LOOKY! LOOKY! LOOKY!
DOSSIER WHAT I SEE?
I just read the most interesting memo ever.
Just this morning, I finished giving a short talk and plug for my tours at the first Parent Teacher Association meeting at one of Manila's most exclusive private schools. And after receiving a sampaguita lei (lovely gesture), I was handed a little sinamay goodie bag. One of many that was handed out to all the members of this mostly foreign audience. And aside from an issue of Expat Magazine, an issue of What's On Philippines, brochures from a couple of spas, and a map of the AYALA Center, it was two little papers with the headings: "Cultural Adjustments", and "Being Safe in Manila" that really caught my eye (above and below).
Now, I'm not sure why, but I found this dossier to be both hilarious and disturbing at the same time. The whole thing opens with the "Five Stages" of shock (or grief) of moving to a new country, followed by tips for a successful adjustment to the Philippines, and ends with reminders on how to "Stay Safe" in Manila. I found it hilarious because some of the tips ranged from the obvious: "Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket" to the subtle: "Know your neighbor and nearest same nationality neighbor", to the really blatant: "Resist making comments such as "What else would you expect from these people?" and even the esoteric: "Be creative. Find a hobby. Volunteer. Smile."
Wild. Such an interesting insight to what the average working expat (and their spouse) MIGHT instinctively think of their host country. It's really just amazing that some of these people have to be reminded not to be racist and judgemental when moving here (or anywhere for that matter). And even though I know that it is important to caution ANYONE about the potential risks of living in ANY country, I have to confess that I found the tone a smidge disturbing. It tried to be diplomatic but was still rather fraught with condescion and with just a slight tinge of colonial conceit ("The Philippines is a relatively safe place provided that you are not lured into believing that it is a western culture").
Were the the negative reactions to moving here so rampant in the majority among these people that they had to start giving out memos and reminders regularly to stay sane? It also makes me wonder what it would be like if we put the shoe on the other foot. What would the dossier given to OFWs moving abroad read like? "Please try to avoid judging these people as spoiled and arrogant. Their culture is very different from ours.", "Don't use a fork and spoon. Use a fork and knife." or "Don't lose your temper when locals assume that their country is doing you a favor by employing your services or allowing you to move there."
If anything, this memo only proves the following. It shows that these poor guys live in an incredibly small world and need to get out more (education and exposure eradicates fear I always say) and that the Filipinos who mingle among them should stop feeding their paranoia and start setting an example on how to enjoy living in a excitingly multi faceted city like Manila by leaving that bubble themselves and advocating the social change that would someday render obsolete many parts of this document.
Just this morning, I finished giving a short talk and plug for my tours at the first Parent Teacher Association meeting at one of Manila's most exclusive private schools. And after receiving a sampaguita lei (lovely gesture), I was handed a little sinamay goodie bag. One of many that was handed out to all the members of this mostly foreign audience. And aside from an issue of Expat Magazine, an issue of What's On Philippines, brochures from a couple of spas, and a map of the AYALA Center, it was two little papers with the headings: "Cultural Adjustments", and "Being Safe in Manila" that really caught my eye (above and below).
Now, I'm not sure why, but I found this dossier to be both hilarious and disturbing at the same time. The whole thing opens with the "Five Stages" of shock (or grief) of moving to a new country, followed by tips for a successful adjustment to the Philippines, and ends with reminders on how to "Stay Safe" in Manila. I found it hilarious because some of the tips ranged from the obvious: "Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket" to the subtle: "Know your neighbor and nearest same nationality neighbor", to the really blatant: "Resist making comments such as "What else would you expect from these people?" and even the esoteric: "Be creative. Find a hobby. Volunteer. Smile."
Wild. Such an interesting insight to what the average working expat (and their spouse) MIGHT instinctively think of their host country. It's really just amazing that some of these people have to be reminded not to be racist and judgemental when moving here (or anywhere for that matter). And even though I know that it is important to caution ANYONE about the potential risks of living in ANY country, I have to confess that I found the tone a smidge disturbing. It tried to be diplomatic but was still rather fraught with condescion and with just a slight tinge of colonial conceit ("The Philippines is a relatively safe place provided that you are not lured into believing that it is a western culture").
