Filipino traits that suck vol. 4
THE DISGUSTING CRAB[ For dummies: The crab mentality - is named after the nature of a crab's behavior in a basket full of other crabs. All the crabs try to make their way up and out of the basket, stepping on other crab's who are also struggling to get out of the basket. Because of this cyclic behavior, none of the crabs ever get out of the basket. ]
An old acquaintance messaged me while I was online. She said that she was finally getting her migration papers arranged after a long time. I thought, "good for you, I'm happy that you're getting things done". In my head I was saying "Don't be a pobre, be a model for others when you get there".
I remember this person heatedly debating with me before that life is better in the Philippines. If I had anything on her, that was it. All that speech about "living a good life here blah blah". And she's migrating? It's quite amusing, if not saddening. It just furthers the theory that people should just shut up and do things instead of speak and speak.
Anyway, back to my "don't be a pobre" advice. I remember once I was in another country walking the city's streets, I run into hundreds of foreigners. For every 50 I would run into, around 2 would smile and greet a complete stranger "howdy!", or "good day", or "have a nice day".
I admire them. Do you know that it takes a greeting from a stranger to brighten up your day more than when someone familiar greets you?
Now if you're filipino and you're in that same foreign city, for every other filipno you'll meet however, when you smile at them, you'll get the "ba't ka andito" (Why are you here?) look. And if it isn't your day, it follows a loathing look. The type that wishes you weren't there.
When you see foreigners in manila, they don't give their fellow german, french, americans, japanese, singaporeans, malaysians, chinese the "WTF are you doing here?" look. In fact it makes them feel more at home to see their citizens of their country in manila too.
[ postsecret mode ON ]
WTF is wrong with you stoopid flips?!
[ postsecret mode OFF ]
This is the general impression I get when you see NEW Filipinos abroad when they meet their "kababayan" (fellow countrymen). They have this urge to put down the ones that are already there. Take note I specifically mentioned "NEW". For those who have lived some years there, this syndrome rubs off. They have adopted the foreigner way of making fellow flips feel at home. My take is that there is an air of envy for those who have been there just now and those who have migrated before. I don't know what is the big deal behind all this. It's like a filipino not wanting anyone of his/her own race to be there other than him/herself.
That is just so fuckin' crabby. (Yes, it's "crabby", not "crappy"). If I had any say in all that, filipinos with that attitude should be deported permanently, wherever country they are in. Honestly, never have I heard of a race of people who put down each other's successes instead of being happy for their fellow countrymen other than the "pobre" in manila. Hell, rich filipinos are much better people. Just like Jaz said before, they downplay their fortunes and don't crave for attention.
Don't worry. This is hell no generalization. I am lucky to know a good number of sensible filipinos that are very warm, even to strangers, and not in their own country. They should be examples for others wanting to migrate. Perhaps the key here is not to live your life as if life owes you something for the opportunity lost.
You will only grow bitter with disappointment.
And you will always still be in the basket.
Good thing is, I'm sure that friend of mine will not be in the basket.
posted by Urban Warrior @ 12:00 PM
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