Living in a country other than where you are from makes you a foreigner. You are different. Living in the Philippines, it is obvious that you are a foreigner in most cases. I mean, if you are white or black, all people have to do is look at you and they know you are not from here. After you’ve been here for a while, it’s not even hard to pick out other Asians and know that they are foreigners. For example, it’s easy for me to look at somebody and know that they are Korean or Japanese. Some other countries are harder to instantly know to be foreigners – nearby places like Indonesia or Malaysia for example – the people from there can blend in more easily. Most readers of this site, though, are Westerners – British, Americans, etc. When it comes to us, if we live in the Philippines there is no masking the fact that we are in a foreign land.
One thing that I’ve known for a long time, but my other Caucasian friends tell me all the time is that no matter what country they are from, since they are white they are considered Americans here. And, as I said, this is something that I’ve been aware of for some time, so it’s not a surprise to me. Some of my friends from other countries, though, get quite upset when they are pegged as Americans, and rightly so, since they are not. When it comes to people of other races, black people for example, I am not sure if they are so quickly categorized as American or if they would be called African, or what. It is something that I wonder about.
The real question on my mind, which I am leading up to, though, is this…. since any of us Westerners are so easily known to be foreigners when seen by people here, are we also classified by the actions of our respective Governments? In other words, if a person (Filipino) here doesn’t like some action of the US Government, does he apply that feeling toward Americans that he sees on the street? Or, are we considered as individuals by the average person here? Certainly, the US Government does things that I don’t always approve of or even like, so why should people’s feelings about me be influenced by the actions of my government? Can you image the feelings of a person from Denmark or the UK when he is considered as an American, and treated in a way based on the actions of the US Government? That certainly must be distressing to that person, I would imagine!
But, even for an American, I feel that we should not be defined by what our Government does, since opinion is quite diverse in our Country, and we may or may not agree with the action in question.
Honestly, the average Filipino is fairly pro-American, so this isn’t a big concern. A few militant type people (those who are always demonstrating and such) are anti-American, but that is a small minority.
For those of you who are reading this who are not American, yet considered to be American just based on your race, how do you feel about this?
Bob,
You raise a point I've thought about many times. I arrived in the Philippines within the past 2 months (I'm originally from the US), so I'm not sure if the situation is different here than in other places, but in my experience people around the world (including developing countries) understand very clearly the difference between the actions of a government (whether the US or any other) and its people. Sometimes I've been surprised because at times, it's like they understand that point better than we Americans act towards foreigners in the US. After 9/11, there was a Sikh gas station owner in the US who was killed because someone thought he was Muslim! Of course that shows incredible ignorance, but even if the victim had been Muslim, the killer never stopped to think that the victim might not agree with what his fellow Muslims did. On a lesser scale I've overheard many very unpleasant comments about foreigners made by Americans when I've been visiting the US in recent years, and unfortunately it seems to be increasing!
My point is that if we are going to be blamed for actions of our fellow citizens or governments, then we might as well go home right away. Thankfully, most people know better than that. Of course, it also helps if those of us who live in another country always try to show respect and behave the right way.
peace,
Chris
Hi Chris – Good points! I actually had not really thought about the other side of the coin – how foreigners are treated in the USA.
I think my outlook is skewed and there are basically two sides of the argument. The way I look at it, the USA is a land of immigrants. You can't tell that somebody is not an American just by looking at them, because Americans come from places all over the world. On the other hand, you have people in the USA who see anybody that doesn't look like they do as foreigners. Those are the people who killed that Sikh man who owned the gas station. It's a sad world….
As the UK representatives here we have to say that we get use to being called JOE when we are seen in the streets. That's fine and is always great to see the big smile that accompanies it.
In most cases when we say we are NOT from USA that we are British ,the smile seems to get wider.
Amongst some it seems to be a relief that we are NOT American, I have spoken to many of my friends here with regard to what this means.
The consensus appears to be that the war in IRAQ is not the main reason for the recent ANTI AMERICAN feelings,(we Brits are also there).
It seems that the war has only reinforced feelings of "bullying" and"those pushy Americans", and sorry to say I have witnessed this myself so many times, the culture of the Americans when transplanted outside its borders seems rude and uncaring to the masses.
My great American friends here in Davao all feel concerned by the worlds recent anti_American feelings,and in private conversations tell me that the American ways of getting things done in the USA are in conflict style and in most cases the rest of the world just takes this as rude.
With President Bush the feelings of anti-Americanism is almost heard at all levels of other governments and people in the street now feel free to say the same.
The world is now connected 24/7 by TV and Internet. People want the USA to lead for sure and even protect. So come on guys lets get the USA back at the top and beloved by us all!!
