Culture Shock in The Philippines

Realize it’s a different language and all that might entail.. 

There are over 80 dialects within the Philippines, with each dialect being so different that it may as well be considered a different language rather than a dialect. There are completely different words for an object or action from one dialect to another. This can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings. 

These miscommunications can also occur if a native person speaks English. Consider that “English” often isn’t taught in many other countries exactly the same way that we learn it in Europe, Australia or America. Body language also has new meaning. Misunderstandings are common, even in my family.

Consider climate differences. 

Often there are different climates in different parts of the world. Are you really going to be comfortable where the winter temperatures are like summer in Los Angeles, but the air is much more humid? A little more culture shock for you.

Think about local transportation.

Driving patterns and habits can be more foreign than you might imagine.

Although accidents are rare, driving in The Philippines seems haphazard at best. Traffic laws are rarely enforced. 

The most common private vehicle in The Philippines is the small motorcycle. 

Then there’s the public transportation. This is how the vast majority of Filipinos get around.

Even if, like most, you choose to take that public transportation, you might learn that’s quite foreign as well.

For example, in The Philippines there are no taxis except in the largest cities and no local bus lines. For local transportation, you’ll find a tricycle is the norm. 

What? A tricycle? Yes, a tricycle. Remember, we’re talking about a third world country where poverty is pandemic. People cannot afford $20 taxi rides here. 

In The Philippines a tricycle is a small, 100 to 150CC motorcycle with a welded-on sidecar for more passengers.

Often times a tricycle driver travels at a speed of about 10 to 20 M.P.H. so as to conserve gasoline and traverse the rough roads without throwing off any of his passengers. 

Many times some of those passengers are riding on the sides and top of the sidecar. There are usually 2 passengers behind the driver on the seat of the motorcycle. The fare to travel about 5 miles is the equivalent of roughly 14 cents American money.

Consider also the difference in Intermediate and Long Distance Transportation. 

You’ll accomplish this type of transportation on a Jeepney, a minivan or a bus if you opt for public land based transportation. 

A Jeepney is a converted 1940’s vintage diesel powered Jeep Troop Carrier, left behind in The Philippines after America defeated Japan in the Second World War. They were made for when the average American male was about 3” to 4” shorter and much slimmer; they are definitely not designed for the comfort of a modern day American or European.

You’ll learn that they can fit up to 10 people to a side of a Jeepney, with the passengers all sitting along the sides on 2 long bench seats facing each other. The seats are usually quite hard with little cushion. The “air conditioning” is nothing more than open windows so you can smell all the fumes from the smoke spewing from vehicles in front of you. There are no emission controls here. 

Then there are the 14 passenger minivans. This is a minivan with a back seat for 5, a middle seat for 3 and a seat behind the driver for 4. This seat behind the driver was obviously designed for 2 or 3 but here they seat 4 in that seat. Two passengers ride beside the driver. No seat belts are worn on any of these modes of transportation. 

Filipinos - and Filipinas - are quite accustomed to overcrowded trikes, Jeepneys and minivans. They are generally much smaller than Americans in body size and weight so fitting themselves inside is not as difficult as it might be for most Americans. The fare for a Jeepney? It’s 52 Filipino pesos, or a little over $1 for a 30 mile trip. A van is a little more, but at least the vans offer air conditioned overcrowding.

The full sized buses aren’t much better and are more expensive than the Jeepneys or vans. Like all the other options, buses are also greatly overcrowded. Air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses are an option if you don’t mind paying the extra fare. I don’t know the fare, as I’ve bitten the bullet and used Jeepneys or vans to this point to conserve money.

Foods and Eating Habits are different – much different!

While fresh fruits and vegetables are home grown and quite plentiful, the main staple here in The Philippine Islands is white rice. Although white rice doesn’t offer much in the way of nutritional value, it does make the belly feel full. Even McDonald’s sells much more rice as a side dish in The Philippines than French Fries.

Rice is commonly grown here, while potatoes are a bit more scarce – and expensive.

