Filipinos, what is it like living in the UK? Any tips or practical advice?

Yes but all good and all worth it and I will just 3 months to go now can't wait

@Numpters

Australia is like the younger brother of the UK, except more hip, more laid-back/casual, and poorer.

Just tell him Australia is what the UK would have been like if the weather was warmer, more liberal and also if you take out the royal family.

- Also chavs = bogans

- Replace Indians and Blacks with Turkish and Lebanese.

- More Pinoys and friendlier too.

- Marmite = vegemite.

- Football = rugby

- Pub in the city = pub/resto near the beach

Fast-food in Australia is actually a lot healthier too! They put avocados and veggies with the burgers.

Australians like to use slangs and shorten words

Arvo = Afternoon
Maccas = McDonalds
Barbie = Barbeque
Bottlo/Bottle - O - liquor shop
Servo - Gas/Petrol Station

They also use the words reckon, far out, bloody hell, piss off,

If the British in general are reserved people, the Australians are what the British would have been like unleashed.

What I do in Nandos is buy one soft drink to share, and just keep refilling. No member staff of staff has complained yet!!

Because they too have probably done it one way or another.

This "interview" attitude is something I don't like. When I picked up my boyfriend from the airport, I chatted up other Filipinos, and they asked me the most ridiculous questions when I told them I'm waiting for my boyfriend. "How long have you been together?" "Where did you meet? On Facebook?" "What does he do for a living?" "Is he rich?" "Does he have a lot of luggage?" "Did he bring you lots of chocolates?"

Seriously, people here don't have a sense of privacy and as a private person, I am dismayed. And it's worse when they ask in a condescending way, as if trying to find a way to let you know they're better than you, or you're not any better. It's plain insecurity and it put me off so much. I am usually friendly and chatty around strangers but never again will I do that.

Because of your post, I will be more wary of interacting with Filipinos in London.

Happy days waiting for the ice cream van to come round

If you pass by the city (near Monument, Fenchurch or London Bridge) on a weekday night, about 8pm onwards and you see a Pinoy with brushed up hair, and in a suit, with an overcoat and black gloves, walking, give a shoutout.

Or if you catch the District Line on a Friday night and you see a Pinoy in a suit with big plastic bag full of Lucky Me Pancit Cantons or Spicy Korean noodles, give him a shout out too.

Chances are it might be me. Hahahah...

Be wary but always remember, there will always be an exception. Don't automatically assume every Pinoy will be like that but keep it at the back of your head.

You'll really know what a person is like once they have tasted some sort of success. If they are still the same: humble, kind and respectful, then they're really that.

My wife has mentioned before similar things, people trying to work out who found the richer husband!

We've never really worried about it, after meeting someone you can choose what information to divulge and choose if you'd see them again.

I know she's been asked in the past to take things to the Philippines for others (not close friends), due to the Filipino connection. I leave these choices to her, but advise that a lot of the time, people are trying to get freebies. She's smart enough to know who she can trust. I'm sure you are too.

It will be a learning curve.

Sometimes people assume we have lots of money because we live in an expensive area and fly certain airlines. We won't comment on our finances, just explain that earnings do not necessarily reflect wealth as everyone has different circumstances.

Just take time and choose your friends carefully and you'll be fine

Nice to see someone else from London here!

Lol! I'll go looking for you if I remember! Speaking of Lucky Me Pancit Canton, didn't they change the noodles recently? I was a fan of it growing up, and then they changed it. It's just never the same. I still love Yakisoba Spicy Chicken, though!

How's it going mate? Yeah, good to see a Londoner here as well.

But I'd rather be in Newcastle to tell you the truth. Hahahah...

Thanks for the advice. Will keep it in mind!

I haven't seen any Nissin Yakisobas here. I've been to six Pinoy stores already.

Yeah, they've changed the noodles but the ones that they sell here are the old versions (smaller packs).

One Pancit Canton costs 30 pence (18 - 19 pesos). Mahal! Double the prize kesa sa atin. Hahahaha...

We are both good thanks!

I've not made it up to Newcastle yet, but it's on my list! A few geordie mates told me big market is a good evening out!

BEST EVENING NIGHT OUT!!!

Wear anything you want. No one will bat an eye (as long it's not too indecent). Just don't wear the Sunderland colours. (Red and white stripes plus black).

People are a lot friendlier and they sometimes approach you just because they're curious.

The girls approach me in Newcastle instead. Hahahaha...

I wouldn't dream of wearing Sunderland colours up there!

I'm a football man.

K and I were driving back home from the yacht club when she suddenly cried "Stop! Pull over!"

She had spotted a village football game. She gave a running commentary on every move, for the rest of the match.

She used to support her brother's side in Mindanao.

She knows far more about soccer than my sons and I do. We are a rugby playing and rugby watching family.

Have you taken her to a village cricket match yet Andrew?

Not yet. She can take me to Ipswich Town FC first

i took my wife to watch my ( 40 year old ) son playing rugby the other week. she loved it. i hate it.