I am a brit, I don't know about being treated in any different way because of the U.S goverment's actions, never experienced anything that I noticed anyway. But when I first came to the phils whenever someone shouted "hey Joe" or called me a Kano, I felt like saying NO I'm not an American and my name's not Joe.
But it would have simply been a waste of time to try and explain that, so I just wave and say Hi… it's the easier option and it doesn't matter anyway, after all they are just being friendly.
Hi Bob, Chris and John. I am used to be called Joe in the Philippines, Sometimes I would answer as in "Hey Pinoy". Yeah, it's okay for me, if Filipinos think I am an American. Sometimes, I tried to explain that I am German. But then mostly I have to bear "Sauerkraut, Beer and Sausage" 😀 or "Rich but arrogant people" 🙄 or the "very known bad German history"… – Let's do the best out of it.
Hi John – The reaction that you get when you say you are from the UK surprises me. I'll have to think more about that. Fact is that most of the UK policies and actions mirror US actions as well.
Hi Gerry – I am not a big fan of the whole "Hey Joe" thing, but I've come to just accept it, and wave like you are saying. Truth is that when I go out around town, a lot of people think that I'm German! 😆
Hi Klaus – I'm a little surprised that Filipinos would bring up the bad German history thing. From what I've seen and heard, very little about European history is taught here in the schools. I'm with you, though, not much we can do except just let this kind of thing slide off our backs, and go on with our day.
Here's another Joe's P2.00 worth 😀
As you mentioned, there will always be some who pick up a few pesos here and there being "anti-American" for the news crews. They also pick up a few extra centavos demonstrating for or against the "issue of the day"! 😉
I've noticed that there's also a preoccupation with what I call "playing the blame game" – everything that happens does so because of someone or something. There's really no such thing as an accident. Even an accident has a cause that can be traced to a person (real or imaginary) or the result of some superstition or taboo being violated.
Of course, the further removed from the group (the family, the group of friends, the barrio/barangay, the town, etc.) a person is, the higher the probability the person will receive the blame. Strangers, foreigners and the like are often easy targets. 🙄
Hi Paul – Very true on the "blame game" comment. Thanks for sharing that.
Will be interesting to see where people think New Zealand is when I arrive next year. Even some Americans think that New Zealand is across the Sydney harbour bridge, when in fact NZ is some 1,000 miles across the Tasman Sea from Australia (head south to Sydney/Australia and hang a left . . . . if flying from the Philippines). Jo ey is a nickname for an Australian as that is the name they give to the baby kangaroo. Nickname for a New Zealander is "kiwi" being this countries flightless native bird, but if I become another Joe thats' fine by me.
Hi Richard – I have a good friend who has lived here for many years. He is from Austria. I can't tell you how often when he tells somebody that he is from Austria, they will ask him if he has seen kangaroos, or something similar! 😆
Yes Austria and Australia often get mixed up . . . . wonder if there has ever been a case of a person boarding a flight for either of those two countries and ending up in the wrong place and I wonder if Klaus know's what the national animal of Austria is ?
Bob
Like most people here, i "don't mind" being mistaken for an American (i'm a brit) it certainly is not an insult and like you say, we do tend to mirror American foreign policy……i find Filipinos very pro American and like you say there are a few anti American factions but i think that mostly people in the Philippines admire the US
Bob,
I am a Canadian living in Austria, and sometimes my mail from Canada gets routed first to Australia and when they realize the mistake it eventually finds me over here. There is even a fridge magnet over here that says "There are no kangaroos in Austria".
The national animal of Austria is a bird – the black eagle.
Hi Bob
I sometimes think that filipinos think that there are only 2 countries that exist in the worild and thats America and the Philippines.
A little story…
One time in a taxi the driver started to chat to me, Ive had this conversation 100s of times before not always this bad! haha. Firstly driver says. Sir….. (as he looks in the rear view mirror) where are you from? Me!!!… Im from London, ahhhhhh he says then it goes quiet i see him looking a bit puzzled and then he asks… is that in New York? I say nope i say its in England. Ohhhhhhhhhh he says. Then i see him thinking again and a few minutes go past then he says Sir what state is that in? lol
Then i start saying well England is part of the UK and the UK is part of Europe. Ahhhhhhhhhhh he says Europe. Catch him in the mirror a few minutes later thinking and scratching his head LOL i was not going to take it any further and mention Wales Scotland and Ireland haha.
I hasten to add i have had taxi drivers who are very educated geographically and not that dumb. Things like that brighten up my day haha
Hi Bob- My experiance has been that after a while in the community that you circulate in your own personality is what counts. When you step outside this boundry to a place where you are just another foreigner its down to how you behave as an individual.I'm sure the Filipinos recognize that there is good and bad in every society and thats the way of life. I say, treat others as you wish to be treated yourself and if there is a few whom you cannot please then that's just too bad. As John says a smile can work wonders in a difficult situation.
