourself, and if you think my opinion is in error, discard it. If you think I’m a bit off target, readjust the crosshairs to your own liking. And if, in your opinion, I’m absolutely right about everything, send me a notarized letter to that effect that I can show to my wife. I’ve been looking for written proof for a long time, you know...