As a result of various influences, Spanish, Chinese, American and Middle Eastern way of life, the typical Filipino now was not so typical before. This is a strange and cryptic statement.. but let me explain. Working and living with the marginally poor I've noticed that the sensibilities of the folks in the province are a far cry from the sense and sensibilities of the Urban poor.
Gadgets and the dream to have the latest and the greatest gadgets seem to out weigh the importance of having a decent place to live. For the Urban poor, begging is the best way to get money;tricks are part and parcel of living in the streets. I've noticed in a couple of occasions the same kids wearing shabby clothes and walking barefoot near the traffic lights .... are technologically hip.
They have cell phone, .... wow a bum with a working cell phone.They can actually send out text messages. This is amazing..... beat that ... do the paupers in your streets have a cell phone?
Another first for me ... our live-out house help brings with her a two year old daughter. I guess there are no day care centers here. Breakfast,lunch and dinner of her clan ... this includes a 10 year old son who has the appetite of a construction worker are spent in the house. So in each of our meals we have an additional 3 mouths to feed. Even if it's past lunch time, i'd ask her have you had lunch? And the answer is always .. no ... and they'd dig in. So as not to embarrass, I 'd usually just invite them to eat any way.
I guess it's a Pinoy thing... you have to feed your workers.I am sure, is it the same way with you ? Would you do the same or .... have I been raised in a quirky way .. so as to come out as "masakitoon". Roughly translated ...it means being cruel person.
---- note to self------
To have happy workers, make sure you include the cost of meals in the compensation packages for your Filipino workers. This is not just for the working class .. it's for all the flips out there who punches in their card and works hard for their money.
Added bonus... please serve more fresh vegetables and fruits. This will ensure that you lower absenteeism our health related performance issues.
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