My Rant Against Most Pinoys in London

I'm not the type to generalise people, but what is happening to my kababayans?

I went to Earls Court for the first time to buy Pinoy products and eat sisig because I miss it very much.
I went with a friend and we ate at this restaurant. Anyway the Pinoy store was just in front of it. It was already quarter to 8 and heard the store closes at 8 so I hurried.

I went to the store and bought heaps of pancit canton, Korean ramen, Pinoy desserts such as leche flan, puto, kutsinta, etc. Also Rebisco cookies, Kopiko, Ligo sardines, Century tuna and other things I can't remember. I'm getting homesick. Yes.
Anyway, there was then a long queue. So I waited and saw these two Pinays with lots of goods with them. They were chatting and comparing each other's things.

Mare #1: Oh mare, dami mo pinamili. Magluluto sa Christmas? (Oh sister, you bough lots of things. Are you cooking for Christmas?)
Mare#2: Konti lang ito mare. Para lang bukas. Mamimili pa rin ako bukas. (It's just a few things sis. It's only for tomorrow.)
Mare#1: Ah, may dala ka bang cash? Baka kulangin ka. (Oh have you brought enough cash? You might not have enough.)
Mare#2: Meron naman ako dalang card. (It's alright I have my bank card).
So yes it was a very long queue, hence why I remember their conversations very well. Hahaha...

Anyway, Mare #2 goods came to about 30 quid. I notice she had string beans and bitter melon (ampalaya) so I asked her if she was cooking pinakbet. Friendly chatter to a fellow Pinoy. She just stared at me.
Mare#1 then spoke up and said, '30 mare ah. Pero ayos lang yan. Isang oras lang bawi mo na.' Mare #2 smiled.
Then Mare#1 had lots of baby shirts with her. I then said that it was quite nice that the shop sells baby clothes as well. She just said, 'Oo (Yes...).'
I was being friendly since, first it's 23rd and almost Christmas. Pinoys love Christmas. Second, it's a Pinoy store. Supposed to be a community/meeting place for Pinoys.
But no, lesson learned: Mind your own business with Pinoys and don't be too friendly.
Then it was my turn. I placed my things on the counter for check out. Both mares then remarked.
'Mag-isa ka lang no? Yan na pamasko mo?' (You're single aren't you? That's for your Christmas?)
Hahaha... isn't it just possible that I miss the foods I used to eat back in the Philippines? Especially pancit canton because it was our go-to food when we didn't have money back then. I was taking a trip to memory lane.
So, I just smiled and took out 50 quid.

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Then back in the restaurant. Me and my friend who is also Pinoy were just chilling: eating sisig, pancit, laing, etc. and drinking SMB. Because that's what Pinoys do.
Anyway, out of nowhere, another Pinoy came to us and asked us for a donation to this charity thingy which looked very dubious. He mentioned something about feeding children/homeless or something for Christmas eve. The printouts looks suspicious.
I told him it's not right to just barge in when people are eating inside the restaurant. At least wait outside or something. I've done charity sales/work before and even I didn't do that.

He just kept on apologising and calling me boss/manager, because hey I think I look like one.



Ka-ching. Hahahaha... (And yes I forgot it was dress down Friday at work and it was half-day as well.)

Anyway we gave him a few pence just to bugger off.
Up the stairs in the restaurant, there was then a group of Pinoys who were being boorish, yelling and shouting like they owned the place. It's a restaurant and not a pub/bar. They were also disrupting the other diners.

My point is, where are the manners? Just because we are finally here in a first-world country, is it okay to be arrogant? Boisterous?

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Oh and why is it in the Philippine Embassy as well, people treat you different depending whether you have a British passport or not?

Really... Crab mentality at its finest.

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To all my fellow Pinoys here, don't change. Remember where we came from. If you do change, change for the better.

No matter how much I earn, how much I reach, and will reach further, I will never forget the days...

When I didn't have food in the table...
When we didn't have electricity and water...
When we were sent out packing lots of times by landlords when we couldn't afford rent...

Stay level-headed.

You are not alone. I have experienced or observed it a few times. Dont worry i think deep down, they are over compensating on some stuff (or covering up some of their insecurities).

The most annoying part is the gossiping about your salary- you (or at least i) dont choose your friends based on their salary.
Enjoy the holidays

So it was not just my own observance. Yeah, I guess its over-compensating for something.
I don't really choose friends. It just happens. I have friends in both high and low places. Both the respected and the dodgy. I follow the Desiderata.

Also, why is it that when you are overseas, Pinoys will promise you the world: bring you to dinner, show you around, act as host, etc? Then when you're finally here, then woot, no one will answer their damn phone anymore. Hahahah...

Yeah enjoying the holidays at the moment. I don't have to sleep early and I don't have to wake up early.

