Saturday, May 17, 2008

Cultural Exchange

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. – old adage.

My friends back home jokingly say “Arabo ka na nga”. Contemplating on what they said, I’ve to admit there’s a grain of truth in it. In almost two decades of working here, I can’t help but absorb some of the customs of my host country. I hardly noticed it since it seems ordinary and natural when I’m here, but it’s evident when I’m in the Philippines.

For instance, I pat my back pocket to check for my Iqama (residence permit) every time we go out. I’m in a hurry to finish any transaction before sunset. I lower my eyes when a lady gazed in my direction. I say “shukaran” (thank you) instead of salamat. And I use a hand gesture, which could be interpreted differently or perhaps rudely, back home. Weird? Maybe, especially the first three peculiarities, but not to someone who had a stint in the Middle East.

When two cultures meet, it’s a give and take situation. Filipino cooks, domestic helpers and nannies can influence an employer’s household. I once saw a local boy buying “patis” and I know of an Arab doctor who likes adobong manok and kare-kare. There’s a commercial district here that is “tambayan” of Filipinos. Most of the store owners knew a thing or two of tagalog if not speak the language fluently. They are even familiar of our regional stereotyping, like if you haggle too much, they’ll say “Siguro, Ilokano ka”.

We might not be aware of it, but we gave a part of ourselves. They might not notice it, but that’s our legacy to them. In a small but meaningful way we have “Filipinized” the Middle East.

9 comments:

  1. Blogusvox,when they start eating balut then that is something.hehehe,

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  2. ed v., balut? kumakain nga sila nang utak nang tupa, balut pa kaya... he he he.

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  3. Ayos ...he he he. You know my wife loves filipino food,she can eat,tinapa,kare kare,pinapaitan,tuyo and her favorite pinakbet.Many foreigners doesnt like to eat Fil. food because of the way it is presented compare to say Japanese or french food,for them our food looks yucky but actually ours are made to fill the stomach not the eyes,so if we can only find a way to make our food appealing to the eyes as well as to fill tummies then expect Filipino restaurant to sprout everywhere around the globe.

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  4. Hindi naman sa nagmamayabang, pero malupit akong magluto nang pinakbet. Half-cook at malutong, yan ang gusto ko. Simot palagi kong meron kaming potlock.

    BTW, do you have a blog? Gusto rin kitang bisitahin.

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  5. First time to comment here. It is indeed inevitable that after years of Filipino presence in their countries that some of these Arabs would pick up some of our language, our food, and other bits and pieces of our culture. Such are the results of continued human interaction.

    It is a very positive thing because it enhances understanding between two totally different cultures and hopefully lead to reduced stereotyping on the part of both parties.

    You have a great blog here. I apologize for taking a while to pay your blog a visit. But thank you too for visiting my site. :)

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  6. panaderos, welcome and thank you for visiting.

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  7. blogusvox,wala akong blog mahirap mag maintain,tambay na lang muna ako sa blog mo ...heh he he...

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  8. blogusvox,hi.first time ko sa blog mo.nice posts.katuwa observations mo ng cultural exchange.kwento kita sa hub ko na nasa riyadh ngayon.pa-tambay na po dito ha? :)

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  9. wildflower, oo naman, dalaw ka uli. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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