Were the the negative reactions to moving here so rampant in the majority among these people that they had to start giving out memos and reminders regularly to stay sane? It also makes me wonder what it would be like if we put the shoe on the other foot. What would the dossier given to OFWs moving abroad read like? "Please try to avoid judging these people as spoiled and arrogant. Their culture is very different from ours.", "Don't use a fork and spoon. Use a fork and knife." or "Don't lose your temper when locals assume that their country is doing you a favor by employing your services or allowing you to move there."
If anything, this memo only proves the following. It shows that these poor guys live in an incredibly small world and need to get out more (education and exposure eradicates fear I always say) and that the Filipinos who mingle among them should stop feeding their paranoia and start setting an example on how to enjoy living in a excitingly multi faceted city like Manila by leaving that bubble themselves and advocating the social change that would someday render obsolete many parts of this document.
Labels: looky. looky. looky.
posted by carlosceldran @ 11:53 AM
24 Comments:
Dude,
A SMALL WORLD is the exact way I've described the mindset as well. Really, it boils down to lack of education, as you said, in a broader sense. From the minute I set foot in the US as an immigrant, I have always had to address those common notions appointed to any third-world country when describing my life growing up in Manila. I would invariably start out saying that "IT WAS KICK-ASS growing up there." That usually leaves them stunned and wanting to hear more. "You don't know what the F you're missing. You have NO IDEA." Hai.
But then again, when you live in a society hell bent on checking and cleansing itself constantly, and where the institutions pretty much work as designed and provide a real sense of security in almost everything, the notion of being in a foreign land where those conventions can't be relied upon would tend to crane one's focus on the FEAR FACTORS. I totally agree that it does fall on the HOSTS to perpetuate all that is good about this killer city. It is an opportunity for learning for everyone involved.
I have a gut feeling that the author(s) of that advisory may have been the locals themselves.
Leaving the topic now, I just want to thank you for doing what your doing. I too share the same love for the city and snooping around your blog makes missing it quite terrible! I really think it is critical for you to keep banging your drum so that the generations to come can build on its beat!
oj
Game, I will write the dossier for Pinoys abroad! One item at the bottom will read: "If you must lose your cool, murahin mo na lang sila in Tagalog. Occasionally screaming P*****ina mo even to an uncomprehending audience can do you a world of good. Afterwards, don't forget to smile and find a hobby."
It's not surprising because many other countries have these kinds of visitor/ex-pat lists as well. I don't blame them because the truth is that there's the worldwide mentality that something like U.S. or something in that level is in their own world despite them being only one country while the rest of the world is made up of far too many countries and cultures. Because even though the majority of the world are all so many countries and cultural, diverse and so-called exotic, the traveler's voice and attention power is still only a few countries like the U.S. and a few western ones like America. Almost as if they are either the ones mostly going around traveling the world and the world is their tourist site, or they are the most lacking in culture and filled with ignorance - going back to colonial days around the world or even today. It can go either way. Their society and pop culture is regressing rapidly anyways so it wouldn't be a surprise and can be making it worse for them as people, tourists or travelers. And the truth is a country like U.S. has a population who indeed are the ones who need to read, get out and travel to see that most of this world is so different and how most countries/cultures around the world are more similar with each other and closer to like how life is naturally supposed to be or made to be. Those foreigners would be the ones to face cultural shock or be overwhelmed or have no discipline or respect in their sensitivities to other cultures. Like someone might think that they can do exactly what they do in another country or that the citizens of a country must adapt to them even if THEY are the tourist and foreigner. Other nationalities could have culture shock and ignorance as well, but they would also more likely to find similarities and feel at home in another country right away. That's why I don't blame countries for making up these guides or checklists. The people behind them may seem silly, but trust me, they do know what's going on in the world too. Thank you for bringing this issue up here in your blog!
alejandro
In fairness to all expats in the Philippines, I have to confess that I was just as racist and small-minded when I lived in Indonesia.
