Probably one of the first things I’d have to mention is, of course, the demeanor of the people here. I have never seen so many people spontaneously burst into song outside of a musical. The elevator operator, the cashier, the construction workers, the painters, I once saw the doorman to my condo (rifle in hand) singing to himself.
That brings me to another “only in the Philippines” situation. If you’re going to a mall, you’re going to have to run through security which means a metal detector and a pat down. It’s not nearly so stringent as what TSA puts you through. Backpacks are often worn with the pack at the front because it facilitates unzipping for your bag to be inspected.
Transportation: of course there’s the jeepneys, trikes and there’s even an Uber type service where you can get a motorbike to pick you up since Manila traffic is so awful. I spent 6 months living in Burbank and even compared to LA & Hollywood traffic Manila transit is madness.
That said, anything you want to eat you can get delivered. You want a drumstick of fried chicken, a salisbury steak, some rice and Big Mac? Just head to mcdelivery.ph. All the major fast-food franchises, btw, offer fried chicken and rice (no, I don’t mean chicken nuggets, I mean genuine fried chicken).
Also, as someone else in the thread mentioned, I have NEVER experienced being asked if I was married so often lol. When asked “Do you have a family” I at first assumed they would be asking if I have a family back in the States. No, they mean do you have a wife and/or kids.
A lot of the stereotypes about Asians and Asian women certainly don’t apply to the Philippines as well. From my limited experience living here since January I’ve found the people to be extraordinarily outgoing. Not demure or shy as befitting the Asian stereotype.
There’s also a great sense of pride in the country. I have been asked by several Filipinos what I think about the women here (they ARE some of the most beautiful in the world and also fun loving and open). All in all, the place has grown to feel like home. On a short trip to Singapore I got homesick for the first time, not for the US though…
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