This flood shows the differences between poor filipinos and poor americans

[Economist 0]

One of the reasons I would like to move to the philippines one day with my wife is the attitude of the poor filipinos and how they deal with circumstances. Look at these two photos and see how big the differences are.

In philippines 24 hours after the flood, a woman is already starting to clean up her home.

In the united states after hurricane katrina...about 24 hours after the flood (you can see the waters have still not subsided) people are looting like crazy.

I read a post on here of someone saying that louisiana is still recovering from the flood. I would bet anything that within a few months people in the philippines will already have recovered from their flood.

This is also what scares me about my country (the US) That when bad things happen here, we take forever to bounce back from it. With what is happening with the economy today I think its going to get so much worse in the US over the next year or so and I just dont think the people here can handle it and things will get so much worse than the great depression.

Perhaps the reason the filipinos recover so fast is that they all pray when disaster happens and God helps them recover quickly. In the US, many people do not believe in God anymore and do not pray when bad things happen which is why i believe we take so long to recover from disasters.

[JORDANTONI09 10]

One of the reasons I would like to move to the philippines one day with my wife is the attitude of the poor filipinos and how they deal with circumstances. Look at these two photos and see how big the differences are.

In philippines 24 hours after the flood, a woman is already starting to clean up her home.

In the united states after hurricane katrina...about 24 hours after the flood (you can see the waters have still not subsided) people are looting like crazy.

I read a post on here of someone saying that louisiana is still recovering from the flood. I would bet anything that within a few months people in the philippines will already have recovered from their flood.

This is also what scares me about my country (the US) That when bad things happen here, we take forever to bounce back from it. With what is happening with the economy today I think its going to get so much worse in the US over the next year or so and I just dont think the people here can handle it and things will get so much worse than the great depression.

Perhaps the reason the filipinos recover so fast is that they all pray when disaster happens and God helps them recover quickly. In the US, many people do not believe in God anymore and do not pray when bad things happen which is why i believe we take so long to recover from disasters.

The disparity between the cost of living in America and the Philippines is extensive. The Filipinos who live below the poverty line are resilient because they don't have a reliable government as compared to that of yours. They make use of what they have and work from there.

It always pinched my heart seeing unfortunate people smiling despite the tragedy. My mom always told me that it's inherent that a Filipino finds beauty in mishap because sulking won't get them anywhere. Instead, they pick up the pieces and use their resources to start anew.

This is what makes me further appreciate what I have because there's always someone who has it rougher than you do.

I'd rather not comment on religion since that's a touchy subject.

[JANETandLYLE 11]

I can agree for the most part of what you say here. Im American, and I hate to admit it, but I see this type of attitude a lot where i live. The Phillipine people overall appear to have a genuine love for God and they appear to me to be respectful of others. I am attracted to many of the Philippine ways and traditions. Many here in the US are the opposite, but not all....

[luckymom 0]

I would like to thank the people here who appreciate the values of us filipinos. Despite being a poor country, we manage to get on our feet fast. Filipinos are known to be survivors no matter what. Depression doesn't defeat us easily though we feel depressed at times also. God bless all of us, filipinos, Americans etc. The only thing important is we have a GOD who looks upon us all the time.

Edited September 27, 2009 by luckymom

[G&R 0]

One of the reasons I would like to move to the philippines one day with my wife is the attitude of the poor filipinos and how they deal with circumstances. Look at these two photos and see how big the differences are.

In philippines 24 hours after the flood, a woman is already starting to clean up her home.

In the united states after hurricane katrina...about 24 hours after the flood (you can see the waters have still not subsided) people are looting like crazy.

I read a post on here of someone saying that louisiana is still recovering from the flood. I would bet anything that within a few months people in the philippines will already have recovered from their flood.

This is also what scares me about my country (the US) That when bad things happen here, we take forever to bounce back from it. With what is happening with the economy today I think its going to get so much worse in the US over the next year or so and I just dont think the people here can handle it and things will get so much worse than the great depression.

Perhaps the reason the filipinos recover so fast is that they all pray when disaster happens and God helps them recover quickly. In the US, many people do not believe in God anymore and do not pray when bad things happen which is why i believe we take so long to recover from disasters.

yep .

[jsnearline 2]

I remember reading about people rioting here in the US when they tried to cash in their (duplicate) coupons for free KFC grilled chicken this past spring and the KFCs ran out. What more if a real disaster happened. We Americans can have such an unrealistic sense of entitlement.

I wouldn't over-generalize to say that Filipinos are always better at facing a crisis after 24 hours though. My wife just told me that her parents have been so busy fighting with each other that they haven't even begun to pick up the pieces after losing their house to the storm this weekend. She's beginning to wonder if she needs to go back there to knock their heads together and tell them to grow up.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

The difference isn't that we have a reliable Government in the US...

