Etiquette in Philippines

Proper Social Behavior in the Philippines

Etiquette in The Philippines

Never call anyone over to you by saying "Psst."

Never beckon someone by using your index finger in a raised 'come to me' fashion.

From "Top 10 Hand Gestures You'd Better Get Right."

The “Dog Call”

"Curling your index finger towards you in a summoning motion is a gesture generally linked with seductive temptresses in Hollywood movies, beckoning for their targeted men to follow them into another room.

Calling a dog.

Beware, however, of using this gesture. 

In the Philippines – it’s a method of communication considered worthy only to use on dogs and is actually punishable by arrest. Worst of all, they’ll break your index finger in order to prevent you from committing the same crime again!"

Emma, the author of the article about hand gestures concludes the article with "So, there you have it – ten of the most popular (and most globally misunderstood) hand gestures, in all their glory.  .... the best idea when travelling abroad is probably to keep both hands pinned to your sides. Permanently."

Filipinos are very gracious people, but never insult Anyone!

"Never Insult a Filipino – It may be the last thing you do.  Insults are taken very seriously and if you cause a Filipino to lose face, expect to be shunned by them and their family. Losing face is taken very seriously here and sometimes, if the offense is bad, the knives will come out. It’s best to be respectful and complimentary to anyone you talk to."

Business Etiquette in the Philippines (an article in USA Today.)

Manners while riding in jeepneys.

Manners when riding in tricycles.

Commuter etiquette Jeepney, Bus, Train

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Avoid Crime in Philippines

Crime in The Philippines

Avoid Criminals in the Philippines

Setups in hotel rooms - legal age lady invites an underage girl to the room (a "sister," "cousin," etc.) - next thing you know a police officer will be at the door. You will need an attorney!

Pickpockets in malls, in jeepneys, on sidewalks, in crowds.

Robbery at gunpoint - stay alert.

Be careful where you walk at night.

Ask someone where not to walk (eg. a security guard or a desk clerk at your hotel.)

Snatchers - will grab the necklace off your girl's neck and run.

Someone tries to befriend you - "Hey Joe, I've been to the US also..." - don't answer, just keep walking.

Someone tries to sell you a gun - it is illegal for foreigners to own guns - see self defense in the Philippines.

Be especially alert in bus stations.

On the bus, sit near the front of the bus so that you can make a hasty exit if armed robbers get on the bus and start demanding money (advice from a police officer.)

The two locks shown above will adjust to fit different inswing doors.

Carry some kind of traveler's security door lock to use when staying in hotel rooms. Try it when you preview the room. Make sure it fits the door before you check in.

On two occasions someone has tried to get into my hotel room in the Philippines. One time, at a cheap hotel in Batangas, the person used a tool, which left marks on the door and door frame, while we were sleeping. In the morning I noticed a lot of pry marks and it was hard to open the door. The other time, at the Mariche Apartelle in Cavite (across from SM Bacoor Mall), we were awake and heard someone trying our door. Both times I had inserted a steel lock like the one in the second image. It foiled both attempts to get in.

If you would like to order a lock, like the one I use, contact me. This lock works on doors which swing into the room.

Here is an idea for a makeshift lock made out of a common dinner fork. It does not appear very secure, but it looks like it would make some noise if entry was attempted, and it would provide more security than no lock at all.

Avoid Criminals. DO NOT do the following:

Do not wear gold jewelry in the Philippines.
Do not wear diamond rings in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive glasses in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive watches in the Philippines.
Do not display expensive cell phones or tablets.
Do not drive expensive cars in the Philippines.
Do not carry a lot of cash.
Do not hire taxicabs that have no signs on the doors or on the windowsills inside the car.
Do not walk on dark streets.
Do not be a belligerent, overbearing, bossy foreigner.

Never call anyone "stupid" if you value your life.
Always be "nice" and respectful.

Maintain a low profile as much as possible.
However, all Anglos are considered "rich" by the majority of Filipinos. In fact, all foreigners are considered rich.

Do not buy gold jewelry or diamonds or any expensive items for your Filipino girlfriend. Unless she is rich by Philippine standards, she or some member of her family will probably eventually pawn them (if they have not already been stolen from her by a stranger, "friend" or family member.) Save these purchases for after you are married. Keep in mind she may be a scammer.

