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BORDER DETAINMENT

One of my many business trips took me to the Philippines and I had great personal and professional experiences while there. My arrival and departure from the airport, however, left a different impression. When it came time to travel back home, I checked in at the airline counter, did some souvenir shopping, and then proceeded to customs for an exit stamp before heading to the gate.
I had never thought much of this process, as usually the screening border agent makes sure you have a ticket and passport before you proceed to the actual border guard's desk. The first clue that this wasn't going to be a normal "go right ahead" interaction was that the screening agent hesitated and waited to see if I had others travelling with me. I was travelling alone, so he then decided to inspect my passport and ask me about Canada. The conversation continued on to how he really wanted to come to Canada, but wasn't sure how he could get there because it was a tough immigration process and "if only there was some other way". I quickly understood that my passport was being held hostage in hopes of me offering to bring him along with me to Canada. Realizing I was at the mercy of the screening agent (and there wasn't a line-up behind me), I played dumb and explained how the immigration process worked, going as far as showing him the government website. After a 15-minute inquisition, I politely asked for my passport back so I wouldn't be late for my flight. He reluctantly handed it back as I dashed his hopes of a shotgun wedding and fairy tale Canadian immigration story. Thankfully, the border agent with the actual exit stamp didn't take the same approach and I made it home safely and without a surprise husband.

I now know to never underestimate the passport-screening border guards. I guess you never know when you might be detained in hopes of a marriage proposal!