Filipino Attitudes

[CMAGR8DX 0]

I had a lot of friends who worked for DODEA on the bases in the Philippines, got married back in the day, and eventually returned to the Philippines to retire. In almost all of the cases, being away from the country made the wives realize how backwards, inefficient, etc. that things in the PI really are. You don't recognize the water that you are swimming in until you've swam in some other water. None of these women were arrogant or had bad attitudes. They just came to expect more from people than is often available in the Philippines.

Most also still helped their families as much as possible. But they were tougher about it because they now realized how much work that western money cost. It wasn't growing on trees anymore once they had seen what it was like to earn a living in the west.

That said, i think that what you are describing is also these people's chance to show their old friends how important and big they are. In the west, they are probably not special in the least. But with dollars in their pockets, they seem to think that they've grown a great pesonality.

Well said!... They've grown a great personality AND an ego to match...

[paul_kay 31]

This thread reminds me of what I saw last week at Macy's. I saw a Grandma, mom, and a daughter walking side by side all of them wearing shades, jewelries, black trench coats, black leather boots and expensive looking purses (I called them Women in black) and they looked like billionaires strutting down the department store. I heard the Lola spoke Tagalog. Oh well. Good life I guess.

[TeapotGirl 66]

You just can't please everybody. No matter what you do, someone somewhere will still say something about you. If you are generous with everybody, you are boastful- for those who are outside that circle. If you are stingy, it's you are still boastful.

When you discuss financial matters, you are opening can of worms. I don't do this with people that doesn't know me well because I may be perceived as "mayabang" or pompous/boastful (just in case I am a little better), be thought as inferior (if they happen to be financially better) or I am already subjected myself into being future "Town's godmother". Those who really knew me knows how thrifty I am. I just don't give away money that easily. Call me "walang pakisama"(non sport) I do not care. I am alone about most of my financial problems anyway, what's the difference?

As to the language, I was very fluent in Pangalatok when I was around 7y/o but when we moved to Makati, I haven't found anybody to converse it with so I eventually forgot how to peak it. My mother do not speak it and my father do not talk to me in Pangalatok though he's fluent too. I am surprised that people find it boastful!

If someone would like to strike a conversation with me, we can talk about almost anything: history, culture, multimedia arts, movies, news and current affairs, politics, beauty and wellness (except math) but please..let's leave financial matters alone. It's like someone's asking me to strip. There's plenty of things that can we talk about.

[TeapotGirl 66]

What I find boastful are those people who are living beyond their means, those that are putting a fake facade just to show off, and those who enjoys talking trash, just about with anybody and with anyone.

[Kang 22]

I had a lot of friends who worked for DODEA on the bases in the Philippines, got married back in the day, and eventually returned to the Philippines to retire. In almost all of the cases, being away from the country made the wives realize how backwards, inefficient, etc. that things in the PI really are. You don't recognize the water that you are swimming in until you've swam in some other water. None of these women were arrogant or had bad attitudes. They just came to expect more from people than is often available in the Philippines.

Most also still helped their families as much as possible. But they were tougher about it because they now realized how much work that western money cost. It wasn't growing on trees anymore once they had seen what it was like to earn a living in the west.

That said, i think that what you are describing is also these people's chance to show their old friends how important and big they are. In the west, they are probably not special in the least. But with dollars in their pockets, they seem to think that they've grown a great pesonality.

I think that is the problem, expecting the Philippines, a developing country, to have the convenience that can be found in the US. My cousin, who grew up in the US, when he stayed in the Philippines for about a month, did not complain a bit about the inconvenience. Maybe because he is well traveled being in the military for four years and being deployed to other countries. Don't find the Philippines convenient, then go back to the US or live in expensive subdivisions to total isolation.

[Tahoma 2,292]

I'm not saying all Filipinos…

I can't believe there really are some pompous, arrogant Filipinos. I'm shocked at the thought...shocked I tell you! It's true with other nationalities, but it simply can't be true with Filipinos! Please tell me it isn't so!

[CMAGR8DX 0]

Edited December 8, 2011 by CMAGR8DX

[rheanick 42]

I can't believe there really are some pompous, arrogant Filipinos. I'm shocked at the thought...shocked I tell you! It's true with other nationalities, but it simply can't be true with Filipinos! Please tell me it isn't so!

It isn't so! :rofl: :rofl:

[kev_n_jena 89]

I think that is the problem, expecting the Philippines, a developing country, to have the convenience that can be found in the US. My cousin, who grew up in the US, when he stayed in the Philippines for about a month, did not complain a bit about the inconvenience. Maybe because he is well traveled being in the military for four years and being deployed to other countries. Don't find the Philippines convenient, then go back to the US or live in expensive subdivisions to total isolation.

I'm Kano but just the opposite. When we travel to PI, I prefer to stay in N. Samar in her small neighborhood. I mentioned to my wife that I could live in a nipa hut with no problem. I'd like it to be somewhere near the sea so I can have a breeze. Oh, and I prefer my beer cold, other than that, forget the conveniences. She told me I'd be living there by myself if I want a house like that