What mistakes do foreigners often make in the Philippines?
Hi everyone,
I’m French, married to a Filipina, and I’ve visited the Philippines a few times. But we don’t live there yet, so I know my perspective and experience are still limited.
I’d genuinely like to understand Filipino culture better — not only through my wife’s perspective, but also through the experiences of other Filipinos.
It could be a stereotype, a habit, a value, or something people often interpret incorrectly. I would like to avoid being unintentionally rude or making cultural mistakes when meeting Filipinos for the first time.
For example, the first time I met my mother-in-law, I didn’t do the '' mano po '' and only learned about it afterward ...
It made me realise there may be other things I could miss without meaning to.
Please feel free to be honest and specific. I’m genuinely here to learn.
Salamat po!