Just Who Has The Cultural Gap?

[i am bob]

I was reading another post and saw this come up...  The poster was stating that there is a very large cultural gap between 'Kanos and Filipinas...  (or all Filipinos in general could be given).  But just who has that cultural gap?  Is it the Filipino trying to assimilate a Westerner into their way of life?  Or is it the Westerner trying to slip into a society foreign to his own?  I have my ideas which I will put down later but I am really interested in what others have to say about this...  So?

 

:unsure:  :no:  :rolleyes:  :mocking:

[fred]

Thats a tough one!!

In the UK I have known many Filipino`s either married to other Filipino`s or to a Brit and if we were ever invited to a Birthday party etc we were usually served the obligatory sweet spaghetti with a scoop of ice cream on top.  

I think it all depends on the individual..No matter if they are from a Western culture or an Asian one.

It is what it is!

[Old55]

A thoughtful question Bob.

We each have capacity to change but must recognize those things we can't.

The easy answer would be location, but it's still not that easy. Respect, compromise, patience and humor living in another culture.

Respect and love living with another?

[Gerald Glatt]

Bob, I have come to the conclusion that there is no cultural gap between me and any other region or nation.  If a person just listens to me and agrees with me, all is well.  If they don't they must be female. Now I am not a stubborn person, so if something can be shown to be correct I can change therefore no 'gap'.  As to the female.........what is it that she would like to hear. Gentlemen say anything....reduce the gap....come closer and embrace another culture.  Then say "See you in the morning" and run to the pub for stimulating discussion on the difference n culture with your multination buds. Have one on me.

[MacBubba]

Just to add to the complexity...I have observed cultural gaps among Filipinos.

[Old55]

Just to add to the complexity...I have observed cultural gaps among Filipinos.

 

That's just crazy talk. :th_thbestpost:

[Lou49]

I was reading another post and saw this come up...  The poster was stating that there is a very large cultural gap between 'Kanos and Filipinas...  (or all Filipinos in general could be given).  But just who has that cultural gap?  Is it the Filipino trying to assimilate a Westerner into their way of life?  Or is it the Westerner trying to slip into a society foreign to his own?  I have my ideas which I will put down later but I am really interested in what others have to say about this...  So?

 

:unsure:  :no:  :rolleyes:  :mocking:

It is both.

[Jack Peterson]

Just to add to the complexity...I have observed cultural gaps among Filipinos.

 

 

Oh! yes  most certainly. I have realised in my 2 years here Permanently, that there is a very, much apparent, Us and Them situation ( the Haves and the Have Nots) my daughter (15) is reluctant to go to certain members of the families houses because they are small, wood or just not, what she likes.[ She forgets, that before we built this house, we rented a rundown house] Gone (Well at least going) are the traditional , Cultural get togethers that were once, so important to most Families.

 

The Haves, tend to have Birthday/Fiesta etc. Parties, like we Westerners are used to, the Have Nots, just carry on in the way they were brought up.

 

We Invite all, but the havenots , will say they are ashamed to attend and another gap opens. The Haves will shy clear, of the Have Nots. I ask myself, is it a Cultural Gap or are we getting a Class Gap?  It is all about Money, I am sure. I try to explain to my daughter, who! is convinced, we are better than others because we do, have money and they ( My Wife and daughter) will never go hungry.

 

I was a Council ( Government) House kid, that did OK. I have never, forgotten my Beginnings and I have always tried to impress on her ( my Daughter) that we are all the same underneath. As long as people forget, their  beginnings and start to lose or forget, their culture, there will be a gap and I can see it getting a lot Wider.

 

This is of course, only My, Opinion but I will say "Keeping up with the Jones's" is not the way to live a life and this, I fear, is what is happening, in the Philippines today! To me, They are creating there own US and THEM situation and this is a great pity.

 

 

JP :tiphat:

[Methersgate]

I agree with Jack.

If I may add a thought, the Have Nots  assume that foreigners are like the Haves.

 

That explains the excessive deference with which we foreigners are treated and the real fear with which the Have Nots treat us

 

We must be like the Haves because the Haves have what we have and do what look from the outside like the same things.

From our point of view the Haves are vulgar and greedy and often cruel, treating their servants badly, running after money and status and with no taste. But from the point of view of the Have Nots we look like the Haves.

Until a Filipino or a Filipina has lived amongst foreigners outside the Philippines, he or she cannot understand the difference.

There is a reason why one of the greatest Filipino novels is called "The Pretenders" 

Edited July 24, 2014 by Methersgate

[Jack Peterson]

There is a reason why one of the greatest Filipino novels is called "The Pretenders" 

 

 

 

Many, Filipinos call other Filipinos,  the Plastics. Now we have some answers for you Bob, new found money from wherever, can and is causing some problems. A bit like a Poor man winning the "Lottery' never coming to terms with it and not understanding it's Implications.  I don't believe it is all our (The Foreigners) fault. I will Admit, we do not help at times but that is what we are. we are just trying to Adapt our old lifestyle, into this emerging place. To me, it is the new money, that the OSW is bringing in that seems to bring the gap. Some rising too far above a station, they never knew existed before.

 

I have heard one Visiting OSW actually call her niece a Pleb, now where, in the Filipino language did that come from.

 

To answer one of your parts to the Question Bob, I firmly believe in most cases it is the many Filipinos that are trying to emulate us (The Foreigner) and making a bad job of it. All i can say now, on the Subject, is what My, niece told my Daughter, "Be careful what you ask for" and please Remember, One day you will, need us. I do hope that many will learn lessons, that we have all learned before ourselves, "You Never need to look up to anyone but never look down on anyone also"

 

A wonderful Race of people, that could be ruined by money! We know, do we not, "Money is the Root of all evil"

 

 

 

JP :tiphat: