A few months ago, John Grant wrote a column on this site about a journey that he took in a taxi here in Davao. It was an interesting article, and mostly talked about communication between taxi drivers and foreigners.
Mostly, I don’t ride taxis, I have my own car, so I generally drive myself wherever I need to go. From time to time, though, I do take a taxi, especially if I am going somewhere that lacks adequate parking or something of that nature. The last few days, I’ve been rather sick with a bad cold. I needed to go do a few things around town, but didn’t feel like driving, so I took a taxi instead. Given my recent progress in learning to speak Bisaya, I decided that for the entire day, whenever I rode a taxi, I would only speak in Bisaya to the driver.
Generally, when I take a taxi, the trip is much as John described – I get in the taxi, tell the driver where I want to go, and it’s silent for the rest of the journey until I pay the driver and thank him for his service. Sometimes it’s nice to have a peaceful ride where you can reflect or just relax. Other times, though, it actually feels lonely, or actually feels like you are an outsider. Being an outsider is not a nice feeling. There are lots of other times when, as a foreigner, you are sort of an outsider. Remember last time you went to a party? For the most part, you had a bunch of Filipinos all speaking in their local tongue, and you were left sitting on the sofa drinking some coke. Not too fun. Same thing if you go to the mall, or a restaurant, too many times, as foreigners, we are left out, not included in conversations, because we are outsiders.
Well, yesterday, when I decided to speak only Bisaya to the taxi drivers, it really opened up a new world for me. I was quite surprised at just how friendly the drivers were. I wasn’t just a passenger anymore, I was more a friend or a compatriot. I had to struggle a little bit to keep up with the conversation, but when these guys would notice that I was having a hard time keeping up with the language, they adjusted, spoke more slowly, even helped me by giving me the English equivalent so that I could understand better. I have to say, an outsider was the last thing that I was feeling in this situation.
If you are living here in the Philippines, I really encourage you to learn the language that is most commonly used in your location. Not only will it give you the ability to speak with a wide range of people, it will make you part of society, not just an outsider who is noticed on the periphery.
The first and only other thing I say to a taxi driver aside from where to take me is DON'T USE YOUR HORN. For me silence is golden in a country of numerous irritating noises. I would of course love to learn the local dialect but I have always had a problem with learning languages so I will just have to suffer not learning Bisaya. In any event it is probably more practical to study Korean or Chinese the way this country is going.
Hi Corey – Driving without using your horn here could be dangerous, I honestly believe that. I use my horn a lot when I drive. When in Rome….
Learning languages is not easy for an American – we generally do not learn additional languages. If possible, though, give it a try if you plan to stay long term. I know that I had a lot of difficulty picking up Bisaya, but now that I've gotten started, I feel quite comfortable with it. Yesterday, after my lesson, my teacher told me that I am already at the point that she can send me to live in the Bukid (mountains), and I can communicate and survive!
I would beg to differ with you on the horn issue. It is totally out of control in this country and then foreigners get on the band wagon too. It is more out of laziness than avoiding hazard issues which are far fewer than advertised and any competent driver can avoid easily. I have a very nice vehicle and for over 2 years now I can count the number of times I have used my horn. I have driven the country and spent countless days driving in cities like Manila and Cebu.Is is becasue I am such a good driver? probably no beter or worse than most. It is because I pay attention and don't use my horn as a tool for laziness. I go around people and not try and blast them off the road. I also demand that any other drivers not use their horns while I am in the vehicle and guess what they don't and we get to where we are going safely and rarely is there even a close incident even going at the same rate of speed as normal. You have obviously fallen into the same trap so many here do. lazy driving habits. When in Rome….what a load
Oh Corey…. some of the things that you say on your comments are so sad. I'm lazy because I use my horn from time to time, yet in your last comment you said that you'll just have to suffer because you aren't going to even try to learn the language. Right…. you are trying so hard, and not lazy at all! 😆
Speaking of a load….