I'm already enjoying it. hahahaha...

And SMB always brings you memories of home. TAGAY!!

I've heard things like that about Filipinos in the UK. It's a shame really, we could all just get along and put the insecurities aside. When I was in the UK it always excites me seeing a Filipino in a shop or in along the street but always too shy to approach them, thinking about rejection. I'd rather approach a British bloke and expect a very friendly response from them..

Nevertheless, I know not all Filipino in the UK are arrogant and like that.. So I'm still hoping I would meet nice Filipino friends over there just to ease home sickness.. I'm counting on @tipipay @Chicksisweetie @katkatmachine so I hope to make a few more friends here

Anyway I was quite moved with your story @knightstrike . Such an inspiration. I know what you've been through and I hope to help my family once I'm settled in the UK..

Stay humble..

About 10 years ago we were in the embassy in London to pick up my passport and 13a visa..
We just sat there silently and excitedly awaiting my visa and pondering the start of our new life in the R.P..

The place as usual was just like any other Filipino wet market and I knew it was just a matter of time before my wife`s interrogation would begin..Sure enough this middle aged Filipina changed her seat to sit next to the Mrs... Yap yap yap in Tagalog as the Mrs gave her a brief explanation about why we were there etc.. (tsismis for about 20 mins as if I was not there)
Then as were about to leave the woman started pleading with the Mrs..."Dont go back yet"..."You are too young and strong to work"...."How will you continue support your family there?"...
"You are so young to not earn POUNDS...Imagine!!
"Sayang pera....Stay here in Britain nalang!!..."No jobs there in the Pilipins"

Secretly,I thought to myself..."That`s why we are going,you silly old cow"!!
You got to love em though....Never a dull minute.

Tagay indeed... I`m sipping on one right now whilst her clan are busy cooking daing and Gabi leaves..
Well.. It is Christmas after all!!

I've heard similar stories. I once talked to a Filipina who's residing in the UK, she told me to be careful whom I trust -- especially Filipinas. I'm not insinuating anything, that was her experience.
Oh well, I know that not all people are like that and I usually give a person the benefit of the doubt. Give chance.
Unfortunately, this is how society turned into.

Thanks for sharing your story.
Happy holidays!
You can always use the internet to watch pinoy shows. At least, you will feel at home -- just a bit colder.

You can count on me.
We will all change... but change for the better.

Interesting to read views on other Filipinos "feelings of grandeur" when in the UK, best to have your feet firmly on the ground

Filipinos outside London are generally are friendlier, especially those in the small towns.

One of the things I realised throughout out my travel is that we Filipinos are like sponges. We take in whatever liquid we are placed into.
You'll be fine. You have a partner with you to guide you on as you go along.

You won't be taking my path, wherein I have to learn everything here all by myself.
And it will be good if you can find friends as well.

Wow, you're a king mate.
Letting them slave over while you drink your beer.
I know now why you left the UK. Hahahahah....

Your majesty, King Boots, the daing and gabi leaves is now done. If you would like to seat and have your supper now, sir.

It was just yesterday that I was feeling homesick. Reason is it's Christmas and first time I'm not back in the Phils.
Plus I was drunk. Started drinking back in the office. Hahahaha...

Manager wouldn't let me leave until I had five. Said something about team-building.

And then during the evening, had another four. So yeah, I'm becoming a drunkard basically - or becoming British finally. Hahahahah...
My mum back home is taking pictures of the family feast: leche flan, pancit palabok, lechon paksiw, etcetera...

I'll be having British christmas dinner later with some mates but I'll just imagine I'm having Pinoy feast instead. Same thing.

Fills the tummy. Hahahaha...

My wife has noticed similar attitudes by some Filipinos here in Malta. Some seem to engage in a spot of 'one upmanship' by exaggerating their circumstances in attempt to appear to be "better than thou". We ignore such players.

knightstrike:

You've seen how the British behave when abroad, right ?

Yeah, definitely.
Makes me smile too when I see the British blokes in the Philippines hit it up with the girls and flashing them a hundred quid.

And then telling them that they're some big-shot over here. Hahaha...

But we lie sometimes during our holidays. How else can we snag that hot broad there sitting at the far end of the table?

It's when we are NOT on holidays that makes it different. And when there's no reason at all except for self-gratification.

I think you will find that well off people in the UK do not flash cash or talk about it, they don't have to as they have no insecurities over it.

In every race, in every creed, in every religion and every community there is good there is bad and there is in difference the skill is being comfortable with your contribution to mankind.

I'm more comfortable with my contribution to womankind... but each to their own.

Haha

*Drops mic*

Mate, your post should win the Nobel Prize for One of the Best Comments Ever.

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So basically you are complaining that Filipinos in London think they are better than others and then doing exactly the same thing yourself.