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Culture Differences for Canadians
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If I move to Philippines from Canada, what should I expect?
goodoleboy
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If I move to Philippines from Canada, what should I expect?
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Expect it to be hot or hotter! You can expect that no one will tell you if you are dressed improperly or if you are doing anything offensive, rude, or weird, because people here are extremely non-confrontational and gracious. If you find that people are avoiding you, then something is probably embarrassing. Sometimes because it is so hot here, foreigners dress inappropriately and look terrible, and sometimes smell bad too. Filipinos are a super clean people, and everyone here showers everyday, at least once a day. So just see how others dress for where you are going. For example, you should not look like you are going to the beach if you are going to the mall. Shorts and t-shirt are usually ok, if they are nice shorts and t-shirt, but not sloppy or dirty or skimpy. Modesty and good personal hygiene are the norm here. You should plan to be cautious… for personal safety, especially in Manila. Just be wise and be aware. Avoid crowds or events where everyone is bumping into one another and avoid dark alleys and parts of town that are full of bars, etc. – things like that. Notice if someone is following you or bumping you. Avoid the part of the country where there are terrorist kidnappers (far south). As in many places in the world these days, there are too many clever scammers and crimes, and you will stand out here as a target, so just be alert. Sorry to be negative, but if I make it all sound wonderful, you might get yourself in big trouble. You will probably be fine, I only say it because I’ve seen so many foreign visitors really put themselves in danger by being naive or ignorant of things that have happened to others or oblivious to signs of danger. Don't flash money around; avoid any situation where you could be secretly drugged or gassed for an intended robbery. In Manila, I advise to take taxis or bus lines rather than the crowded public transportation- that is, jeepneys. Before you get in a taxi, make sure it is a valid taxi and that they will use a meter – otherwise refuse. Before getting in, say where you want to go and if they start negotiating a price, just say to use the meter – or you say your destination and they nod to get in, you might confirm they are using a meter before getting in. (Airport taxis are the only exception- they are safe but have a set price.) Sorry to say this, but you can expect people to try and take advantage of you, and charge you much more for everything. So shopping at malls and supermarkets with fixed prices is easiest. Life in the Province is quite different than life in Manila. I have always lived in the Province and in places where there have been no other or very few foreigners, so I stand out, but I also have fit in. And I think I understand the culture and the people, maybe more than many other foreigners, since I have always had Filipinos living with me, first in the orphanage I directed with Filipino staff, then later in my own home. You can Google the 10 best cities to live in the Philippines. There are many other nice places too. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you want to be near a nice beach and resorts, or prefer a more rural area, or if you put more value on having good restaurants and stores nearby…. if you want to retire, or if you like night life, etc. The further away from Manila you go, you can expect less English, so keep your conversations simple. Although Cebu area has lots of English and beautiful beach areas. If you are single, you can expect many would like to marry you. But if they are poor, they will be expecting you to financially help their relatives too. Filipinos have a strong family bond and take care of each other. It is the dream of many to marry a foreigner. I advise that you don't make major decisions or investments until you have been around quite awhile. If you buy a vehicle, it’s best to buy brand new unless you personally know the seller. If you drive, you must be a defensive driver and very alert always. You will quickly observe that many don't follow the rules or don't know the rules and a motorcycle, person, or animal will dart out in front of you. Get adapted to the climate, culture, and economy. The Philippines has many good things to offer and you can live a happy life here if you find a good location and make some real friends and can fit into the community. I don't know how you can find work though unless your work is online or you are ready to retire. You can expect to find an abundance of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables year ‘round…. ones you may have never seen before. You can eat healthy. The food, including meat, is more fresh here. Also there are many fast food places. If you want to eat very thriftily, you can easily find “canteens” along the street with a line of pots containing a variety of choices… just ask what they are and if they are spicy or not before buying. The typical meal here is rice and “Ulam”. Ulam is any side dish that you eat with rice. It might be meat in a sauce or vegetables in a soup or anything. A typical ulam might be a dish with a combination of 2 or 3 vegetables and a little ground pork in a sauce…. you put some rice and Ulam on your spoon and eat it together. Fried chicken is popular here and most Americans like that. You can hire a helper to come and cook, clean, and do laundry for you at a low price…. any or all of those… everyday, or 2 or 3 times a week, whatever works for you. Or you can easily find someone on the outside just to do your laundry on a regular schedule. Most do it by hand. Clothes need washing every time they are worn because of the heat and humidity, so there is always a lot of laundry. If you hire a helper that will come into your home, finding someone who is trustworthy and honest is important, so you need to know others who recommend her. You can expect many Filipinos to be very friendly and offer to be helpful. Be wary of ones who try too hard (aggressively) or offer too much. But if you have questions about anything or need directions or advice, etc., you can approach almost anyone and ask for info and they will usually go out of their way to happily assist you. Society is very social, and word of mouth is the best way to find your way around. I stop and ask strangers questions or directions all the time. It is a way of life here. You can put my name in the Search bar to see my other posts about cultural differences of the Philippines.
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Wow! It’s really hard to make apples-to-apples comparison between these 2 countries but let me try. First of all, Philippines being a tropical country, you could expect the weather to be completely opposite from Canada. It could get pretty humid so you can expect to sweat quite a lot. Second, Pinoys are easy to get along with and they would try as much as they can to help you out but you still have to be weary of some since there will still be people who would take advantage and pull a fast one on you. These people target foreigners most especially so just be cautious. For example, most taxi cabs would attempt to dupe foreign passengers so either you are accompanied by a Filipino you can trust or download a ride-sharing app like Grab (same as Uber). Third, expect to eat a lot. The food is great here so make sure you try out Filipino cuisine as much as you can. Another thing I need to point out is that the system is broken here somewhat. This is by no means trying to scare you or anything but it would be smart to set proper expectation. Like when you go to a government office, things can be a little inefficient hence the long lines and the not so superb service. Even the traffic is mostly caused by undisciplined drivers who got their licenses without even really going through proper driving lessons. If you can be patient with all that they you’ll have a great time here. I can’t emphasize enough how friendly and hospitable Pinoys can get and all it takes is a simple kind gesture from you. Like saying hi or bringing a small gift would work wonders. Anyway, if you do get here I hope you have a great time!