Understand that the average Filipino or Filipina earns about $1,000 to $2,000 per year and you’ll begin to understand why they opt for a diet of cheaper foods rather than always the tastiest or most nutritious. When they can afford to eat, they eat what they can buy. Hamburger meat, like an “underprivileged” American might eat, is considered expensive and unattainable for many.

To be blunt, compared to the typical third world resident, there are no underprivileged Americans. 

There’s no welfare safety net in The Philippines. If you’re unemployed, you may starve. 

Regarding eating habits, most Filipinos shovel their food into a spoon with a fork, eating quickly and using both hands. Many of the poorer Filipinos use only their fingers.

Population Density is tough to comprehend, but you must if you really want to define culture shock. This is part of it.

The Philippine Islands is roughly the size of Colorado, but has over 10 times the population. There are hordes of people almost everywhere you go. Pedestrians are common on highways as well as side streets. Just one more part of culture shock.

Think about the physical appearance. 

That’s different, too, if you’re a Westerner. Original native Filipinos were – and still are - actually similar in appearance to the Aborigines of Australia. There are only a few of them left, but they do still exist. They are quite short, usually less than 5 feet tall, with very dark skin, flat noses and very curly or kinky hair. 

Over the centuries, many of them have mingled with Malaysians, Chinese, Spanish and Americans. The Americans occupied The Philippines for years, and the Spanish for centuries before that. The Chinese influence is strong.

You’ll usually find Filipinos (the males) and Filipinas (the females) offer a mix of a Polynesian appearance with a bit of an Asian look. There might also be a Mestiza look among the ones who mixed with the Spanish or Americans. The Mestizas are considered by most Filipinos to be the most beautiful of all.

Thanks to the short stature and the predominance of silky, black hair and almond shaped brown eyes of almost all the natives, Filipinos usually stare at Americans and Europeans out of sheer curiosity. Depending upon the individual, this can cause the foreigner to feel a bit awkward. Another aspect of culture shock in a third world country.

Understand the risk of crime. 

Along with poverty comes gambling, alcohol and drug abuse. If the poverty wasn’t bad enough on its own, the resulting vices mixed with the hunger results in plenty of theft. It’s often not safe to be alone for a foreigner in a third world country, and that’s also true in The Philippines. 

Westerners – particularly Americans - and Australians are all viewed as “rich”. The actual safety depends upon your location and attitude. Arrogance or flamboyance will make enemies and targets. 

Personally, I feel quite comfortable going into the nearest town for an errand during the day, but at night I’ll only go in the company of a family member. That being said, I still feel safer here in The Philippines than in many American cities.

Consider recreation. Unless you enjoy going to the beach or perhaps snorkeling, there really isn't much to do.

Except in the big cities like Manila or Cebu, there’s very little recreation and few distractions to relieve the anxiety for many foreigners. For those who don’t handle culture shock well, living outside a major city in a third world country like The Philippines can be too difficult to handle. 

Where I am there are no movie houses. There’s one television and one radio station in my small city of around 100,000. Both are broadcast in the Filipino language. If you have enough money, depending upon your location, you might be able to get cable television which offers numerous English language stations.

Consider recreation. Unless you enjoy going to the beach or perhaps snorkeling, there really isn't much to do.

Except in the big cities like Manila or Cebu, there’s very little recreation and few distractions to relieve the anxiety for many foreigners. For those who don’t handle culture shock well, living outside a major city in a third world country like The Philippines can be too difficult to handle. 

Where I am there are no movie houses. There’s one television and one radio station in my small city of around 100,000. Both are broadcast in the Filipino language. If you have enough money, depending upon your location, you might be able to get cable television which offers numerous English language stations.

Think about health care.

Realize that you might not be covered by your American Health Insurance if you visit The Philippins. Why? Because most insurers consider most if not all the medical facilities outside Manila to be less than adequate. Many medications are simply not available.

Consider religion, too. 

Most Filipinos are simply happy to be alive and to know Christ. This is truly a predominately Christian nation, but a poor one. Although I’ve become accustomed, culture shock for a Westerner really can be overwhelming. See the resources section for more information if you’re considering living in the Philippines.

So do you have a better understanding of what I mean by "culture shock" now? I hope so!