This is not a complete list of tips but it should be helpful. Will add more later.

Be alert and have a good time in the Philippines.

Have you been a victim of a break in, a snatcher or a pickpocket? Or do you have ideas regarding security? Please share your experience or suggestions with other readers by making a comment below.

Update Sept. 25, 2015: Abduction close to Davao on the island of Mindanao. Read a startling and enlightening news report about it here. 

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about crime in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

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English is taught in schools in the Philippines. However, there are many Filipinos who do not speak English or who do not speak it fluently.

If you have not found some girls or ladies in the Philippines who may be a match for you check out my article about finding your Filipina match. There are many girls and young ladies who will be interested in communicating with you. Most of the girls who work for merchants in the shopping malls are college graduates. The Philippines abounds with lovely ladies. Start your search now and you may be in the Philippines meeting with that special someone sooner that you think.

If your goal is marriage, you must meet her in the Philippines and be able to document your meeting with emails, photos together and with her family, etc.

Have you found a lady in the Philippines who does not speak English or who speaks very little English? Do you need an interpreter?

We can translate for you for a very low fee. We interpret text or verbally in 3-way phone calls or verbally during live video chat where you and your friend or up to 10 people may participate.

We can arrange 3-way phone calling between you, your new friend and our interpreter. Or we can arrange for

3-way video chat via Google Hangouts, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, or OoVoo. More than 3 persons may video chat in some of these services. Our interpreter speaks English and Tagalog. Many Filipinos speak Tagalog (or Filipino). Especially those who live on the big island of Luzon (where Manila and Angeles City are located.)

If your friend is from a province where a language other than Filipino is spoken, we can arrange a translator, who speaks that language and English, to serve as your interpreter.

Contact me to inquire about our services.

List of speakers per language (from en.wikipedia.org)

Below are population estimates from the 2000 Philippine census by National Statistics Office of the Philippines on the number of Filipinos who speak the following 19 languages as a native language.

Name of Philippine language	Number of native speakers
Tagalog	22,000,000
Cebuano	21,000,000
Ilocano	7,700,000
Hiligaynon	7,000,000
Waray-Waray	3,100,000
Kapampangan	2,900,000
Northern Bicol[12]	2,500,000
Pangasinan	2,434,086
Southern Bicol[13]	1,200,000
Chavacano	1,200,000
Meranaw	1,150,000
Maguindanao	1,100,000
Kinaray-a	1,051,000
Tausug	1,022,000
Surigaonon	1,000,000
Masbateño	530,000
Aklanon	520,000
Ibanag	320,000
Español	2,000

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about translate this blog, interpreters in the Philippines. Interpreting between Filipino, Tagalog or other dialects and English. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

Pharmacies

Drugstores in The Philippines

It was suggested that I take "Imodium" to settle my stomach if I ever got a touch of food poisoning. I used it on several occasions, and it always worked in a matter of an hour or two. It is available at a drugstore near you. Use the store locators to find a

 nearby Mercury Drug store, Watson's drug store, or 

a Generics Pharmacy (scroll down the Generics page.) 

Most other drug stores in the Philippines have 

Imodium also.

Drugstores in the Philippines

See my article about "Foods To Avoid in the Philippines."

Imodium relieved my several bouts
 of "food poisoning" quickly each time.

Whatever your needs, larger drug stores will probably 

have what you want. You do not always need a 

prescription. For example, when we urgently needed an

inhaler we were able to get one without a prescription.

Mercury Drug and Watson's have stores in the large 

shopping malls and other locations.

Mercury Drug Stores are
near many larger hospitals.

If you visit a doctor in a clinic or in a hospital the 

doctor will probably suggest that you fill your 

prescription at an outside pharmacy. I have experienced this at Makati Medical Center and also at AUF Medical Center in Angeles City. Apparently, the in-house pharmacies in hospitals are not well equipped.

Open-air Drug Stores are found
all over the Philippines.

There are many small open-air pharmacies along city

sidewalks.

You do not always need a prescription to obtain 

medications in drugstores in the Philippines. Just ask. 

If you cannot get it at one drugstore, try another. For 

example, when we needed an asthma inhaler we

were able to get one without a prescription.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about drug stores or pharmacies in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.