6 Basic characteristics of Filipino culture

Each country and each region in the world has their own unique customs and practices, distinct cultural identities, and diverse traditions. In general, any culture there will be hidden beauty of the place that characterizes the lifestyle and people there. And the Philippines is no exception. 

1.The great cultural influence from Spanish, American, and Chinese

Coming to the Philippines, visitors must be interested in the clever reconciliation between the      local culture and the Spanish and American culture. It was the result of a long process of being colonized by the two great powers.

Filipinos are crazy about festivals. The Philippines is a Catholic country. Hence most of the festivals taking place here are mostly associated with Christianity with the most respectful and sincere attitude.

In addition to the significant impact from the land of gaur, the Filipino cuisine is deeply influenced by Chinese culture and in daily life, indigenous peoples almost recreate American style on land. It is not uncommon for you to meet a local Filipinos who communicate fluently in English, fast food, crazy music and American movies …

     2.Filipino traditional costume

Summer outfits are popular in this country. Men will wear a shirt (vats can be tied without a coat). Barong Tagalog’s Spanish-origin Filipino traditional costume, embroidered shirts with high necks and long sleeveless shirts, mostly white and gray, flanked by long slits from the hip down to the thigh. Women also wear a Barong Tagalog shirt. It looks like a mid century dress. The sleeve looks like a butterfly and comes with a long skirt.

      3.Take respect seriously

For Filipinos, they often value their personal image in front of their close friends as well as those around them. That’s why Filipinos are often afraid of being publicly shamed. 

When traveling to the Philippines, you should not stare at others because it is a form of provocation and arrogance. So pay attention to each of your gestures to avoid misunderstanding or you will be sorry.

       4.Welcoming culture

Cultural characteristics of the Philippines are clearly shown in the way people greet each others here. When greeting a young person, placing the back of an older man’s hand on his forehead, even raising an eyebrow is a way of greeting here.

When young people greet older people, they have to bend down, hold the elderly’s right hand with their right hand and raise their hands up high

      5.Talking style

Philippines is a multi-racial country. Therefore, social class, origin, age, gender … are the conditions that determine the level of intimacy, voice, gestures when communicating.

Typically, Filipinos always try to avoid hurting others, so there is very little “no” answer to other suggestions or questions. Instead, they often say “maybe …”, “maybe …”, ‘let me see … “,” I’ll try … “. When speaking, Filipinos always try to express their views and opinions in the most diplomatic way possible.

When introducing or greeting someone, whether male or female, Filipinos have the habit of shaking hands. However, other intimate contact gestures between the sexes are not supported in this conservative Catholic country.

Eye contact is an important “channel” of communication, especially in serious conversations. It is a good sign of the confidence being displayed, However, when a person refuses or is hesitant to perform this gesture, he or she could be simply shy, 

Based on my travel experience in the Philippines, people prefer non-verbal communication. For example, to show agreement or greet a friend, they raise their eyebrows. And you will be considered impolite if passing by in front of others or interrupting between people who are talking to each other. If you’re forced to do so, in the style of a polite Filipino, you have to extend one or both of your arms out with your hands clenched and pointing down. This is a cultural feature in the Philippines that every individual traveling or working here should pay attention to.

    6.Eating habits

There are also many interesting things about Filipinos’ eating and drinking habits. Lunch or dinner appointments for business purposes will be arranged by phone, and will be reconfirmed by the clerk. Usually, the person who invites will be the one who pays for that meal. Invited guests normally will not order the most expensive items on the menu unless certain requests were made. Drinking something before sitting at the table is another eating practice of Filipinos. Meals will take place in a relaxed, fun and limited manner to the maximum of etiquette. Only after establishing a happy atmosphere, usually after a soup or appetizer, was the business being discussed.

Above are the typical cultural features of the coastal city in the Philippines that you should learn before coming to the beautiful Philippines. Traveling to the Philippines, tourists not only explore the tourist destinations in the Philippines, but also learn about the unique traditional culture here. So what are you waiting for, please explore for yourself the unique cultural features of the Philippines when traveling to the Philippines, you will definitely not regret your decision.