Filipino Culture Often Causes Misunderstandings
Filipino culture is Asian based and of course Philippines based. It goes deeper than thought. A couple of months ago I discovered the thoughts on two different culture styles known as “high context culture” vs “low context culture.” The term and observations were introduced by Edward T. Hall, and developed by anthropologist in his book “Beyond Culture.” You can buy it for less than $12 at Amazon with that link. I’d like to have it but it isn’t on Kindle so I won’t buy it. I’d really like to have it. Even though it came out in 1976 it seems very interesting. There is also a lot of free information on Wikipedia.
High Context Versus Low Context Culture
- High Context Culture — Found in less diverse localities or countries.
- Low Context Culture — Found in more diverse localities or countries.
The Filipino culture is one of high context while the USA and most European countries are considered low context. The USA is the great melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world live there. There are huge difference in the culture of black people and white people though those differences have become much less dramatic in the last 10 years, they are still present.
When people have similar backgrounds, they don’t need to say as much to make their selves understood. A high context culture will allow the culture to do more of their speaking.
When a people have a huge diversity more needs to be said to ensure the same level of understanding.
Filipino Culture Vs Western Culture
Does your Filipina girlfriend seem secretive? Do you have to pry information out of her? Is it hard to get her to expand on what she means?
I have found this to be very true. I observed this, even before I was actually living in the Philippines. I was sometimes frustrated with trying to understand things.
Filipino often sees Americans as loud and obnoxious. Unfortunately, many times I see them the same way. We certainly are more outspoken and that includes myself too. I use to think it was the rebellious nature of Americans and it might be part of it. Also, Americans have a keen sense of not accepting and blindly following our political leaders. It seems to me that we are far less accepting of “Well, that’s just the way it is.”
I’ve heard that term many times since I began living in the Philippines. I think Filipino culture being a high context one gives rise to the perception to Westerners that that Filipino are “highly compliant.” That was a term I heard from a foreigner living in the Philippines soon after I arrived.
I somewhat accepted that but at times it just didn’t seem to apply at all. I think now it really just more of our own perceptions due to our lack of understanding what goes unsaid in Filipino culture.
I also think difference leads some to question the honesty of Filipino. Now, I know there are some lying Filipino, trust me I know. Especially Filipina you will meet on the web. That’s not the Philippines, these are scamming Internet girls. It isn’t the same thing.
Lovers Quarrel
Since the Filipina may leave much unsaid, it can and does lead the appearance of dishonesty. Now there are other reasons for their
Rusty and Ela (Not My girlfriend)
brevity which is often to avoid conflict. Sometimes it is they do not wish to bother their man with problems. And yes, sometimes it is just pure conniving lying. But don’t assume your loved one is lying to you when she leaves things out. It could be all of the reasons I’ve talked about above.
The differences between Filipino culture and Western culture are vast and often lead to those in both cultures drawing inaccurate conclusions.
If you want to be happy living in the Philippines it really behooves you to understand Filipino culture.
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Tagged with: Filipino Culture • Living In The Philippines
Filed under: Filipino Culture
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Americans just can not leave well enough alone,we like to change things that don’t seem done right!We will bitch and moan until we get our way.Were the filipino will believe nothing can be done about that.I remember standing outside the front door of my wifes house one day while watching the 2 stroke tricycles drive bye the house just making a hell of alot of noise and blowing huge clouds of grey smoke out their tailpipes.I was mad as hell about this.gets hard to breath.
Well I do see alot of changes happening in the Islands,now the 2 stroke is being phased out and replaced by clean burning 4 strokes.
I guess I was not the only Loud Mouth.
When American’s try to change the Philippines for what doesn’t seem right, they are being arrogant and usually having delusions of grandeur.
The restrictions on 2 cycle engines has been in place for a least three years. I don’t recall the specifics though.
I think it is a misconception that Filipino accept things as being unchangeable. You know though, it may be that they tend to work more as a team. I think Filipino tend to bring change about in more subtle ways. Disputes are generally handled politely. I know I have wanted to rip into my landlords a few times. It wouldn’t be an acceptable way of dealing with things. I generally let Jessie do it and it seems to work most of the time.
When disputes do escalate, it is usually in a private way. Someone may end up dead but there is unlikely to be a lot of loud posturing in the process. Last week, there was a dispute between some Filipino. It was solved with a grenade. One man threw himself on the grenade to protect his family. He lost his life. It happened in Cebu, I think it was in the city but I’m not sure.
Hi there I find your articles so interesting to read and I want to thank your wife Jessie A. Ferguson for doing such a great job on answering all your query. Thank you too for finding time to learn, respect & understand our culture and sharing it to the world. I could sense truthfulness in every word you wrote in all your article. Hope all expats were like you.
Thank you Rolfaneub, lately several people, Filipino seem to not understand what I’m saying and see that I’m quite positive in my feelings about the wonderful people of the Philippines.
Yes, Jessie has helped me a great deal but I talk to as many people as I can so I can have questions to ask of her. 
Thanks for your comment!
"Since the Filipina may leave much unsaid, it can and does lead the appearance of dishonesty. Now there are other reasons for their brevity which is often to avoid conflict." True, Rusty but…
That's an understatement in my experience. Her complaint "I talk too much" (true)… Mine, if I didn't talk nothing would be said and the house would remain silent; except for small talk, TV (Wow Wow We) etc. This really bothered me and did induce some distrust. Question is, how can a couple work things out w/o talking? Seems to be harmful to hold everything inside and let it build up. And it's rather boring to me.
And it's not that way with Filipino's. Seemed to me, the men are much more open (and interesting) to talk with. As you seem to say, don't try to change things in another culture. Either go along with it, or go away from it. I think I will be just like a Filipina this time. Just keep my mouth shut, use some facial expressions, answer a question with another question, or ignore, like I didn't hear what was said.. I won't go low and out-right lie though. But being like a Filipiina on the silence issue might prove to be interesting. Ask not want not. I love Filipina's so what else is guy to do?