why do filipinos stare at white people in the philippines?
By jaydex22
@jaydex22 (20)
Philippines
March 20, 2010 1:16pm CST
i've noticed lately that there's a lot of foreigners in the philippines, not only in manila but in every part of the country, and its a good thing actually because that means we're going global and people from other parts of the world are discovering our place but..
why do most filipinos stare, or give second glances everytime they see americans, or anybody belonging to the caucasian race..and worst, some even shout at them "Hey Joe"
i usually notice this among most people..but i don't think they have bad intentions though or hate them, maybe they're just fascinated because somebody around looks different than everyone else?
i asked an american friend in the philippines about this, and he told me he doesn't like it..
11 responses
Maybe i should not visit the philippines. 
Then i will definately stay out of trouble. TATA.
The only thing i am worried about, is my temper. 
I know you have a very beautifull country. TATA.@maryesposito (1)
• , Florida
17 Aug 13
@saphrina
I agree, if you have a temper, I dont recommend you visit a country like the Phillippines. You can get killed or seriously hurt if you piss off the wrong person, and authority figures there are most likely not going to do anything.
@mspitot (3824)
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
i don't stare at white people here in the Philippines. i think many Filipinos are just fascinated to see foreign people in their country. some are also curious to know if they can speak our language or if they like the things in our country that is why they are like watching what foreigners do.
•
6 Mar 13
I hope to go to Davao City in roughly 2-3 months. I will be staying for
4-5 months, a hotel for the first month then i'll rent a small place.
I intend to help a Filipino friend i met online set up a business.
Any advice and feedback on how British people are seen or treated there?
(In general or work wise)
For all the research i have done i still can not work out
what to expect.
Nathan
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
Maybe because we admired them for having a fairer complexion. My sister's always mistook that she is a foreigner because she has milky milk skin ever since she's different from us. Whenever she's going in the province or any place around her other going to stare at her and have a second look on her.
@shhheila (1845)
• Philippines
24 Mar 10
it just shows filipinos being ignorant. yah i noticed the HEY JOE thing here whenever they see a foreigner especially caucasians... i cannot do anything about it, but for me i wont shout hey joe... its kinda rude especially when ur not joe heheh... but yah i agree with ur american friend... people wont like it...
@arakawaii (270)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
I myself sometimes can't avoid taking second glances but I'm still on the process on getting used to it, its actually new seeing them around such remote places in the Philippines... But I never experience that someone will shout at them...
@tigerlily1972 (502)
• Germany
20 Mar 10
My husband is a German. The last time we went to Cebu City, i noticed one or two who commented - parts, german!. And yes - they stare. The Filipinos stare not because they are back biting or the kind, but because the white skinned shines amongst brown skinned locals. It is i think, a natural reaction. When we see something sparkling or shining, it gets our attention and we look at it. That is my humble perception.
oh..and for the hey Joe thingy, if you hear soemone calling foreigners that name, tell them not all white skinned are named Joe. lol
@worldbestwriter2008 (1633)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
well it's simple my dear friend., our skin tone is moreno and morena while they are white...we have also fair complexion in here but not totally white like an american. The height is very obvious they are tall or the so called six footer and our height is just regular. To summarize this all, our culture and norms is too far different from the american.
@eLsMarie (4345)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
Your friend shouldn't come over here if he doesn't like it... LOL I think your friend doesn't like it because they tend to have a culture wherein they doesn't seem to care at all but since he's here then it's a must that he should adjust with our culture unless he'll go out hiding his white skin. People tend to have second glances because they find white people to be different. You know how media would influenced the society that being beautiful requires having white complexion and long noses right? So that's just it...
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
It's normal to make second glances to beautiful people. I guess, thats how filipinos see Caucasians, they're just a beautiful race. But i don't think they're staring at them because of their race. people stare to strangers even if they are or the're not foreigners. Even i get stared at when i'm new to certain place and i'm very much a Filipino. There are a lot of foreigners in metro manila and i admit i make second glances because they are beautiful, but i have yet to hear someone call them "hey joe", I think it's only kids who do this, particularly in the provinces.
@cowboyofhell (3063)
• Philippines
22 Mar 10
they were everywhere i think and i always notice they do not give eye contact. when i look at the foreigner i turn my eyes but not my head so as to not bother him.
@pierrella (1087)
• Philippines
21 Mar 10
Shouting "Hey Joe' is weird. I don't know why people act that way. Maybe you're right. They see someone who looks different from them and they are fascinated by it. I don't see much of this behavior in the malls of Manila though.
