Diigital Nomad - Episode 5 - More Quirky Habits

I have been here in “sunny” Sabang province for four months now. Actually, the months of July August September and October are traditionally the rainy season in the Philippines – the complete opposite of the European summer. We did have quite a lot of rain – the “monsoon” season – and a few super typhoons threatened, but never actually made it to shore: most of them stayed to the West, and ended up hitting Taiwan and China. But it was very humid – A/C required, and electricity is  expensive here.
Because I have not been sight-seeing as such, and have been focussing on computer work with business projects and “getting to know” AI, I thought I would pass on some insights into the Philippines (PH) culture and language . 

Food is very important to most Filipinos, and rice is a staple: quite often, rice is served (with some other food) for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 7 a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m. In between there are “snacks”! Meals like lunch and dinner do not consist of  one main course – like English pork chops and mash potato and vegetable – but have a variety of different meats (and  even fish) that is eaten at the same time. Some dishes even have 2 or 3 different meats mixed together (pork chicken and beef for example) AND rice AND pancit – the traditional Filipino noodle. 
Knives do not exist in the cutlery tray (much to my frustration) – only one sharp kitchen knife for cutting meat and preparing vegetabes and fruit. Standard eating utensils are spoons and forks – and fingers!  I have to say that my inceasing weight is a cause for some concern!!

And here are some Filipino language peculiarities: In Philippine English, you don’t just speak the language—you ‘open’ the lights, ‘close’ the aircon, and put everything in ‘bottomless’ refill!”
“CR” = (Comfort Room) Standard English: Bathroom, restroom, or washroom.
Usage: Filipinos almost exclusively use “CR” when asking where to wash up or use the toilet (“Where is the CR?”).
“Open/Close the light (or aircon)” Standard English: Turn on / turn off the light (or air conditioner). Origin: Direct translation from Tagalog (buksan = open/turn on; patayin/isara = close/turn off).
“Bottomless” Standard English: Free refills / unlimited refills.
Usage: Restaurants frequently advertise “Bottomless Iced Tea.”
“Take home” Standard English: To-go or takeaway food.
Usage: Instead of asking for a “to-go box,” a Filipino might ask, “Can I have this for take-home?”
“Commute” Philippine English Meaning: To take public transportation (buses, jeepneys, trains). Standard English: The journey to work/school itself (regardless of whether you drive or take public transit). In the Philippines, if you drive, you don’t say you “commuted.”
“For a while” Standard English: “Just a moment” or “Hold on please.”
Usage: Commonly used by customer service agents or when answering the phone (“For a while, sir, I’ll check that for you”)
Onwards and upwards!