Philippine Culture

Every day during my time here in the Philippines it seems I learn something new about the culture here, and I love it! Here are some things I have learned/observed during my time here...

when you go to ones house they will serve you a merianda(snack), even if they are dirt poor. It usually consists of a packaged snacky food like a brownie, muffin, crackers, ect... and coca cola to drink. It is considered very rude to refuse this merienda, so when we go on postpartum visits to do checkups on the moms and new babies, we really can’t plan to see many people on the same day, because if we did, we would get fat! When one is eating a meal they should always ask everyone who is there if they would like to partake in the meal, saying “lets eat!” One should be asked at least 2-3 times before actually partaking in this meal though, or it is equally polite to say, “no thankyou I am full.” Also, when eating the meal, never take the last “bite” like the last spoonful of rice, or piece of chicken ect... because there should always be enough for one more person to eat. So, in America parents often say to their children, "you are not getting down from this table until you eat all that food that is on your plate, you know there are starving children in Africa who don’t have any food to eat!" But here, there is always some food left on the table for that starving child just in case he walks through the front door during suppertime. As far as everyday mannerisms go... the Philippines is a fairly modest country, despite the extremely hot and humid climate, jeans and a t-shirt is what most Filipinos wear on an everyday basis. Short shorts are considered very risqué here, and spaghetti strap shirts/tanktops are rarely worn by the local women and girls. Now the people here are used to seeing foreigners wearing tanktops and shorts and do not judge them, but since I have been here for 2 months now and am trying to fit into the culture more, I am becoming more aware of my clothing choices everyday. But, it is seriously way too hot to wear jeans!!! So I am trying to stick to skirts, and Capri’s. Some other things I have learned is to never point with my index finger, if you are calling someone towards yourself, reach out the whole hand pointing all fingers downwards and wave them towards yourself. To point to something, you use your whole hand, or more commonly by pursing your lips. And of course I am now used to drinking a coco cola/all soft drinks out of a plastic bag with a straw, eating all meals with a spoon and fork only, and of course getting used to eating rice with every meal!  I never enter ones house without first standing outside, asking if anyone is home, and being invited in. Always taking off my shoes upon entering a house, even if the floors are made out of dirt, and stay standing until invited to sit. I am not going to lie, being a foreigner here is challenging at times, like...

-Being literally stared at by everyone around me wherever I go with people yelling after me things in tagalog, and the abundance of questions I am asked on a daily basis like... where are you going, where are you from, do you know how to speak tagalog, how long are you staying here, are you single, can I take a picture of you? Ect...

-When shopping, being stalked by the store attendants, they follow me like little children wherever in the store I go repeatedly saying “yes, maam?” –I think this is probably my biggest pet peeve here, I just want to shop in peace, and it is always very awkward shopping for feminine products when I have at least 3 male attendants standing around me...therefore, it takes me double the time to get what I need!

-Getting used to bargaining because since I am American EVERYONE tries to charge me more money when buying something

-Being followed by the starving street children begging me over and over again for money-now this is the hardest thing for me, everyone who knows me, knows that my heart goes out to children, especially ones in need, but when I can, I try to buy them some food, instead of giving them money.

-Making friends with the reptiles and insects that live with me because there really is no way to get rid of them no matter how hard I try, and I have had to come to terms with that...maybe I should start naming them, what do you think? hehe!

-Throwing away toilet paper, never flushing it

-Hand flushing the toilet with a bucket full of water

-Cold showers

-Living an ocean away from my family and friends, I miss you guys!!!

Now, could you survive in the Philippines?...I know my mom would definitely not, LOL!! Comment and tell me what you think? 

What could be better than drinking a coke out of a plastic baggy:-)

"Here we are children, start pecking...now!"

That poor mama dog looked like she was starving, but her pup looks nice and plump!

What are you looking at?! 

 

This is an older pic of me doing a prenatal on one of the moms
 who lived in the landfill area in Olongapo