There are two aspects for Filipino's temperament. One is typical tropical country's easy going character and one is high pride. Those two characters involve and make it harder for Japanese to deal with Filipino sometimes.
Filipino is easy going and cheerful. Very cheerful. In other words, generally speaking Filipino are inaccurate, loose in time, not understanding the concept of commitment or taking responsibilities.
So if you have Filipino workers or helpers, stress you out sometimes. Seem like many Filipino can't keep the promise not to be late for work, report to managers if something happen, work during working hours etc. which they are all common in Japan. To be honest, seem there is no sense of concepts those matters are important. And no doubts Japanese often get upsets. However, Filipino are very proud and hated being scolded at front of others therefore it leads to give many excuses. And those excuses are unbelievable that even small kids wouldn't give and it makes even more upsets with them. Scold at the staff in front of others, staff won't show up to work next day. Even he comes to the office but don't work 100%. And it makes us angrier. This is like "Welcome to end less world of excuses and anger" and can't seem to get out of the bad cycle.
When Japanese residents in Japan start to talk story after another, we never stop.
………………..I wonder why Filipino can't have more sense of responsibilities. When we scolded at them they show negative response blatantly. Why can't they make things more efficient? No wonder this country never develops…………
Other day I met very pleasant Japanese lady. She is more experienced in life and life in Cebu and has business and Filipino staffs.
"Indeed, it is very difficult to work here in Philippine. When I scold at my staff, I have to provide them with an escape route to give me excuse and it is hard and a lot of hassle. And staff never do understand my effort."
The comment really hits me……… I thought I understood the "culture differences" but actually I didn't even a bit understood it. Her comment knock me out and hit me to the reality.
She really understands Filipino. Might not be all but she put so much effort try to understand them. And there is love and care. If I write this way, it might sound platitude but it's true, there is love.
After all we, Japanese residents are outsider here in Philippines. This is Philippine and I am a foreigner. Filipino let me live here in their own country even I am a foreigner. It must be annoying to locals here when foreigners brings our own culture, standard of living and force them to comply with our way, level of standard, culture. All Filipino have been living in this culture since beginning. Perhaps this country has been fortunate with variety of fruits on the tree and never went hungry with fruits, when you look up on the sky, there is always a banana in this country. The easy going characters Filipino must comes from the culture of tropical country. For Filipino, Japanese must be like old woman of a nervous temperament.
This is a country of bright sunshine. Smile of Cebuano are even brighter. When we live in this country, no, when Filipino let us live in their country, we must respect the culture and shouldn't force our own way of living or culture. Of course, we can't live all in Filipino cultures but want them to understand Japanese culture, first we must respect and understand their culture. So when we have to scold at someone, we must be careful "how to". Can't just scream at them and never in front of other people. And then there is consideration and care and indeed there is love.
Sure, there is a time we can't stand anymore but even a bit we can remind ourselves to respect each others, the living in Cebu will be a bit easier to face.
