Do you think it's time the Filipino let go of saying "Po" and "Opo"?

Question

I know, in the Philippines, it's a sign of respect to your elders. In some countries, the women walk behind their husbands as a gesture of respect. But it all gets to a point when it all sound so fake and can easily be interpreted as butt-kissing.
I watched an interview of a common Filipino (tagalog-speaking) on CNN once. The man kept using po and opo so repetitively, it got teeth-grindingly annoying.
I visited a Jollibee branch here in Makati yesterday and a kid, who was about 2 or 3 years younger than me kept adding "po" to everything addressed to me.
Maybe if we limit the use of "Po" and Opo" to our elderly in the family, it would be ok. I just do not think it's necessary to use these words when conversing to the police, teachers, politicians, customers (if you work in the fast-food industry, for example), etc...

What do you think?

Dances with, that's why I added the last part of my question. If you disagree, just say it and I'll respect it. Personal attacks are uncalled for.
I use "po" and "opo when speaking with the elderly in my family (uncles, aunts, etc...)
I just do not think it should be used beyond that.

It's amazing how some people think I'm pressing my ideas to them. I would have never asked you what YOU think if this was the case.

A question to those who tell me I'm uptight... Would you be "disrespecting" your elders if you spoke english with them, where "po" and "opo" do not have any equivalent words?

No basketball MVP, I will not shut up.
It is obvious that you did not read the additional details I wrote. I AM NOT AGAINST THE USE OF PO AND OPO. I just think it should be limited, as the tendency for the common Filipino to overdo it is high. I have no other idea how to say "Mano po" without eliminating "po".

Nena, I am not saying everybody using po and opo are annoying. Again, I SAY IT TO MY ELDERS ALSO!!! I just limit it to them and nobody else gets to hear po and opo from me.
The annoying part is when it is EXCESSIVELY USED in the same way as I saw it on TV... like...

Ano PO, doon PO kayo liliko, tapos PO dun na PO kayo aakyat.

I'm not suggesting that we give this up, as I myself will not give up saying po and opo to my elders and relatives and family.

Answer 1

I always use po and opo to elder people relatives or not.

But not excessively, that you have to end every 3 words of sentence with po and opo.

But there it's hard not to use those word when conversing to elderly it's just awkward even if I'm annoyed i still ended up saying the word to the person.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on which part of the Philippines you come from, why take the culture away when it is so beautiful to use it? I grow up w/o using it coz am not a Tagalog speaking person but everytime I hear it spoken, it is like music, if you don't like it, keep it to yourself, you see, you might not have practiced it as you grow along. It is just your opinion and I respect it, it just so ugly to hear that you have "problems" listening to it when it sounds so beautiful. So sorry but I think something is wrong w/ you. I am not the whole Philippines to judge you but I am a true blood Pinoy, that how it is, otherwise you are not a true blooded Noypi! I don't live in RP anymore but if you go the Filipino areas and you hear "po" and "opo", kakakilig, parang nasa Pinas ka uli, you feel proud you were born a Filipino if you hear it spoken, it is unique!

Answer 3

The expressions "po"and "opo" are very uniquely Filipino, and I think we should go on using them. It shows how polite and respectful of elders we are as a people.

Some youngsters would debauch these expressions, by wantonly using them to anyone and everyone, sometimes even in a condescending or sarcastic way. Those usages should be "let go". Using them improperly only reduces the real essence of the polite words.

Answer 4

Using of 'Po'and 'Opo' is a sign of respect and Filipinos are known for it, and I think it should be preserved. However, sometimes people OVER-use these words in a statement or sentence - this when it becomes annoying to the ear. Too much OPO and PO usage within same statement sounds OVER! I think what we should let GO is the OVER-USAGE/REDUNDANCY of the words.

Answer 5

I do have relatives in Cebu, and they do not use "po" or "opo" when relating with their elders. I think only those who speak Tagalog (and maybe other dialects, but not all) use these.

Excessive use of "po" and "opo" can be annoying, but I do not agree with the idea of limiting it to the elderly in the family. These words, I think, can still be used (yet sparingly) to show respect to others (particularly those who speak Tagalog). They seem appropriate to be used to elders and to those who have authority (bosses, teachers, law people, etc.). Not in every sentence, I guess.

Answer 6

annoying or not, it's a great tradition of the filipinos (esp. among the tagalog speakers). while i'm an ilongga - our sub-culture doesn't subscribe to po 'n opo - i did grow up in manila. so i guess that's where i picked up my values and i suppose that makes me a part of the "annoying" people. but no, it's NOT time for the filipinos to let go of saying "po" and "opo." NEVER!!! my future children will learn these same values, wherever they may be raised.

Answer 7

Po And Opo

Answer 8

Yes, I guess so. Being born in the Philippines, I understand what you mean, it's traditional but it's 2007, so why still say it? I live in the U.S. & I do respect my parents & elders but I don't address them as "Po" or "Opo" anymore, not like when I was a kid. We don't need to do that here. If you don't want to say it anymore, then don't. I still think the tradition will carry on b/c it's become a habit.

Answer 9

that would be too hard..we've been saying 'po' and 'opo' for centuries (i think)

as kids, specially in tagalog region, they were already taught to say po and opo as a sign of respect so that will be so difficult to "let go" of that

Answer 10

Old habits die hard po. I can't help it, I tell you. Unless it's someone obviously much younger than me, everyone gets the traditional "po" and "opo". It's almost like a period (.). It's how I end my sentences po. I offer no apologies for the way I am.