Bob I don't want to get into a spitting match with you. One reason I don't learn the language because I can't not because I am lazy. Another reason is I don't learn is because I really have no interest at all. I like to do things that are practical for my life and learning Bisaya is not practical to me. It serves me absolutely no purpose in my life. On the other hand you do use your horn becasue you are lazy. You don't need to but now it is a convenient crutch for you and you can't stop.
Whatever you say, Corey. You are the expert, after all. I just wish I had known that I was so lazy! 😆 😆
Well Bob, now you do know… so do something about it. stop using your horn and put down that barbeque rib!!!
sorry bout the rib remark.
Hi Bob –
As I've said before, you certainly have more than the normal human allotment of patience! Will be enjoying laziness "PI-style" next week – can hardly wait! 😆
PS – In the memorable words of Clarabelle the Clown (TV's Howdy Doody Show, mid-50s), "Honk honk!"
Hi Bob, I got the same experiences not only in Davao, also in Cebu and Manila with taxi drivers. You are totally right, talking in Filipino language can open many doors. That's what I felt more then a hundred times. 😆 😆
Corey I am gobsmacked by your posts, I am not defending Bob as he certainly doesn't need any help in that area, I think you have a possible relative point but do you have to be so accusatory.
You say "blast them off the road", I thought that when drivers honk their horn it was more indicative…. i.e. to say… be careful as I am passing you.. or some other type of warning.
I have only lived here for 3 months so will bow down to your greater experience but I would be interested in other posters opinions if it's not considered off topic.
Bob Corey As a non residedt of phil the constant honking of car horns drives me crazy. with your average Phil drivertake out the car engine he will find a way to drive it. take the wheels of the car again he will find a way to drive it. but disconnect the horn on the car so he cannot honk . then thereis no way he can drive. constant noise most ot it unnessacary drives lots of expats in Phil crazy. but then guys as we have said before it is not Kansas
Sorry folks for my blatant aggressiveness. This is not my forum or blog and I should be more polite. Bob, I have one last request and then I promise to leave you alone (at least for awhile). Perhaps try when possible to tackle some more meaty issues (at least to me) regarding an expat moving here to Davao Things that might be construed as more constructive to a person actually moving living and building a lfe here. Believe it not most of this sort of information stuff is not readily accessible to people as you might think and can only come from those with direct experience such as yourself. thanks
Corey – Honestly, I don't need you to tell my how to live my life. If I want to honk my horn I will do so, regardless of what you have to say about it. Barbecue rib? What have you been smoking?
Hi Paul – I was going to write that very piece, but I'm just too lazy to do so!
Hi Klaus – speaking a bit of the local language to people really opens up a whole new level of relationship, and it feels good to do so.
Hi Gerry – In my observation (lazy as I may be), the use of the horn is exactly as you describe – "hey, I am coming around you, be careful" not to blast anybody off the road. I can see anger in Corey's comments (not just today, but recently), and it is actually fairly typical for an expat to go through that. I went through that stage myself, so i can see it and understand it. Corey thinks he is smarter and less lazy than the people here, but he is yet to understand that no matter what he tells taxi drivers, he cannot change the way that 80 million people think and live. He will come to the point where he either has to adapt, or go home. I chose to adapt.
Hi Frank – Yeah, the noise bothers me too. But, I can escape it if I want, just by going home to the USA. In my case, I choose to stay here and adapt. It will be interesting to see what Corey does.
Corey – I do cover issues like that. If you read back through the archives you will see that. On a day to day basis, I will write about what is on my mind, in the subject area that this site covers.
My recommendation to you – take a rest, relax, calm down. You'll have a more enjoyable life!
Hi Bob and to all of you. Regarding #16 I would say the same.
Hi Bob AGREE 100%. one must adapt to your chosen enviroment as it will not adapt to you. as you are aware I enjoy Davao thats why I vist so often. next trip planned for feb /march. this time i hope to meet up with John Grant . I owehim afew beers and you and Feymer are more than welcome to joinus.Iam off on leave today till 11 december. offto the Namib desert. contact you all when iget back . Regards to all.