This is news to me. Never have I been singeled out as American. I have always been asked where am I from . The only exception to this are from more sophisticated and well traveled filipinos who recognize my accent which is full bllodied northeast US or to be more exaxt NEW YORK CITY.
Hi Richard – It would be interesting to know if anybody has gotten on the wrong plane like that!
Hi rick b – I agree fully.
Hi John – Ha ha… now, THAT is interesting and funny!
Hi Graham – Being from Washington State, anytime a taxi driver asks where I am from, I respond "Washington State." Invariably, they always ask me about the White House. I've given up on trying to explain that Washington State is 3,000 miles away. My response – "oh yes, the White House is very nice." 😆
Hi Jim – I agree with you. Once people get to know you, your nationality plays little role in what people think of you. Having a friendly attitude is always a plus here!
Hi Corey – This shocks me! You've never been called "Joe" while traveling around the Philippines? 😯
I have had the pleasure of traveling to many different countries in my life time, so I have been called a Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Egyptian, and in some cases they don’t know for sure, just that I look like maybe Arabic.
I of course am not any of those nationalities, I am American, and so I certainly understand the confusion when a Filipino sees an individual that looks like the typical stereo type westerner, or American, as shown on a lot of T.V shows.
Hi Steven – Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Interesting topic. I think the term Joe came from our involvment in WWII. If there are some that want to hold that against us I give them that right. I lived in the Subic area and Manila for almost 4 years when I was in the Marine Corps and I recall being called Joe often and always with friendliness. I agree with you Bob and others that have already commented that some of the policy decisions of America are not popular and for myself there are so many I disagree with. Fortunately an election is coming up and I once again get the opportunity to do my part to change our leadership and hopefully elect officials that are more in line with my own belief system. If America is viewed so negatively by others I wonder why there is such a huge effort for immigrants to come here? I of course know some of the answers to that comment. I do find it amusing that for such a terribly perceived nation that so many desire to live here. Where would The U.K, the Australians, New Zealanders, the Filipinos among countless others be if not for this nation of Americans? I am and always will as I am sure you are proud to be an American. So call me Joe and I will accept that name with pride. For those from other nations they should consider it an honor that they are mistaken for being one. Ron
I think that for the most part, Americans are held in high esteem in the Philippines today, especially in the provinces. The old folks still tell stories about the sacrifices the Americans made to free the country during World War II. My father and his friends ,who are in their '80s, are of the opinion that the Americans have done more for the country in 46 years than the Spaniards did in over 400 years. About 1/3 of the households in the country have relatives in the US. And these relatives send money back home. These are all positive things and these help to explain why so many Filipinos want to immigrate to the US, Australia, and Europe.
When someone is called Joe in the country, never think of it as a negative thing. It's a starter and it's like picking up the phone and saying , "hello". So wave, smile, and be merry. To add spice to this conversation, my father in law is a caucasian and he calls my Filipino father, Joe. I think it's just easier for my father in law to call him Joe than to have to remember his real name.
Hi Ron LaFleur – Thanks for your comment. I can see, though, how it would be frustrating to be constantly called American when you are not. Other countries are great too and have done great things to help Filipinos and others, so they should get some recognition too.
Hi Aldel – Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bob,
It's just the same as all Asian being mistaken for an oriental. Some people will always equate asians as chinky eyed yellow people even if we're not.
Hi John, Richard explain already about the Austrian national animal. He was faster than me. How about the Austrian national flower? Anybody knows?
Hi Bob. Yeah, it's unfortunately true about the German history thing. So you're a German 🙄 , and I am American. Anyway, the good and important thing is, that we are friends…
Hi Jim, you're right. If you're friendly, nationality plays really a small role only. Live in the Philippines…
Hi Rey – You make a good point there, something that I had not previously considered. Thanks!
Hi Klaus – Yes indeed!
Hi Richard – I remember a young man boarding a flight in the States intending to fly to Oakland (domestic), but realised after a few too many hours flying time that something was amis. Turns out he responded to a voice anouncement for a flight to Auckland NZ, which when pronounced with an American accent can be quite similar. Amazing he got through the check in and ended up in New Zealand. Air New Zealand ended up hosting the guy in NZ for a few days, showing him the sights of your beautiful country. ps Richard sorry to see the international sports trophy cabinets so empty this year.
Hey I dont mind being called Joe or Kano; just dont call me late for dinner!!
