Let's play a little game. I name a specific race of people. and you imagine the face of that specific race in your mind. I say American, you'd come up with a blond, blue-eyed 6 footer, with a chiseled jawline and bone structure. When I say African-American, you'd probably come up with exactly the same thing as a white American just minus the hair, blue eyes, and well, fair complexion. You would think of Snoop Dogg basically. When I say Chinese, you'd come up with someone who has small almond eyes, of medium build, handsome, with a personality that includes being charming, smart, fun, elegant, alluring, delightful, electrifying, smart, charming, and charismatic. Oh, and that description of a China man isn't biased because the writer of this blog is Chinese (Chinese-Filipino), that right there is just a pure statement of fact. Anyway, I'm digressing. Back to the game. But when I say Filipino, you'd come up with an image of a person who'd probably look like an image of someone Malaysian, Indonesian, or even Hawaiian. This is because Filipinos are honestly hard to tell apart from their respective Southeast Asian counter-parts. However, if one take into consideration Non-Verbal coding, one will come to the conclusion that even though Filipinos may look a lot like Indonesians and the like, there are some ways to tell them apart through this theory.
Aside from that certain event back in 1986 during which Filipinos turned the universal sign for loser into one of the most recognized symbols for empowerment, there are some common ways to tell Filipinos apart and yet, at the same time sort of know how they are feeling.
1.) "The Nod"
An easy way to tell apart a Filipino is simply by going up to a Filipino who is an acquaintance of yours, but at the same time isn't really too sure if he or she knows you, and saying "Hi" as you pass by. Once that person gives a nod and flashes a friendly smile your way, you know that person is in fact a Filipino
At the same time, you will realize, through Kinesic Theory, that this Filipino does not actually know you too well. Well its that, or he just doesn't really like you.
2.) "The Purse of the Lips"
Another easy way to tell apart a Filipino is by the way he uses his lips to point at things. Whether it's asking for directions or looking for something, Filipinos almost always use this technique as a way to communicate direction. Moreover, the higher the arc of the head and the lips, the more further it is. However, do take note that sticking the tongue out and wiggling it in a gyrating manner is a completely different story.
3.) "The Box"
Having trouble spotting that Filipino friend of yours in an airport loaded with hundreds of people? Simple, look for the one pushing around a box. Filipinos coming from abroad usually are nagged about having to buy their whole family a coming home present. And since most of these presents are kitchen appliances, the most logical thing a Filipino would do is to put it in a very big box. I does make sense if you think about it. Why would you put boxes into a suitcase or duffel bag when it's just simply not ergonomic? That's right! Put that rice cooker or microwave oven (which are both cubes) into a a box (which is a bigger cube). Everything works out just fine. Why the rest of the world does not get on the bandwagon of heavy, hard to carry boxes beats me.
4.) "The making-a-square-to-ask-for-the bill Gesture"
No, that Filipino beside your table making a box in the air with his hands isn't suffering from ADHD, he is simply asking for the bill. In the Philippines, asking for the bill is as simple as using this gesture. Why bother yourself from having to say a 1 syllable word such as "Bill" or "Check" coupled with "Please" after it when you could just reach up and make a box with your hands? And with this, I seriously wonder as to why we are still a 3rd world country when we come up with things as time saving as this.
5.) Tardiness
It's 7:35. That Filipino friend of yours not at the restaurant yet when you agreed to meet up at7:30? Yeah, he's still probably taking a bath. This however, isn't disrespect towards you. This is merely the way Filipinos act when it comes to very important meetings or dinner dates. General rule of thumb when setting up a date with a Filipino? The 2 hour rule. When you want him there at 8, tell him to go there at 6.
These characteristics and habits essentially communicate one thing. Yes, Filipinos may be tardy, Filipinos may be lazy as hell, but Filipinos are proud of these things that make them uniquely Filipino. It's what separates them from other cultures. It's what makes a Filipino a Filipino. And at the end of the day, I do believe that they wouldn't have it any other way.
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