Philippine customs

People in the upper class of the Philippines, due to the influence of Western society, the trend of giving priority to women is very popular. No matter what they do, they are generally used to giving special care to women. However, in the countryside, women's status is very low because there are mostly more women than men. The lifestyle of the upper class is limited to imitation, and they like the American lifestyle best.

They have a strong sense of family and generally like to be talked about and praised by others. People in the upper class generally like suits; ordinary people, men like white shirts and suit pants; women like to wear collarless dresses or sand cages; the elderly still like to wear hemp or grass or wooden slippers. They love jasmine the most. I think jasmine is fragrant and gives people a happy and beautiful impression. People respect it as the national flower and regard it as a symbol of purity, sentiment and friendship. Hospitality Filipinos, when welcoming guests, often string jasmine flowers into beautiful wreaths and present them around the guests' necks to show their innocent friendship with visiting guests.

1. social etiquette

Filipinos are used to shaking hands when they meet guests in social occasions. When interfacing with acquaintances or relatives and friends, they are generally very casual. When some men and women meet, they often pat on the shoulder to show their courtesy. When young people meet their elders, they should kiss the back of their hands to show their respect for the elderly; when young girls see their elders, they should kiss their cheeks as a gift; if the younger generation meets their elders, they should take off their turban and put it on their shoulders before speaking, bow deeply, and call their elders "bo" (meaning uncle). When Muslims meet, they must shake hands with both hands. If they meet outdoors without a hat, they must cover their heads with their left hand. Some primitive tribes in the Philippines have a unique way of shaking hands when they meet their guests. As soon as he shook his hand, he turned and walked a few steps back, meaning to show the opponent that there was no hidden knife behind him. They think this is the sincere and real handshake.

2. religious beliefs

Most Filipinos believe in Roman Catholicism; a small number of people believe in Islam; most ethnic minorities believe in primitive religions. People who believe in primitive religions believe in animism, worship natural gods, especially crocodiles and birds, and believe that there is a kind of god bird that is the great and almighty god of creation. It creates heaven, earth and people, called Batara.

3. taboo behavior

Filipinos are very taboo about the "13" number. It is considered that "13" is a "fierce god", a symbol of doom and disaster, and a very disgusting number. They are taboo to pass things or food with their left hand. Think that the left hand is a dirty and cheap hand, and using the left hand is a great disrespect to people. They are generally reluctant to talk about politics, religion and the state of their country and corruption. Islam taboo pigs. They fast pork and use pig products. Nor do they drink milk or hard alcohol. Filipinos don't like to eat ginger; they don't like to eat animal viscera and fishy things; they are not interested in the whole fish.

4. eating habits

Filipino rural people generally eat rice and corn as their staple food. Non-staple foods are mainly various vegetables, seafood, egg poultry and meat. Dishes like more seasonings, especially spicy seasonings. The Bajiao people on the coast of Zamboanga City and Sulu waters in the Philippines are used to feeding on cassava and fish. They seldom eat rice. Although beef, mutton and pork are not avoided, most people are anorexic. They like to eat all kinds of fruits, especially sugar cane. Filipinos are addicted to betel nut in their daily life. In their hospitality, betel nut is always indispensable. In addition to this custom, the Igoro people also like to chew tobacco. They are used to eating western food, but they are also interested in Chinese food. The upper class is used to eating with knives and forks, while rural people and Muslim believers use their right hands to grab food.