In fact, practically every Filpino expat in Jakarta was--even the well-intentioned ones. And yes, we were all highly educated.
We all warned each other about the slowness, the laziness, and the cultural deceitfulness of the Javanese. The other ethnic groups in Indonesia reinforced that thinking as well, telling us that we should watch our backs around the Javanese.
So we've all met the Ugly American on the streets of Manila or New York. Believe me, in the right conditions, the Ugly Filipino inside all of us is just as nasty.
Filipinos living abroad can be just as racist and cynical of the natives. You'd overhear codewords like "Pana" for Indians, "Egoy" for blacks etc used disparagingly in tagalog conversations...
I have read this memo several times now and I still do not find anything bothersome or intriguing. In fact, I find it fair and accurate. (It even mentions high regard toward the PNP which I do not agree with because the chances of filing a report and getting results from the local police are close to wasting your time. If I were being robbed, I would not cooperate but fight back—it’s just me.)
I think we are being a bit too sensitive and over analyzing this “dossier.” Carlos, you wrote, “Know your nearest same nationality neighbor.” The first time I read that, it seemed a bit prejudice. But when I actually read the “dossier,” It read as follows:
*Know your neighbor, and your nearest same nationality neighbor.
There’s a difference in meaning between what you typed as opposed to what was actually on the “dossier.” Now let’s ask ourselves if we were all of a sudden stationed in Iraq for whatever reason. (And please, to anybody responding to my comment by saying that the Philippines is not Iraq, save it.) In my opinion, the “dossier” advice about “knowing your neighbor, and your nearest same nationality neighbor” would certainly be non-biased and practical.
Anyway, let’s not over-react over this trivial “dossier.” If it were callous in anyway, why not address it to whomever wrote and approved this memo? There was an entry saying that “Filipinos don’t like to confront.” Should we prove them wrong, or just be “laughers”?
I don't think Carlos was over reacting. This is a very light piece and irreverent.
I think it is you that is taking this too seriously. Keep up the good work, Carlos.
AMEN.
I agree with the poster above who said that he didn't find anything wrong with the instruction to know one's neighbor and one's nearest same nationality neighbor. I think that's practical advice. And it's something I would find comforting if I were in a foreign land myself.
I understand that some people will see the phrase "The Philippines is a relatively safe place provided that you are not lured into believing that it is a western culture" as tinged with colonial conceit. It can easily be seen as a loaded (and insulting!) statement.
But I generally think that people don't mean malice deliberately, so it seems more to me a condensation of a practical observation that is explained in further detail in a book Culture Shock Philippines.
The reason offered as to why people from the West get Culture Shock in Manila is that outwardly Pinoys are quite western (English, fashion, familiarity with Hollywood, etc.) and thus there is a built up expectation of certain behavior -- after all, this place is "so Western". So when people start turning up late, or avoiding direct confrontation, some Westerners may get quite taken aback that Pinoys are also not like them.
Just offering another perspective, though I empathize that some people might find the dossier a bit much
I am a Philippine born Canadian resident and Canadian naturalized citizen.
We moved here, in Canada about ten years ago, 1997. I was fifteen at the time.
For that full decade, I was unable to visit the Philippines. Not even for a brief period.
Summer of 2006 I made a vow to myself that a decade long absence was too long and promised myself that I would come for an extended visit. November of that same year I fulfilled that vow.
Anyway, why the lengthy intro?
Well Carlos, the same kind of rubbish could very well have come from Filipinos themselves.
My relatives, in their overprotectiveness pretty much told me the same kind of outrageous things.
Now, my tagalog is fluent and highly fluid (with a touch of Bulakenyo lilt, if I may brag), my social skills are passable, and my self confidence, quite inspiring (ahh. naks naman!).