Hi Anthony – I'm with you there! 😆
Ron La Fleur – Where would Australia be without America? A very open question, but dont believe everything you watch in Hollywood movies! Recently a Philippino who was held a prisoner by the Japanese during WW2 in Tacloban, wanted to keep thanking me (an Australian) because he said it was mainly Australian troops who followed General McCarther in the liberation of the Philippines, (or maybee the Tacloban district). Dont ever forget the sacrifices of many brave men from many different nations in the persuit of Democracy
Anthony
i do think Ron has led us down a patriotic nationalistic path which is best avoided. I said in an earlier post i was quite happy to be recognised mistakenly for an American, it is no insult at all but like you are alluding to i can't say i feel "honoured" to be mistakenly identified as American (i am a brit)…..the feeling implies that we should recognise American citizenship and world contribution and position as superior to our own nationalitiy / identity
Sorry Ron, we don't, well to be honest i'm not sorry, can't speak for everyone but i think from Anthony and myself you can take it, we don't agree with your point
Hi Anthony and rick b – When I read Ron's comment, I expected the reaction that you guys had. I wasn't sure who would display that reaction, but I knew it would come. I think that Ron had good thoughts in mind, but I also agree that each and every one of us should be proud of our own country, wherever it may be.
It is funny, but some people here seem to want to place me differently when I say I am an American. They look at me and ask if I am not Spanish, and I have even been asked if I am not actually Indian (from India). I explain that most Americans are often a mix of many nationalities, and that I am a mixture of European/Anglo stock… But since I know that being of Spanish stock is equal to 'good looking,' I take it as a compliment. 🙂
Hi AmericanLola – I am sometimes mistaken as German. Interesting about the Spanish/Indian thing!
I have a somewhat unique perspective to the generalization. Now while I was sheltered extensively by Marleen on my most recent visit, I still had the awkwardness of some wondering where was from. As a black man visiting the philippines, I ran into only a few cases of people thinking that I was african and not American. (You get ahold of a photo of me and you will see why! 😆 ) Mostly, as I stayed around Marleen's family and the poorer provincial types, I was greeted more as a curio than an invader or a harbinger of illwill. (Like a bullfrog that walks on its hind legs and talks…) I only got a lot of stares and polite grins. The most common referrence to my nationality was a wispered question to the tune of, "Is he American?"
AmericanLola, from your picture, I would have guessed that you had some Amerindian heritage. For the most part, people who are questioning heritage are doing it in an appropriate manner, correct?
Hi American Lola, if I watched the picture, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN. 😆
Hi Lawrence Johnson – Interesting comment! Thanks for sharing.
Being called Joe is one of the most irritating things about living in the Philippines. I usually respond with. Please don't call me Joe! I don't like Americans!
Hi Rob – Wow! Thanks for your vote of confidence! What country are you from? 😆
Robbie boy is from Ukraine ! (Ooopps, dont take it seriously, Rob) No offence but Pinoys always assumes that every westener they see around in the philippines are American (especially children).Remember the American Bases in Olongapo And Angeles City years ago? That must have influenced some pinoys one way or another. Filipinos mean no harm if they call a foreigner "Joe or Kanoh"..just think of it as a compliment or a friendly greeting..i can assure you nothing is personal about it . HI Joey -rooo! ! Got symphathy from the taxi driver. Must have been a challenge for him to figure out where London was? I dont think the person is dumb (as had been quoted) It seems to me that his knowledge in geography is just limited for some reason , probably the lack of education (he may have only managed to finished primary school) who knows.. and has never been out of the country..? Clear enough his knowledge in geography is crap but he's certainly good at something.. You never know .. he could be one of the good people who have general information about Davao ( AND IF COMMUNICATION ISN'T THE PROBLEM ? IT'S A BONUS !!) IM SURE HE WOULDNT MIND BEING ASKED FOR HELP. BUT THEN AGAIN YOU NEED TO TRUST THE PERSON. DESCRETION SHOULD BE APPLIED IN ANY CASE. I remember watching a concert on TV performed by a famous band known worlwide. The band were from Europe , touring U.S. A A group of American fans were allowed to meet their favourite band backstage. One of them, a stunning lady, bravely asked, " Which country did you come from "? One of the members of the band answered politely, "from Ireland !" Their faces froze.all eyes staring at the band with curiosity ? The same lady asked again, "Where is that exactly? To keep it simple and straight, the lead singer answered, "In Europe !" Another fan interrupted, "Oh yes, that's in Paris!"
I think the band were relieved when the security lead them away. Outside ,the reporter asked that same group of fans, (again )
"Does anyone of you know where Ireland is ?" One said coyly,
"Never heard of it before"! "Is it on the map?!!" Another fan snapped, "Is that in Scotland?!" The reporter finally asked, "has anyone of you been to Europe ? " Together they replied , "NO" !! The British reporter left shaking his head, scratching his dandruff !! That must be a real challenge for him.
This story is no exaggeration… Does ayone of you know the Philippines national FOLK DANCE and the Phils. NATIONAL FLOWER/? Say it right then with the correct pronounciation.? have a nice day guys !
Hi jean (pinay uk) – Sorry to say, but I am also one who hates being called "Joe" all the time. It grinds on me.