Four things I learned in the U.S.
I was blessed to have the chance to be in the United States. Initially, I only wanted to visit it to see the places, to feel the cold weather, to temporarily experience what life is like in the place that many Filipinos dream to live in.
I planned to stay for only a month. But because of certain twists of fate and faith, I decided to give up my life in the Philippines. It was not an easy decision to make but in my short stay, I learned a few essential things that made me a better person.
Lesson # 1: I learned the real definition of Industrious
Filipinos are known to be a hard-working group of people and I am proud of that. But in the Philippines, being a diligent worker is voluntary. We work hard because we want to, not because we have to.
Our common definition of hard work is giving our best in our jobs and careers in order to provide for our families. But, do we include the work we do at home as a home maker and a wife? Or is it negligible because we can hire helpers anyway?
Here in the US, hard work is real!
Unlike in the Philippines, people work here because they do NOT have a choice. And the meaning of hard work is not just confined in the intensity of effort they exert in their jobs. It extends to their household tasks which include cooking for the family, taking care of the kids, doing the laundry, cleaning the house. Hard work in this country means sacrificing time, sleep and leisure.
Although it seems easier to be hard working in the Philippines, I consider the difference that hard work here in the US has developed in me more significant. It is a form of diligence that is character changing.
Lesson # 2: I learned the Importance of Humility
When I decided to give up my life in the Philippines, I was prepared for life to be different. Despite of this, it still came as a shock to me that I have become a very small fish in an extremely wide ocean.
Everything was so unfamiliar that I had to start from scratch. I almost graduated cum laude in Psychology at Ateneo de Manila but my credentials did not matter! My work experience was of no use and my achievements were not recognized. I am on a clean slate all over again.
Of course it was not easy to adjust to all the changes. But it was the life I chose to live and I only had two choices to make. I can humble myself, swallow my pride and accept the fact that I have to start a new beginning or I can live in self-pity and dwell in the past. Good thing, I made the first option and I learned to move on.
The light in the situation right now is, that I have nothing to prove. People here do not expect anything of me. They do not care what I used to have or what I used to be. I can take advantage of this and work my way up to success quietly and humbly.
Lesson # 3: I experienced SINCERITY in its truest sense
I do not want to mock the sincerity of Filipinos. I know a lot of Filipinos who are truly sincere. But, sincerity in the Philippines is a virtue that can be questionable at times.
Back there, we live in a world where we need to give “suhol,” or “lagay” just so we can get things done and let other people help us. We get discounts on sale items but they are rarely in good condition because they are either too old or are almost expired. We hear a lot of well-known personalities on television saying one thing and doing another. There seems to always be a “catch” for so many things in the Philippines.
I went to the US with the same mindset and I was amazed that people here do not think that way. They help if they want to and they don’t if they do not feel like it. They can directly say that they cannot do it for you or tell you if they are willing.
You do not have to pay them to get things done. Gratitude seems to be a sufficient payback. I enjoyed the 50% plus an additional 20% discount for items that are still in top shape. Services and things do not have a catch and you are always assured of getting your money’s worth.
There are rarely any “catch” or “strings attached” here.
Lesson # 4: I knew what Courtesy really means
Filipinos are known to be a friendly group of people. We really are. But, we can sometimes be so clannish that our friendliness only extends to those we know and are familiar with. We seem to have an invisible border around us that only specific people can invade. Although this is a personal choice that we make, there is more to courtesy than this.
If you have ever tried riding an elevator with a fellow Filipino and an American you will know what I mean. Filipinos to Filipinos in an elevator scenario will rarely speak to each other no matter how long the ride is. But Americans riding with a Filipino in an elevator will usually strike a conversation by simply saying hi or asking any question such as the weather condition.
Americans are friendly!
Filipinos are known as people of great values. I definitely agree to this. However, after experiencing another place, another group of people, another life, I realized that we Filipinos can still improve whatever values that we are proud of at the moment. We are just good enough, but we can always be better or even be best.