The difference is that too many people in the US are raised believing that they are entitled to have the government do everything for them.

Who in the US should be living in a city on the coast that is below sea-level and kept dry with damns but doesn't have flood insurance or bother to get out of the city when a Cat 5 Hurricane is coming?

Here the "victims" will sit around waiting for the Government to rescue them.

In the Philippines they are raised witht he understanding that you have to fend for yourself.

It really is that simple.

My Wife is more resourceful at 24 than my ex-wife is at 37!

[SuperDuper! 230]

You are right. The US is to be ashamed, and just plain sucks. High crime, corruption, and selfishness abound here.

So why do so many people want to come here, that is the question.

[G&R 0]

You are right. The US is to be ashamed, and just plain sucks. High crime, corruption, and selfishness abound here.

So why do so many people want to come here, that is the question.

Yes still the best!

But sliding lower and lower everyday.

Wonder how far and fast we slide down.

Also depends were you live i think.

places flood bad in many places in USA. but we still have to here about Katrina.

Cuz why?

Many floods just as bad . But most talk about N.O.

WHY?

[-Cinnamon- 0]

Keep the faith burnin.

God bless us.

xoxo

[gfredx 0]

I remember reading about people rioting here in the US when they tried to cash in their (duplicate) coupons for free KFC grilled chicken this past spring and the KFCs ran out. What more if a real disaster happened. We Americans can have such an unrealistic sense of entitlement.

I wouldn't over-generalize to say that Filipinos are always better at facing a crisis after 24 hours though. My wife just told me that her parents have been so busy fighting with each other that they haven't even begun to pick up the pieces after losing their house to the storm this weekend. She's beginning to wonder if she needs to go back there to knock their heads together and tell them to grow up.

Would have to think the armed guards outside of stores, and the iron fists of some mayors help contain the looting and violence.

[franksonb 0]

Yes, I agree that many Americans are too dependent on the government. Filipinos are self reliant. They don't wait for help from the government. They take charge of their life and get it done! If there is government or foreign aid it is better but not expected. They have full trust in God and themselves.

[Got Charmed 0]

One of the reasons I would like to move to the philippines one day with my wife is the attitude of the poor filipinos and how they deal with circumstances. Look at these two photos and see how big the differences are.

In philippines 24 hours after the flood, a woman is already starting to clean up her home.

In the united states after hurricane katrina...about 24 hours after the flood (you can see the waters have still not subsided) people are looting like crazy.

I read a post on here of someone saying that louisiana is still recovering from the flood. I would bet anything that within a few months people in the philippines will already have recovered from their flood.

This is also what scares me about my country (the US) That when bad things happen here, we take forever to bounce back from it. With what is happening with the economy today I think its going to get so much worse in the US over the next year or so and I just dont think the people here can handle it and things will get so much worse than the great depression.

Perhaps the reason the filipinos recover so fast is that they all pray when disaster happens and God helps them recover quickly. In the US, many people do not believe in God anymore and do not pray when bad things happen which is why i believe we take so long to recover from disasters.

I have to disagree with what your saying about us americans, we have and always will pray in good times and in bad, in case you didnt see the pictures of hurricane katrina clean up began soon after the storm, people who lost alot in the storm in the phillipines will feel the effect long after the storm just like katrina, storms like that come maybe once in a 100 years so to praise the people of the philippines for their slow recovery and to put amricans down is just flat wrong and you were not there when katrina hit all you saw was cnn reports, i was there and i know clean-up started soon after we were allowed to go back to our homes.

[jsnearline 2]

My wife talked to her family again this morning and learned that their house had been looted. Someone saw people carrying off their new washing machine (that my wife had bought for them) and other belongings of theirs and So, please don't preach about how Filipinos are so much better than Americans when it comes to bad behavior after a disaster. They might be more self-reliant that we are, but they apparently aren't above looting either when they get the opportunity. Unbelievable!

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

My wife talked to her family again this morning and learned that their house had been looted... please don't preach about how Filipinos are so much better than Americans when it comes to bad behavior after a disaster. They might be more self-reliant that we are

I only claimed that they are more self-reliant. Apparently some Filipinos extend this to include such skills as knowing who in the family {or neighborhood} has "Rich American" Family so they can ask for money, stay for days in their AirCon room or even take clothed off their lines as it dries.

I would agree that with some there is a dark side to the self-reliance as it can go as far as being anything goes to satisfy my wants & needs regardless of who I have to step on in the process but that's no worse that it gets here with some people. I've had american family steal from me while I was putting a roof over their heads!

I'll sit back and admire the level of self-reliance and hope the US government will stop going down the path of becoming Socialist, providing eerything for the citizens in return for blind loyalty.