Graham Colin-Jones - Philippines--Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Philippines, a scattered archipelago of seven thousand islands, appears to be one of the most Westernized countries in Asia. However, the realities of Filipino life are complex, and not immediately evident to the foreign visitor. Many Filipinos work abroad, far from home and their families, and this is of great significance, not only for the families themselves, but countrywide and internationally. Business is not carried out in quite the same way as in the West. There are social situations and ways of behaving that visitors might well misunderstand.

The Philippines has a unique colonial history, which has been described by its inhabitants as three centuries in the Convent and fifty years in Hollywoodit was governed by Spain for over three hundred years and by the United States for fifty. As a result, certain Western beliefs are well entrenched and prevalent. Nearly all Filipinos are Roman Catholics, the government is democratically elected, and freedom of speech and education are highly valued.

Underneath the Western veneer, however, lies an Asian soul. Filipinos share many values and attitudes with other Asian people, although the distinctive blend of East and West is subtle, and can sometimes be difficult to fathom. The foreigner who fails to realize that the faade of the English language (in which most signs in Manila are written), fast food, pop music, and rich lawyers does not run deep will soon commit a faux pas that may have long-lasting effects.

Side by side with great wealth, much of the country lives in extreme poverty. Culture Smart! Philippines looks at the social, economic, and political problems that have brought this about. Despite their material disadvantages, the Filipino people show an amazing resilience. They are warm, charming, and welcoming. Beyond the chaotic traffic jams and heat of Manila there is so much to enjoy and appreciate in the Philippines that the open-minded visitor will be vastly enriched by the experience.

Culture Smart! Philippines also includes among its pages case studies, true stories, and advice on what to expect and how to behave in many different situations. First-time visitors and long-term foreign workers will find an abundance of practical information and key insights into Filipino society and business life that will enable them to make the very most of their time in this unique and intriguing country.