I miss polite behavior in America!
Most of my American interactions rarely have any respectful consideration for who I am. When I call my credit card company for help and I get a customer care girl named Essence, Crystal or Princess I know that I am doomed. My credit card company, US Bank, keeps making mistakes. Their customer care reps can barely help me even tho they have pretty names. And my other associates in America all seem disrespectfully depressed as well due to over-spending, inflationary pressures, political leadership greed and mismanagement. It's pretty embarrassing that America is constantly having "debt ceiling" meetings". It's no wonder that most American's are trapped in huge credit debt. Americans currently have $841 billion in credit card debt as of 2022. Such a mess and thus adds to depression and rude behavior.
Filipinos rarely have a credit card or credit card debt which is great. They live in a cash society and within their "financial means". I have found that because of this lack of credit card debt they are happier and freer. There are more smiles in the Phillipines than I have ever seen in my lifetime in America. America is constantly financially grumpy. With 32% American credit card interest rates...who wouldn't be?? American leadership is constantly and wildly overspending. What a mess.
So back to politeness.
When I moved to Cebu I was and am still greeted as "Sir Jax". My girlfriend is known as Mam Ariela. And every morning or evening I consistently hear from people " Good morning Sir/Mam and Good Evening Sir/Mam" as my girlfriend and I walk around. I mention it because it's priceless. I thought I was being respected for being a respected and honored foreigner... like I was "someone special". Well, that was my selfish ego talking. I finally realized that it wasn't about me but about Filipino standards and manners. So I finally woke up and started replying to my fellow Filipinos with respect with my own salutary return of "Thank you's and Good evenings!".
Thank you's, your welcome's, smiles, laughter, giggles, shyness, politeness, simple gossip, humble gestures, your girlfriend refusing to publicly kiss or give you public affection... are all signs of a healthy polite society. Respect is bred into Filipinos and it creates a wonderful place to live. It's my most favorite part of the Philippines.
Thank you Philippines for still having class and respect in the way that you still greet and honor fellow citizens and visitors on a daily basis!
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