Please don't answer by saying how westerners and other nationalities value such items as well. True, Americans may be more materialistic, but for the most part they an afford those items. Some Filipinos forsake purchasing basic necessities such as food, medicine, education and investments for iPods, the hottest cellphones, clubs and fashions--on installment??? Wazzup wid dat?
2006-12-11 07:16:57 · 13 answers · asked by Well 5 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
This can be a long discussion....
Too much Commercialism and Americanism plus bad Filipino traits has contributed to this spending lifestyle. Filipinos tend to imitate the American lifestyle even though it does not suit him. You can see kids doing the hip-hop and the bling bling thing which is ridiculous. In fact we follow an American style government (Congress and Senate) which is strange.
Filipinos have this "Crab Mentality". If you place a bunch of crabs in a basket, not one would probably get out. If a crab sees another crab on top, it would pull it down so that it can get on top of other crabs. This cycle goes on and on. Most Filipinos try to out do each other and competitive spirit is so strong. Everyone wants to win (Philippine politics is a good example).
The Philippines is basically drowning from financial, social and political problems. For some Filipinos buying these small luxuries is an escape from these problems. They want to feel good even for a single moment. This attitude contributes to alcohol and drug abuse.
But despite these problems, you see Filipino workers abroad who are hard working and committed. To a point they sacrifice themselves to give their families a better life in the Philippines.
There are good and bad Filipino traits. Its a matter of extracting more the good and minimizing the bad traits.
By the way, I am a Filipino. Fortunately I was taught to spend money wisely. For me, not all American things are good. Sorry George, but you can't simply export democracy in a box. As your father once said, READ MY LIPS.....
2006-12-11 16:35:37 · answer #1 · answered by CDOguide 5 · 2⤊ 7⤋
Some, but not all of the Filipinos I know just love showing off their gadgets to other people, simply because having these material things is a status symbol here. You know, the poor-middle-upper classes gap here is so wide, that some people here, if they have a little money to spend, would rather purchase something of value that would help raise their socio-economic status just a little. Though I agree with you that they sometimes prioritize these material things over basic necessities or would max out their credit cards just to posses these items, most Filipinos really do work very hard to earn so they can buy what they want. And everyone has a right to spend in whatever way they want their hard-earned money.
2006-12-11 15:35:06 · answer #2 · answered by gapdreambabe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a Filipino-American. I am not materialistic. I commute though I can afford to buy a car since means of transportation is easier here in the Philippines than in the USA.
I would agree that some people would really buy luxurious things and go around the world but dont spend on their foods. Sad to say some of them are too materialistic. Some are even obsessive compulsive.
I had seen these Filipinos some of them are rich and some are those who even came from nothing and had the opportunity to go to the States. They come to the US and are very proud when they return to the Philippines. I hate these people who are social climber!
2006-12-11 11:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Pakitang Tao" is a very Filipino trait or mentality whereby they want to show people they are well-off. Pakitang tao roughly translates to show people. Status is very important in Filipino society. Maybe it stems from Spanish influences when the affluent were respected and the natives were called indios and looked down upon. In the Philippines, the opinions of others are very important.
2006-12-12 03:32:58 · answer #4 · answered by avenus 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That may be true about some Filipinos, as with any other nationality. You cannot generalize this to the whole population.
2006-12-11 15:46:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What are you basing your question on? If we're going to speak in generalizations, doesn't each American carry an average of $2300 in credit card debt? Saying that Americans can afford to buy these items only means that credit is more widely available to them - doesn't necessarily mean that they're more liquid. Having said that, I don't really see how Filipinos are any more "obssessed" with material possessions than their American counterparts.
2006-12-11 19:02:37 · answer #6 · answered by flingbee 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you ask the main exciting questions!! (y) ummm... possessions are ruled by using the 2d abode... I actually have a 2d abode virgo (sidereal) or libra (tropical).. Libra Pluto (sidereal) or Scorpio Pluto (tropical) is in my 2d abode... ok, so my thoughts could be like a coconut... ;)) i'm all annoying and complex from outdoors.. human beings often think of that i'm kinda impassive.. and that i'm awkward with my thoughts.. yet on the interior, ... nicely, you get the story
2016-10-05 04:35:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because life is good and wonderful. Most Filipinos believe that we have only one life to enjoy and live to its fullest. Filipinos do care for basic nessecities. We need food to live, medicine, shelter etc. Its just cool to buy gadgets and things that are cool.
2006-12-11 17:09:14 · answer #8 · answered by dWade03 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't understand that as well. I need some answers too.
Add to that that they say they are poor when in fact they are more into fashion than their american counterpart who are obviously richer than them.
2006-12-11 08:54:28 · answer #9 · answered by Dave Star 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am married to a filipina and know a lot of them. I have never met one that is obsessed with material possessions.
2006-12-11 07:26:14 · answer #10 · answered by Crackerass 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