Why do Filipinos don't greet each other?

[gretchen_darren 67]

Some circumstances are more conducive to conversation, like if you are next to each other in line at the register. A smile and a nod usually at a distance. Usually an older guy with a younger gal. Not sure why it works out that way. What the appeal is to younger women.

---- that is another conversation........

[JoBri 545]

When I was in the Philippines with my wife, I always greeted people in Manila. And if me and my wife were lost or we had a question or something, I wouldnt hesitate asking the first friendly looking Filipino I saw a question. My wife always tried to hold me back and acted all embarrassed and like I was doing something so out of the ordinary. She pretty much let me know that isnt done in Manila, or the Philippines it seemed as a whole, although she never said that.

As far as I could tell, it seemed to be against some kind of local etiquet or something like that. As if I was inconveniencing someone. I think it is in part due to shyness. Also, as in a lot of big cities, you just dont know what kind of person you are approaching for sure. Also, I think in big cities people tend to want to isolate more in public, not attracting attention. But I thought it was goofy and just was friendly no matter what.

[Gumbolette 58]

It's because of the attitude of...

"Dapat ako lang sa Tate, bakit ka din andito?!" Hmp!

[charlize56 4]

nako walang magagalit ha pero sa naririnig ko and from my own observation,mas madami yung ayaw bumati kase feeling nila nag-iba agad yung status ng life nila na parang taga alta sosyedad agad sila,yung iba ngang kilala ko andito pa sa pinas ha ndi pa nakakaalis medyo yumabang na agad eh.kase makakasakay na raw ng eroplano lol!pagdating namn ng amerika limot na ang tagalog! pero merun din mababait namn kaso bihira lang sila mas marami pa rin yung yumayabang agad,na feeling taga beverly hills at barkada ni paris hilton kung umasta....bkit ko alam???kase marami akong freinds na andun sa state na they told me she greeted a filipina woman then they snob her na feeling eh napakagaganda nila at ang susuplada pa na kala mo aristokrata,, ay mga hirap din namn dito sa pinas.

[EthanJM 0]

I think it must depend on the person. Almost every where we go the majority of the time when we see another Filipino they will start a conversation with us or we with them. There was only a few times when the Filipino person wasn't friendly but the majority was. The conversation always gets to what part are you from, where you live and how long have you been here etc.. stuff like that.

When I was at Bank of America getting a cashiers check to send to Embassy of Philippines it happened to be a lady and she asked why I was getting a check to pay her country. When I said I was married to a Filipina she said "oh I want to meet her please bring her next time.. etc". That kind of thing has been the majority of my experience in California.

Hi,

Usually Filipinos are very polite and accommodating to foreigners. They will help you and talk with you any time. I am referring to a Filipino with brown skin meeting another Filipino. It may be at the grocery store, at the park etc. Many Filipinos do not care to smile or greet like most whites I encountered.

[EthanJM 0]

It depends who you are with, and how you got here. They say to themselves, "Oh, she got herself a big fish."

Did you experience being snubbed by a Filipino in a high density Filipino population such as California?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Did you experience being snubbed by a Filipino in a high density Filipino population such as California?

The Filipino men are always friendly to us both. When I am with the wife, most Filipina are friendly, but a few are snobbish, and give either me, or the wife, a look of contempt. If she is by herself, they won't even acknowledge her when she smiles at them. If I am by myself, most Asian women seem offended that I would even acknowledge them and avoid me completely.

[EthanJM 0]

for me, culture. and maybe for others due to "dont talk to strangers" rule.

I also think culture is a big factor. Many Filipinos don't realize it doesn't hurt to say "Hi, hello, good morning etc" to any person regardless of race or color. You do not have to chit chat with them but just simply acknowledging their presence with a greeting. And isn't that what educated people should do?

[Messybrownhair 251]

The answer is pretty simple in my case, NO ONE THINKS I'M FILIPINO. Lol. I usually have to be the one to greet them and I will always have to explain why I speak such good Tagalog. I love surprising them though!

Edited June 6, 2011 by Messybrownhair

[JoBri 545]

I also think culture is a big factor. Many Filipinos don't realize it doesn't hurt to say "Hi, hello, good morning etc" to any person regardless of race or color. You do not have to chit chat with them but just simply acknowledging their presence with a greeting. And isn't that what educated people should do?

It's what ANYONE should do, heck.

Also, I remember when our baby was born. The grocery store assistant manager (also from the Philippines with a Filipino wife) had a baby within a couple days of ours. My wife said something about him being filipino too, and the guy said "He is clearly a WHITE baby..." as if he wasnt filipino too. It just sort of gave me feelings of resentment at that guy.... Our baby is darker skinned than my wife is! Anyway, why do people have to pull the race card, even when it comes to innocent little babies?

I am proud of my sons filipino heritage, of his warrior and hunter ancestry.

We get some hard looks at the asian market, usually from pure Chinese who see the Chinese in my wife. My wife is the one who usually greets other filipinos and Asians in general. They usually greet her back happily.

Edited June 7, 2011 by Brijo

[EthanJM 0]

Why you say mostly white people are friendly to others in the street .? I am not white nor black but color do not determines politeness. My Fiancee is from the philippines . Maybe your fellow pinays are yet to adapt to the cultural shock .Trust me --when they are adapt to it --they are more ''Americanised '' than I .

I was referring to Americans mostly white people who are very polite. I live in a predominantly white community and they always greet us. I also notice that in parks, elevators and many other places. One even gave us freshly baked cookies to welcome us in the neighborhood.

It's not only Filipinos (not all of course) who are impolite but I noticed many Asians. I don't know if it's a culture thing when how you were brought up is a big factor or any other reason.

[adiiann 163]

Filipinos are not accustom in greeting people they don't know. Even in the Philippines, they will not say any single words to you if they don't know you unless they need to ask. If you take a long travel time by any means of transportation, it's very rare that you be able to start conversation with the one sitting beside you. Not like here, when I took 4 hours train ride, and I was sitting with any American, from the moment I am sitting comfy, they start conversation.

I don't think most Filipinos are snobbish, they probably just don't know how to interact with other Filipinos they don't know. Though, I must admit that there are Filipina (you would know if he/she is Filipino from the way they speak) here that even I smile to them and ready to say "hi", they try to ignore me which is fine.

[EthanJM 0]

hopefully you know that nagging a spouse's spelling or grammar is a symbolic death knell for the relationship.

[sweetpink 1]

It's because of the attitude of...

"Dapat ako lang sa Tate, bakit ka din andito?!" Hmp!

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

I have noticed this here in the USA that most Philippine people do not speak to any others no matter what the situation. I find it very strange. They can be standing right next to each other in a store and neither person speaks a work and it is as if the other person is invisible. To me if I was living in the Phils and I saw other english speaking foreigners I would say hello and take up a friendly conversation with them...who knows they may be a prospective Red Horse drinking buddy.