That said, I was very insulted about some things that they felt they had to warn me about! I'm not the same fifteen year old naive kid you used to know! That was ten years ago. How could someone like me not get by, I thought.
However, in the end, they were just trying to protect me and in doing so, HAD to assume the worst. And in the end, I was very thankful.
-Rinaldi G.
PS. I did prove them wrong by roaming the Philippines and backpacking on my own. Hah! In fact, I think I annoyed them in that I dispelled some myths about that country's (meaning the Philippines - this is being written in Canada)safety for travellers; be smart, be confident, and you'll get by.
PPS
In fact, you won't just get by..
YOU WILL HAVE A KICKASS TIME!
john m said...
I don't think Carlos was over reacting. This is a very light piece and irreverent.
I think it is you that is taking this too seriously. Keep up the good work, Carlos.
************************
john m,
Sometimes, what we read can easily be taken out of context or misconstrued so we base our interpretation on the words we use. Based on Carlos' choice of words such as "infuriating" and "disturbing," I think it's only logical to assume that there is over-reaction from some people. Futhermore, in his last paragraph, Carlos mentioned the following:
If anything, this memo only proves the following. It shows that these poor guys live in an incredibly small world and need to get out more (education and exposure eradicates fear I always say)...
The "this memo only proves" is false. It proves a lot. Did it ever occur to any of us that maybe the memo or "dossier" was written purely from experience and education and it was meant for those who have never been to the Philippines or any other country? This "dossier" is only a practical precaution. I really do not find anything specifically "infuriating" nor "disturbing"...that's my understanding of over-reacting. And what do you mean by "light piece" and "irreverent"? I just checked the dictionary and "irreverent" means disrespectful. So are you saying that Carlos' "light piece" is disrespectful?
Being an Expat with kids at the "exclusive private school" I read your comments and then read teh paper a few times and I do nto see where the author writes it as bad as you have preceived. I agree with another comment that it was most liekyl written by a local in teh first place. I would expect that most of teh stuff contained in the letter was common sense and in fact there is a section called "Common Sense."
To quote another American who was in trouble with racism. "Can't we all just get along?" Rodney King.
I don't want to get caught up in semantics. Carlos presents some very interesting points here and I don't think he is trying to wage a war with anyone. I think that he is just sick and tired of the negative perceptions of Manila and he merely vented his opinions. If you look at the last paragraph, he addresses Filipinos as the people who have the most at stake in changing this perception too.
Hi Carlos,
it's really poor Expat behaviour to give out adviseries how to be safe in Manila. I really get angry when I see those things of those Expats. But you know the Expat community is mostly afraid to live in the Philippines. Unfortunately, they hide behind high walls in Alabang and Das Marinas. They earn good money but most of them don't enjoy the Philippines. And you know why? Because they don't go to see and experience your country. They are not open to receive stimuli of a new culture because they think it's not safe or whatever. And even more worse quiet a lot of them have still a colonial mentality which disappoints me very much.
With this attitude I don't wonder if they publish a 'shit' like this dossier. But fortunately there are also some who really enjoy your country.
Iris and I never believed what 'those' Expats told us. They also wanted to convince us that the Philippines is not safe and all that 'bullshit'. But we went out to learn about your country and travelled in the Philippines as often we could. And that was the greatest experience of my life so far. We love your country and the Filipinos. I will never forget those moments we had with all of you there. It was a gift to have the opportunity to be a guest in the Philippines for some years.
I am very sorry that the Expat community is infested with those attitudes and it makes me sad if they are insulting people in their host country. I hope those thoughts could be erradicated in their minds.
Best regards
Tom
Hey Carlos, great site man. Always interesting read.
Here's a couple of links about expats and culture shock in foreign lands that may interest you and some of your readers. The foreign lands in these are USA and Holland. The "other side of the coin" so to speak.
ooops ... forgot to paste the links.
http://studentservices.engr.wisc.edu/international/cultureshock.html
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=6&story_id=21258
Great post and insight. However, I think it happens both ways (i.e. when Pinoys go abroad too). First time I was in NYC in my mid 20s, my American hostess insisted on taking me in her car downtown and warning me about bad elements here and there. I've since lived there and the place is nowhere like the first images I conjured of NYC, thanks to my over-protective hostess. Am back in Manila, and thanks to my experience, I know better.
