|
A migrant’s inner thoughts
Here are some of the personal things I observed as a migrant in the US:
- Americans tend to wait for you while opening the door when you enter or exit. Salamat!
- Americans tend to be apologetic when they see that they block your way or get in your way. Excuse me …
- Most entrance and exit doors are quite heavy to push or pull. Sa sobrang bigat akala mo di gumagana …
- If you live in the east coast, it is a must that you know how to drive; except if you live within Washington, DC, New York City and New Jersey, where public transportation is easily accessible. But the rides are scheduled here and there are specified stop areas. Hindi puede dito ang basta-basta na lang sumakay at bumaba kung saan mo gusto …
-
Americans are opinionated and would fight for their rights. Yes everyone wants to be right …
- Americans also love to shop and shop and shop. That’s the reason why there are store outlets, whoa!
- Home depot, Lowe’s and Ikea stores encourage you to do certain stuff without any professional help. Sa mahal ng singil, ikaw na nga lang ang gagawa …
- Store owners or clerks don’t mind displaying their items all at once. It seems that they trust people for not getting it unless they bought the item. Akala mo lang pero kasi may surveillance camera at huli ka!
- Philippine English pronunciation is very different from American English. Ganun din naman sila kung mag-Tagalog …
- Americans tend to talk fast. Some even sound as if they are swallowing words. Ano daw?
- New acquaintances are easy to find but creating deeper relationships are rare to develop. Mini-my-nemo, sino sa inyo …
- People are always busy. You have to set an appointment as to when to visit your friend, your beauty salon, your doctor, etc. Maswerte ka kung papayag sila ng walk-in ibig sabihin walang appointment …
- Filipinos are very much adept in sending text messages. Americans are still learning their way. Some don’t even care at all as long as they can make calls. Mas mura kasi ang text sa atin hehehe …
- Most Americans tend to complain a lot. They just don’t know how blessed they are. Kung alam lang nila ang buhay …
- Most Americans tend to be picky. They just don’t know how to be content. Bakit nga ba?
- Fil-Ams tend to be more concerned of their looks, their big houses and how much they earn. Siguro kasi …
- Some Filipinos here tend to be aloof in public places. Hmm, baka shy-type …
- Spend time with the elderly people and learn a lot from their struggles as migrants. Sina lolo at lola ay naging granpa and granma na …
- It is better to know the weather everyday so you will know what and not to wear. Maging laging handa sa araw-araw na panahon …
- Americans tend to be courteous by asking “How are you?” but most often won’t bother to know your reply. Baket kaya?
- Stray pets, like dogs and cats, are seldom seen loitering. Bawal ang istambay …
- Americans are pet lovers. They spend a lot for grooming, food, toys, and even have a store as big as SM exclusively for pets! Mabuti pa ang hayop dito alagang-alaga …
- You’ll get confused with their dimes, nickels and pennies. I even mistook our bronze-colored 5 centavo coin as one of the US coins!
- Every state has its own law. Be aware. Mag-basa para di mukhang walang alam …
- Certification is a must in any work field. Kung wala kang pruweba na alam mo ang gagawin mo mahirap ka makahanap ng trabaho …
- American companies say they are Equal Opportunity Employers but the truth is, there are still who are practicing discrimination. Kahit saan ata …
- No matter how much you try to change your looks, Filipinos are still considered as second-class citizens. Hmmm …
- There are many opportunities. Just know where you fit. Oo Inday kumayod ka lang …
- Airport terminals are like a maze. Naku ang lawak kamo…
- If you are a teacher in the Philippines, you will appreciate more your students back home. Walang kapantay …
- Nepotism and suckers are also common. Uso rin pala dito ang sip-sip. Straw please …
- There are still rude drivers in the US. They cut lanes, blow their horns and even throw things at you. Grabe!
- Interstate highways are extremely large. Take note of the speed limit as well. Maging listo lagi …
- You will experience a long queue of cars on the road at the scene of an accident. Tawag nila rubbernecks, ang tawag sa atin mga Uzi – usisero!
- Learn to read maps. It’s the road to success! Kahit may GPS na alamin kung gaano kalayo …
- No gigantic billboards along the highways to distract your attention. Well, there are exceptions like New York City, Los Angeles, among other major cities. Patingin nga …
- American houses mostly look-alike. A little boring from the outside but wait until you look inside! Tada …
- Nature preservation is a must here. Lahat ng may buhay, may halaga pero ewan ko bakit puedeng magpalaglag …
- If you live in the East coast, you will have to organize your things depending on what season (Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer). Tatlong buwan ang pagitan …
- During winter, you will feel like a penguin walking on ice with the kind of winter clothes you have on. Be careful with those frozen slate --- oops!
- Filipinos will learn how to rake leaves and shovel the snow without further training needed. Basta lang ba makaraos … tapos!
- Salt isn’t only used in cookbooks. They are also used in snow-filled roads. Pabili nga ng isang sakong asin …
- There are no by-standers here. Because of the cold climate, people prefer to stay at home. Aba eh ewan ko na lang kung di ka mangatog sa lamig!
- There are still Americans who are home buddies. Aaawww …
- There are still Americans whose priority is their family. Two-thumbs up …
- If you’re born here, most likely you won’t learn any Filipino language unless you grew up with your grandparents around. Sige kwentuhan sina lolo at lola …
- Be proud when you see any items made from the Philippines. Tatak Pinoy!
- Learn to adapt to change without losing your identity. Mahirap gawin kung wala kang alam …
- Be ready to take candid shots. You will see wonders, big or small. Ilabas ang didjaykam …
- Don’t convert US dollars to its peso equivalent. You will just be disappointed. Oo nga naman …
- Fil-Am kids don’t know what the word “scratch paper” means. Akala nila yun yung papel de liha (sandpaper)…
- Look stylish but feel uncomfortable or look funny yet feel comfortable. Alin ka dun?
- Time flies so fast. I awoke with the sun shining then after a few hours, it’s already dark! Di mo nga mamamalayan …
- If you don’t stop eating, expect to gain weight faster than usual. Aray ko po …
- If you have a Maria followed by your second name in your legal name, expect to be called Maria most often. Sinabi mo …
- Americans don’t know that we are more known by our second name instead of the name Maria. Korek …
- Americans don’t know that our middle name is our mother’s maiden name. Hindi nila kasi gawain …
- Americans thought our second name is our middle name. Nalilito sila sa kahabaan …
- It is difficult to trace genealogy based on mother’s name because Americans don’t include their mother’s maiden name in writing their legal names. Baket nga kaya …
- Aside from household chores, you have to do everything by yourself. No guards to open the doors; no gas boys to fill-up your tank or to fill air in your tires except in certain states like New Jersey; no baggers to bring your grocery items except in commissary, etc. Unless of course, you are rich and can afford to pay people to work for you, you have to be satisfied with what you can do. Kaya laging plakda sa pagod …
- Americans are learning what Filipino time is. Kahit di ko na ipaliwanag alam na ng lahat ang ibig sabihin nito …
- Why is there such a thing as Filipino crab-mentality? Haayy …
- Meals are served in large proportions. Magdala ka na lang ng doggie bag …
- You will miss sayote, kangkong, manggang hilaw, kare-kare at pinakbet! Hanap ka ng Pinoy restaurant!
- Say fridge not ref for refrigerator; say purse not bag in reference to a shoulder bag or handbag; say turn off the lights not kill the light when you mean lights off; say scoot over not move over in telling the person to … scoot over!
- How you will survive living in America will very much depend on your credit score or history. Yan ang buhay-Amerika, puro utang …
|