Bob
Reading your blogs over the past 6 months or so (i have enjoyed them immensely…mainly because of their constructive content but also from a more selfish reason as i am coming to davao to live in january and the issues raised have been of great interest to me) and back to the language, your experience of learning is giving me some cause for thought.
Being a brit (ask John) we are hopeless at languages and so i face similar problems to yourself (i remember this is your 3rd attempt to learn) and do not expect an easy ride, but like yourself Bob, i am an educated person and so i think, well i can have a go…..i would have tried Tagalog but reading your blog and your own language experiences along with American Lola and her succesful integration into the culture i am re-assessing and may well try Bisaya first and not tagalog……looking forward to some sun, some rest and a change in lifestyle first though
And a swift comment about the horn issue…noise bothers me too but its not our country and i would go for your integration method Bob not Coreys one man campaign to make Minadana more quiet…it would / will not work and would just make me more frustrated. I am not a lazy person either but in some issues its easier to take the path of least resistance.
I have only driven in Davao for a short time, only six weeks or so on my last visit so I am no expert.
From my short experience I would say it is much more dangerous not to use the horn while driving particularly when overtaking. Other drivers seem to accept the horn as a signal to hold their position while you come by. If you do not sound the horn while overtaking or passing junctions etc. another driver may pull out with dire consequences.
Regards,
Scott
Bob – Sorry to say it , but I think I am getting addicted to your web/blog site. At first all I was searching for was information about whether I could adjust or make the move to the Philippines, but now I am engrossed in the daily blogs covering many subjects which I have, and , may not have experienced in the Phils Bob – pleease dont beep at me with your horn or I might send some of my roosters to your bedroom window.
Hi Bruce – Yeah, everybody is free to leave their opinions on the comments here. People should also show respect for others as well.
I understand what you are saying about the use of the horn. Driving customs are different everywhere you go. As a single driver, it is nearly impossible to have an impact on the driving habits of thousands of others on the road in the City where you live. If you drive differently than the accepted norm, you are actually dangerous on the road, even if your style of driving is safer. The fact is that your style (safer or not) doesn’t fit in with the customs of the other thousands, and this creates difficulties.
Bob – You have the patience of a saint and the heart of a lion and for the record like the vast majority of readers of your blog my undivided support. The more you toot the more I'll root.
Hi Bob- You have the patience of a saint and the heart of a lion.
Like the vast majority of your blog readers you have my undivided support. The more you toot the more I'll root.
Hi Klaus – Thanks for your support.
Hi Frank – Good luck on your journey! I'll be looking forward to your next Davao visit!
Hi Rick B – Feeling that you can change the country is just one of the steps that most ex-pats go through, and it brings frustration, so I can see what stage of the ex-pat life Corey is in right now. He'll come around. 🙄
Hi Scott – I agree with your assessment. A lot of people don't use their rear view mirrors while driving here, so giving a little toot of your horn just gives them a heads up that you are there, and please don't change lanes while I am passing you! 😉
Hi Anthony – You're addicted? That is my plan! Glad that it is working so well. Ha ha… I'm already used to the roosters, by the way, you can't hurt me with those! 🙂
Hi Jim – Thanks for your support! Hopefully we can keep the honking to a minimum in Talakag, though, so we can get some good naps in the hammocks! 😆
Bob,
I grew up in the suburbs of New York. When I had driven in New York City, it is alot like there. Cab drivers honk and pass each other. At first I was scared, but later learned agressive driving was the rule.
Then I moved to Southern California, there drivers are more sadate and rarely honk.
On one trip back, as we were leaving the airport a car honked next to us and I jumped.
So we all get conditioned eventually.
I hope to become adapt at driving there.
About Cory, I feel sorry for you and his outburst. I know you hold your opinions but leave open the commets for all to express themselves.