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America is not a country of milk and honey as what we thought but its a better place to live compared to our own country sad to say “there is no perfect place in this world”
America is not a country of milk and honey as what we thought but its a better place to live compared to our own country sad to say “there is no perfect place in this world”
America is not a country of milk and honey as what we thought but its a better place to live compared to our own country sad to say “there is no perfect place in this world”
It’s true,, I grew up in the Philippines, but I live in Michigan, it just snowed yesterday , in the winter my heat bill is 400.00$ not including rent, electric, etc etc… Plus winter coats, and your car can break down easier in the winter, food is expensive and not as delicious as Philippine food… Mmm.. I love Philippine food
It’s true,, I grew up in the Philippines, but I live in Michigan, it just snowed yesterday , in the winter my heat bill is 400.00$ not including rent, electric, etc etc… Plus winter coats, and your car can break down easier in the winter, food is expensive and not as delicious as Philippine food… Mmm.. I love Philippine food
It’s true,, I grew up in the Philippines, but I live in Michigan, it just snowed yesterday , in the winter my heat bill is 400.00$ not including rent, electric, etc etc… Plus winter coats, and your car can break down easier in the winter, food is expensive and not as delicious as Philippine food… Mmm.. I love Philippine food
So, can you confirm that you finally found Peace of mind??? or is it just the same ratrace and tailchasing and showing on facebook what new stuff you have bought yourself because you couldnt buy it when you were in the philippines? showing to the people back home that America is the best place, just as those that are in Europe thinks the same. Peddling yourself to the highest bidder Working your back so you can spend your hard earned dollars to go to the finest beaches to relax and have some free time to experience peace…all these you already have back home for almost the tiniest fraction of that price and moreso, much less trouble. so why go into the hamster cage that you jumped into???
The Author said it all. America and Philippines are become my two countries. The Philippines where I was born and raise. America where I live for 26 years with my family. I love Philippines because it is my native country but I don’t like Philippines’ government system. Everything in the Philippines seems slow process and under extreme corruption. Unlike, Americans’ system is fast and easy. You can be assure 99% everything that you want it done, is properly done accordingly. 99% Americans obey and respect the law. The people here in America are free to voice out their complaints and not afraid being get hurt of get killed. Above all, The American people are not allowed to litter or loiter everywhere. The homeless people are not everywhere in the street corner. Homeless has a place to go to eat or to stay. Even the America is not rich country anymore, still, I choice to live here and visit Philippines.
The Author said it all. America and Philippines are become my two countries. The Philippines where I was born and raise. America where I live for 26 years with my family. I love Philippines because it is my native country but I don’t like Philippines’ government system. Everything in the Philippines seems slow process and under extreme corruption. Unlike, Americans’ system is fast and easy. You can be assure 99% everything that you want it done, is properly done accordingly. 99% Americans obey and respect the law. The people here in America are free to voice out their complaints and not afraid being get hurt of get killed. Above all, The American people are not allowed to litter or loiter everywhere. The homeless people are not everywhere in the street corner. Homeless has a place to go to eat or to stay. Even the America is not rich country anymore, still, I choice to live here and visit Philippines.
Good writing! Thank you for sharing this.
Although I do not completely agree to most of what you said. My comment is only for the purpose of sharing my opinions, obviously, as how you shared yours. I think that you degraded yourself just a bit for not considering other factors why the culture of the Philippines is so much different than here in the United States. Yes, it is great how people have many options and opportunities in the United States, but you have to also consider that the Philippines and the United States are very different from each other culturally.
How you generalized how the word “industrious” means in the Philippines… is just mind-blowing. Really? Had it ever crossed your mind to realize that people actually work harder over there than here? It may not seem like it, but they do. Who gets more out of their “hard work” though..? People here in the United States, of course. It’s because the “average” quality of life in the United States is better than the average life in the Philippines. It’s the economy that should have been pointed out not the culture. And if you didn’t know, people here in the United States hire helpers to do stuff for them too. Don’t get too worked up though because, again, this is only my opinion. Where you explained learning the importance of humility, I think is a special case because I don’t think that all of the people that migrated to the US from the Philippines have had graduated as Cum Laudes. Why would you be humiliated if like what you stated above, that you’re glad that no one is expecting something out of you here..? What you’ve written are all true in view, obviously, but not the general case. I’m very glad to have read what others think of the values of the two countries which I love though. It gives me additional things to think about in life.
PS. The “Americans are friendly” gave me a major chuckle. Maybe you did not mean to, but I sort of viewed it a bit biased. Oh well, that’s only what I think… doesn’t really mean anything… right?
Have a good day! Thank you for sharing this, again!
You have to work hard for everything.
You have to work hard for everything.