Filipinos are well-known for being hospitable which is a positive trait. As a Filipino, I can say that we have a lot of positive traits and values. In this article, however, I am going to discuss not the positive but the negative traits.
Let's start!
The amount of respect you will receive from relatives is determined by your salary. I am not generalizing Filipinos when I say this, but I am talking about relatives to be more specific. In the Philippines, I noticed and even experienced firsthand that relatives respect you only if you are a professional with a high-paying job. If you have a college diploma but have yet to find a job that is related to the course that you studied in college, you or your parents will be the subject of rumors. Most of the time, they will act like they don't know you at all. However, if you've landed a well-paying job, those relatives who pretended they didn't know you and those who gossiped about you will undoubtedly run into you. Usually, it's so they can borrow money lol. Others, on the other hand, will come to you because they have a relative they can brag about to their acquaintances, not because of money.
After graduating from college, I opted not to practice my profession for personal reasons and instead pursued other opportunities. "Oh hey! You've long graduated from college, so are you a teacher now?" "How much do you earn?" "Poor you," they'd say every time I saw a relative, and I felt horrible every time my parents were asked where I was currently working or teaching. They sound as if they're trying to make my parents feel bad. My parents, on the other hand, are fine with whatever I want as long as I bring money home.
Filipino Time. I hate this more than the first that I talked about. Working in the BPO industry made me realize and practice integrity when it comes to being on time. As a result, I've learned to be punctual for all of my appointments.
Filipino time basically refers to a Filipino's proclivity of being late. Most Filipinos excuse their tardiness by blaming it on Filipino time; they lack a sense of timeliness, which I believe is the worst.
Crab Mentality. There are some people who are not pleased when someone they know achieves success. As a result, take steps to prevent them from succeeding. Some people even go to the level of spreading rumors and gossip about that person. That is crab mentality, and I know quite a few people with that kind of mindset. Furthermore, even if they have the capacity to do so, some people refuse to help or assist others. What is the reason for this? They recognize the potential in the person who is in need of help. They are worried that if they assist the individual, they would become too good for them and will surpass them.
Marites are rampant. Marites is a phrase coined by some Filipinos that means "Mare heto ang latest," which can be translated literally as "Sis, here's the latest," which refers to the most recent news or gossip. Marites is a term or name that pertains to our next-door neighbors that enjoy gossiping and spreading rumors.
It is okay to gossip sometimes because there are benign gossips such as a small conversation about oneself or a family member or friend's accomplishment. Or probably inform others through small talk that you are relocating However, there are rumors and gossips that might damage a person's reputation. That is what the Maritesses usually discuss. Instead of attending to their own lives and businesses, they tend to chat nonstop throughout the day, acting as if they were a CCTV. They are 'know-it-alls,' and you could ask them anything about their neighbor and they would most likely know the answer.
Here are just a few of the negative traits of Filipinos. And of course, we also have a lot of positive traits. In the next article I will talk about the positive and then probably talk more negative in the next next articles.
P.S. To my fellow Filipinos out there, please don't hate on me for these :)
Lead image credits: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/positive-negative
Gahh, thankful pa rin talaga ako na malayo kami sa kamag anakan namin aguyy. What if right? Tas now wala pa akong work so malamang naku naku. And, yang Marites na iyan, meron nyan dito including mudrabels pero abt something else naman pinag uusapan hahaha. Tas yang Filipino Time, kuuu jan din galit na galit si mommy.