Foreigners who marry into Filipino families often complain of being seen as “walking cash machines” by an ever-widening circle of relatives. However, the social minefield of how to help those in need without creating a culture of dependency is something that many successful Filipinos also have to navigate. Here, Steven de Guzmán, a computer scientist currently living in Spain, recounts his experience: I guess it’s time to share my story here so that foreigners will understand the cultural differences. I know that it is better to send out positive vibes, but it doesn’t mean avoiding talking about the negative side of our culture as if it doesn’t exist. (Dear fellow Filipinos who get triggered easily, please stop reading beyond this point…) Link below. https://philippineslifestyle.com/ca...N3drbwxbFXq2Oyx2wVgskHKh-tAGkTv_vz-_EBhQPbMX4
I have yet to know any Filipino based in the UK who has completely cut financial ties with the family back home.
Mica has always sent money home as the oldest. Its sometimes quite shocking when you see the conditions that some OFW live in as well.
One of our long time friends worked in a laundry and as a house cleaner in the UK for 25 years.. Most of her money sent back to her drug addict sister. She thought the money she was sending was building a house. 25 years later her sister died and she came to us asking for a loan so she could go back and organize the funeral. It was pitiful to be there and witness her realize that she had caused the death of her own kin. Sad.
It's a culture of dependency,"may I borrow" normally means "give me" as you haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting cash back
I have some Bombay Indian 5/6 lender business cards.. If anyone asks me for a loan I give them a card and highly recommend them.
My wife and I don't send any money to the family, yet my retired mother in law, here in London still does.
We give money each month to my wife elderly parents for medicines etc. Our policy is to help her parents as part of her family responsibility. That doesn't apply to other members of the family, unless it's a medical emergency.
