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Relocation Cultural insight to the Philippines
- Haggling in a Hot Place
When I first arrived in China, I did not negotiate at all; I was American and wasn't comfortable with the concept. Then, as time went on, I became very comfortable and I couldn't buy an orange without needing at least 50% off. Then, I moved to the Philippines... Read more - Tend and Befriend!
Tend and Befriend is an alternative theory to the, often male associated, Fight or Flight. Read more - I Don't Get It and I Want to Go Home!
Culture has often been compared with an iceberg, 15% of which is visible, with the majority lying concealed below the surface. Obvious manifestations of the culture are the clothes people wear, the language that they speak, and the food that they eat. Read more - What Did He Say? What Does He Mean?
The Philippines, despite having very western influences at various times during its history, still maintains an eastern aversion to conflict. As such, the language is more contextualized, which can be a bit tricky for western expats who are not as attuned to recognize non-verbal cues. Read more - Family
Family can be considered one of the most significant cultural attributes in the Philippines. More so than religious or governmental policy, the family unit seems to dictate responsible behavior, support the population of unemployed , and enable things to get done that normally would be impossible or take too long. Read more
