What Annoys Filipinos?

Each individual has these quirks and ticks that annoys them. Filipinos are not immune. Here’s a list of things that annoys Filipinos:

Body odor. Filipinos can smell body odor a mile away. We have a supernatural sense of smell that even if someone applied perfume all over to mask the odor, the Filipino nose would likely smell it. Filipinos might not utter a single word about it, as a sign of invasion of privacy, but they sure would make it known through their body language, or subtle innuendos such as giving you soap and shampoo as a birthday gift, is a typical example. The most obvious response would be for a Filipino to get the hell away from someone reeking with strong body odor. Filipinos are a tickler for personal hygiene. A bath is different from a face wash.

Any person who looks down on him. Filipinos are a proud race. Filipinos believe that everyone is considered worthy of respect and the more important the person the more humbleness and generosity is expected. Filipinos would not readily or publicly announce themselves as an expert of something, regardless of what qualifications or credentials they might have or toiled for. Thus, most will abhor someone with less experience telling him how to do his job. The other extreme of the spectrum, most Filipinos find it peculiar when rich people refuse to talk to people of lower social status. Yet, a limp handshake with the ‘powers-might-be’, or for that matter: foreigners, is socially acceptable.

An air of superiority in a person or a person who treats him like a servant. Being under the Spanish rule for more than 300 years, this boils down to the concept of being called Indios, a misnomer contrived by Spanish rulers mistakenly classifying the Philippine natives then as the distant relatives of American Indians. Call a Filipino by his given name, never his last name, and he feels very elated because he is proud to know that a superior knows him personally.

A foreigner who says that is the way we do it back home. Like the Not Invented Here! syndrome, most Filipinos would not likely take something on face value, but rather a “new” idea is curiously tested out to prove its worth before his acceptance. Once the idea is obvious or rightfully proven, you might find that the Filipino himself becomes the endorser of the truth about that idea. Not that Filipinos are unwittingly gullible, but most cater to the oft-repeated words: “To see is to believe!” Assertiveness, pride, aggressiveness, frankness and familiarity are considered Western traits. For Filipinos, however, virtues like politeness, humility, modesty and passiveness are more greatly admired in a person. One is expected to be modest in speech and not boastful, even if someone is the boss, or especially if one is the boss!

Minute attention to small details or being told to hurry up. For most Filipinos, linear time is a succession of moments with a fixed starting point and a fixed ending point. For some Filipinos, however, there is the cyclical concept of time where time is a succession of moments without a fixed starting point nor a fixed ending point. This is manifested by the infamous mañana habit. Some Filipinos consider time flexible and unlimited. What can be done today can always be accomplished tomorrow, so why hurry? Licuanan (1994) wrote:

“Unplanned or unanticipated events are never overly disturbing or disorienting as the flexible Filipino adjusts to whatever happens. We possess a tolerance for ambiguity that enables us to remain unfazed by uncertainty or lack of information.”

A blunt and overly frank person. For Filipinos, directness and frankness are rude and brutal. Compared to other nationalities, especially Westerners, Filipinos are sensitive and easily humiliated. They would avoid someone who strongly disagrees with his opinion in a discussion. You can disagree with him but not strongly. Filipinos are also annoyed to receive criticism from someone who is not his superior. This goes with the concept of losing face or mukha. Remember to apply: Interaction Management [IM]. When correcting a Filipino, don’t go straight to the point. Talk about something pleasant first. In delivering your correction be as diplomatic as possible. Most Filipinos cannot take a direct, black and white declaration of his mistake, especially in public. Do not use harsh tone of voice. Do not curse. Give a Filipino a way out of a situation so he can save his face. After a correction has been made, follow-up with an inquiry about some personal concern such as his family, or his health. This would appease his bruised ego and show that you have at least considered his feelings. Remember, Lorenzana (2006) wrote:

“Filipinos put a premium on peace. They avoid conflict whenever possible and when it exists they try to settle it in a nonconfrontational way.”

Race prejudice. Filipinos are easily annoyed by the ignorance foreigners show about his own native land or foreigners who write about the Philippines without knowing too much about it. Although, the Philippines is a third-world country, most Filipinos believe that others should not rub it in their noses. Not all Filipinos speak Tagalog or reside in Manila. Or just because he grew up in a province means that he is unsophisticated. Filipinos are proud of their native land, however, dire situations they are in, at least they definitely have something to call home: a place to be who they are and be themselves.

People who demand a yes or no answer. An average Filipino will say “yes” when: He does not know; wants to impress or please; is annoyed; wants to end a conversation; half-understands the instruction or what is being said; or is not sure of himself. More often than not, the Filipino says “yes” when he thinks he knows better than the one speaking to him. For all other cases, usually Filipinos agree weakly instead of giving a flat refusal of “no”. “Maybe”, “perhaps”, or “I’ll try” are usual answers to questions to which a Westerner would really say “No”. This is because of the Filipino desire to please in spite of the negative response. To interpret the meaning of this “I’ll try” or such similar vague answers, require only a little persuasion to change the “I’ll try” to a reluctant “yes” or an apologetic “no”. Beware, though: when a Filipino frequently nods in the middle of a conversation, which simply means: I understand what are you saying, but it does not mean yes.

People who take credit for what is accomplished in joint efforts. This is a no-no, or one might end up being cut down to size for publicly taking credit for an act or claims any kind of superiority over his in-group. If the task on hand was made by joint efforts, acknowledge it as such. Filipinos want to be given credit for any participation which results to the productivity of the whole. Licuanan (1994) wrote:

“Pakikipagkapwa-tao (regard for others) is manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness, and in concern for others. It is demonstrated in the Filipino’s ability to empathize with others, in helpfulness and generosity in times of need (pakikiramay), in the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance, and in the famous Filipino hospitality.”

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Notes:

Lorenzana , Angela E. (2006), Galit: The Filipino Emotion Word for ‘Anger’. Paper presented at Tenth International Conference on Austronesian Linguistics (10-ICAL). 17-20 January 2006. Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. 13pp. back to text

Licuanan, Patricia. A Moral Recovery Program: Building A People–Building A Nation. Values in Philippine Culture and Education. Philippine Philosophical Studies I, edited by Manual B. Dy, Jr. Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change, Series III, Asia, Volume 7. Washington: Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 1994. back to text

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