Breaking Down Filipino Cultural Norms: A Guide to Social Etiquette

Breaking Down Filipino Cultural Norms: A Guide to Social Etiquette

When it comes to cultural norms, the Philippines has a rich history and a diverse population. From the way we greet each other to the way we conduct business, there are specific customs and practices that we follow. In this article, we’ll delve deep into Filipino cultural norms and social etiquette, giving you a comprehensive guide to navigating social situations in the Philippines.

Socializing and Greeting

In the Philippines, people place a strong emphasis on family and community, which makes socializing a crucial aspect of the Filipino culture. In social situations, it’s common to greet everyone present with a friendly ‘hello’ or ‘good afternoon.’ The traditional greeting in Tagalog is “Mabuhay,” which means ‘Live.’

The first meeting with someone new is referred to as ‘pagpapaalam’ or ‘pamamaalam.’ During this introduction, it’s recommended to provide a handshake. For Filipinos, the manner in which we greet someone is critical. When greeting or saying goodbye to an elder, we place the back of their hand on our forehead or our forehead on their hand to show respect. Such a gesture is called ‘mano’ and is used only for elder people.

Dining Etiquette

Dining in the Philippines is a social event, and we take pride in our food. The emphasis on hospitality is a significant sign of respect for our guests. Filipinos are known for serving more than enough foods, and they usually insist on offering seconds or even thirds to their guests. Refusing such an offer is generally taken as a sign of rudeness.

If invited to dine at someone’s home, it’s referred to as ‘mag-ambag.’ This is when guests may bring food or drinks for everyone to enjoy. As a sign of respect, it’s essential to accept food or drinks that are offered, even if you don’t wish to partake in the meal.

Moreover, when dining in the Philippines, it’s common to use bare hands instead of utensils, particularly for eating rice, meats, and vegetables. It’s usual for us to use a spoon and fork when eating, but the knife is rarely seen on the table.

Business and Workplace Etiquette

In the Philippines, the workplace is often seen as a hierarchical structure, with employees looking towards their superiors. Business etiquette is crucial in the workplace here, from addressing people politely to being punctual for meetings. The dress code for business meetings is formal attire.

When entering a meeting, we approach the senior person first, shake his or her hand, and say ‘magandang araw’ or ‘good morning.’ We address people with their titles or their last names, such as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’. Filipinos believe that addressing someone by their name without any title or honorific could be considered impolite.

Gift-Giving Etiquette

Filipinos consider gift-giving as an essential way of showing respect, gratitude, and friendship. When bringing a gift, it’s best to keep it simple but thoughtful. The gesture itself is usually more important than the gift. It is customary for a guest to bring a small gift (wrapped or unwrapped) when invited to a Filipino home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Filipino culture is unique and has its customs and traditions, which are practiced in daily life. Knowing and understanding the customs is essential for anyone who wishes to live or work in the Philippines. Good manners and proper etiquette display respect for the culture and the people. Adhering to the social etiquette in the Philippines fosters relationships with the people and helps one to fit in more smoothly.