Carlos ,
Love your work . While not an expat , i'd like to give you 3 experiences i had in the Philippines in the early 80's on my first ever visit .
1. Stargazer Disco , a politicains bodyguard shoots and kills an innocent man ...the bg is never arrested or sentanced ,
2.Three young Muslim men in Zamboanga accost me and force me to kneel with a 9mm pistol to my head , Die Yankee dog or some such slogan ...once they realised i wasnt a yank ( what an insult! ) they let me go .
3. two samml kids approach me on mabini st , begging , as a Christian i'm moved , sadly they pick my pockets , BUT 2 adult filipinos try to stop them , but te 2 little guys were just too good .
This all happened in the first 21 days . Did it stop me ??/ Hell NO! It just made me want to know this country even more .Since then I've experienced so much , the hospitality , the fun , the aweful karaoke , the history the list goes on and on , including marriage to a filipina , and now I'm coming back to show my 2 daughters their Filipino heritage .
So just enjoy every experience that you can , the good the bad the indifferent ....it could happen to you anywhere ! not just in the Philippines . I think the intent of the memo was honourable , though the execution was questionable..could have been written in a better and fairer way .
Hey Carlos,
That memo reminded me of something I read before I came to the Philippines, on a site called www.passport2manila.com:
Clean all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. "Night soil" is still utilized as a source of fertilizer so locally grown produce must be disinfected. An American doctor with the US Embassy recommended soaking all fruits and vegetables, that couldn't be peeled or cooked, in clean, boiled water with a drop of bleach for fifteen minutes, and then in another bath of boiled water (without bleach) for another fifteen minutes.
So you see it could have been worse. What a load of night soil, di ba?
Rhys
Pilipino nga nagsulat nun:) I don't know kung reverse racism (don't shoot!), but as a race we're more likely to revere "Joe." Honestly, how many foreigners would actually go to the places where pickpockets are commonplace like Baclaran, Cubao or Divisoria?
People who send their children to this school would probably shop and vacation elsewhere. A little precaution never hurt, but I think the memo went beyond what was standard.
Someone should have thought to take the memo out of your "goody bag" first.
I think the best place for tourists and foreign visitors to experience Manila is to visit the Ongpin Binondo area. It's near the LRT and nobody would bother them if they go there alone or in pairs.
btw carlos, i don't know if you know this guy, pero meron isang puti (amerikano?) na madalas kong makitang nag-iistambay sa avenida since 2005 pa sa gabi. madalas ko siyang makita pag-december, noong may tiangge sa avenida.
the guy wears the same clothing (white polo shirt, brown pants) everytime i see him. gusto ko ngang kausapin eh, dahil tambay king siya sa avenida. mahilig makipag-usap sa mga tindero/tindera. siguro spy ito ng US. baka kilala mo carlos... hihihi...
Hmm. Not sure which one you are talking about. There are quite a few roaming white people on the north side of the pasig river wandering about. Some are leftover Vietnam vet and another I believe is a crazy French? person.
Hmm. Not sure which one you are talking about. There are quite a few roaming white people on the north side of the pasig river wandering about. Some are leftover Vietnam vet and another I believe is a crazy French? person.
nah, i don't think the guy i'm referring to is crazy. he looks clean and and well dressed. siguro writer ito o gumagawa ng guidebook sa mayniLA. if you've been to avenida during the december tiangge of last year, you can't miss the white dude/istambay king.
anyway, i think i know the crazy french guy. he's old-looking at "kuba". nakikita ko sa escolta at sta. cruz 3-4 years ago. he's probably dead by now.
maganda sana kung may mag-interview sa kanila. know their story. what's their deal.
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