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House Guest Rules
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Are there any rules in Philippines people’s houses? I’m joining a business trip in Philippines 2 next weeks. Stay at a colleague’s home. I have not talked with her before. So I am not at ease to ask her about house rules or cultures.
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There are general universal house rules, some nuances & distinct practices based on socio- economic status, ethnolinguistic group, religion (christianity is dominant) etc . I can cite some common practices & in the absence of details — you just have to learn beforehand, observe & discern your actions befitting a guest & the kind of household that will host you. It is important to bear in mind that the people in general are known for their hospitality, & would offer a guest the best they have or they could offer. 1) there are households where you leave your shoes outside the main door of the house. There may be slippers for you to use or none. Your companion (the household member) gets in first & introduce you to the elders & then to the rest of the household. The elders could extend their hand for a handshake, or for you to touch their hand with your forehead, or if not at all, just bow your head with a smile. A hug is confined only to family members, close associates etc. 2) Wherever in the house, observe where you may be seated esp at the dining table. Partake of every dish on the table to show appreciation. 3) It is important to join the conversation on appropriate subjects & be respectful esp to elders. 4) It is thoughtful to have with you an inexpensive gift usually a preserved food ( don’t spoil easily) that everyone could partake after the introductions & pleasantries . 5) In an average household, there is only one bathroom & the water service is usually unreliable. If that is the case, ask discreetly the good time for you to use the bathroom & if you are the kind that linger, be up before everybody are. Be prudent in the use of water if supply is unreliable. 6) Again, depending on the household, bring an extra slipper for bathroom use & your iwn toiletries & towel. 7) If there are adult males in the household, you may be asked one evening for a drink in or outside the house. Be sure to arrange with your companion ( household member) & make a graceful exit as this usually is a long nite of socialization esp during a weekend. Offer to buy one bottle (usually local inexpensive) for one round of drinks if it looks like it will be a long nite. If just one round of a bottle of beer, don’t bother. You can return the gesture the following nite or on the nite of your departure — but never on a friday or a weekend nite. When you return to the house at the end of the day, when household members are around — take time for some small talk & gracefully excuse yourself, or end up in their company till everyone decide to turn in late in the night. 9) Whenever u have to go to the bathroom or need a glass of water at nite, have a flashlight with you or could be mistaken for a burglar — if there are no nite lites. Also useful with frequent power outage. Check any schedule of power outages as better not to be out in the streets when that happen. 10) People are curious & tend to ask personal questions so be prepared to the extent u can share about yourself. 11) The day before your departure, you may bring any inexpensive food (dessert, fruits etc) that everybody can partake as a gesture of gratitude or something esp for the elderly & children. It’s the thought that counts.
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Hi, I am not a native person, I had just lived in the Philippines for 3 months. I know a little bit about their cultures that may be very useful to you. Firstly, you should take off your shoes before coming into their house. They'll give you inside slippers to use. Don't worry, OK?Also, you should eat or at least taste food, instead of refusing to eat when they are ordered to you.In the Philippines, people use spoons and forks. It may be hard for you to be familiar with if you often use chopsticks Ah, one thing I want to remind you is the toilet. In many houses, they don't have modern toilets, so they use a "tabo". You know this? Try using itIn the kitchen, the Philippines store a type of broom that includes a stick and a bundle of straws. My friend told me that it is an indispensable cleaning item to clean up messes after cooking…When will you start your trip? It is a good idea for you to prepare a gift for your housemate. Have you got any idea in your mind? Check the Pulito triangle multipurpose mop that will be essential and useful for different floors, your partner may love it.