They talk a lot about the so-called "foreigner markup (skin tax)."

If it's a small amount, I just let it go. Most of the time people aren't acting out of malice; those with lower incomes are simply seeing a chance to earn a bit more. And honestly, if the situation were reversed, I'd probably do the same… For big purchases, I have a trustworthy Filipino friend buy things for me so I don't get overcharged. To be fair, this isn't really about skin color. It's about where you're from and how wealthy you look. Airlines have been doing this for years too. That's why when buying plane tickets, people use a VPN to appear to be in a different (poorer) country and save hundreds of dollars.

A market vendor tried to overcharge me for lettuce, so I refused and went to a stall two spots down and bought it for half the price. The vendor who tried to overcharge me doesn't know I'm a local, and she sees me walking past her at least once a week to buy vegetables from the vendors further down. I had to catch a tricycle at the mall for a very short distance. First driver: 200 pesos, boss, he said with a big smile. Second driver: Oh, 200 pesos, boss. The third driver, who was younger and less arrogant, said 100 pesos, boss (bingo, that was the proper price). When I arrived at the hotel, I gave him a 100-peso tip for being honest.

My blonde Australian wife, whom I've been married to for over 25 years, never has this problem. She's very polite and friendly, so she always gets the same price as the locals. I used to stand back and watch what happened, but I don't do that anymore.