I commend you for all the information, ideas and thoughts. I have learned a lot about Davao and the culture there from you.
I tell everyone I know when discussions come up, Bob said this, or Bob said that. Then tell them to visit here.
The Philippines sounds a bit like Mexico City the last time I visited there…the driving is much more 'contact' oriented that in the US. It appears like aggressive driving is a virtue if you want to get where you are going in one piece: horns being but one weapon in the arsenal 😉 .
On the question of language, I cannot fathom somebody deliberately living permanently in a different country and not immersing themselves, not only in the customs, but the language. In my opinion, that is the way to keep yourself permanently outside of society, even if your native language is a valid second language. And, such a person would deserve such a fate. For the casual tourist, a few phrases would be handy and I'm sure appreciated by the locals (though, I've learned from hard experience, that you should make it clear to those you are communicating with that you are just a visitor, and have not in anyway mastered the language). But for an expat, permanent resident, I would think it is considerably more than that. Learning the native language is obviously not mandatory, but I think not doing so would considerably diminish your overall life experience and degree of social acceptance you encounter.
Bottom line is, I think Bob is doing the right thing in learning Bisayan and I think his experiences are already showing dividends.
From striking a conversation to using your car horn… 🙂
I do enjoy a lot of your articles, Bob, covering (almost) all aspects of living in the Philippines as a non-Filipino. I like the way you start insightful articles based from day-to-day happy, sad, and humorous encounters in Philippine life.
One thing I learned from my Dad (who's a mad driver but one who knows how to drive well in the alleys, corners, and streets of Manila) is that honking in the Philippines can send messages to other drivers such as: "Move out of the way 'cause here I come now!" (honking long at street people or pedestrians), "Hello!" or "Hi Pal!" or "Nice to see you friend" (honking lightly at least twice at someone's friend in front or at the side or behind, then wave a friendly at them), "Hey you're too slow, speed up!" (honking madly at someone in front who's driving slowly or you're just oblivious of the fact that heavy traffic ahead is the cause of slowness), or "Happy New Year!" (yeah, many of our Manila neighbors do this especially on the eve of New Year).
Ok, bye for now, magkaun ako…
Compared to the UK where the horn is used only in emergencies or at least on a lesser level, the Philippines seems to me to us it so much that I am even beginning to ignore it.
My point being is that you hear it so much everyday it no longer seems to be a warning more like a welcome.
Some of the comments here are so fantastic, but as a fellow contributor and friend of Bob I must say sometimes I get baffled at some of the personal attacks we receive.
We write what we see and in the main we try not to get involved in politics or other sensitive articles.
Yet an article on driving can provoke suck fury!. Go figure.
Hi RichardInSC – Based on my own experience – I went for years saying that I won't learn the language – I can see the difference between being an outsider and finally accepting that I should learn to speak the local language, at least to some degree. If a person chooses to live here, in order to make his life as happy and carefree as possible, learning the language is one of the best things he can do.
Hi Jio – I hope you enjoyed your meal! Your Dad had some good insight there! The use of your horn can have many different meanings, depending on the length of the honk and such. I just learned a few more by reading your comment!
Hi John – Ha ha… I agree with you. Keep in mind, though… this wasn't even an article about driving, rather it was an article about talking with the taxi driver! Corey came along and changed the whole discussion! Amazing…
Back to the original article Bob wrote, I am so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your taxi ride since you were able to talk to the driver! Yes! It makes a big difference! The more you speak Cebuano, the less an outsider you will feel everywhere!
The way I see it is that we foreigners are 'walking English tests.' People see us coming and inwardly cringe and feel nervous because they don't know if they will be able to understand us, or if they will manage to finish the encounter without embarrassing themselves. When we speak Cebuano, the tables are turned. They are often so relieved that they begin laughing! Now you are the nervous one, but they are happy to set you at ease, encourage and help you, which is a much more humble way to enter the community.
When we are in Manila, we really do feel like foreigners because we don't speak Tagalog. But whenever we take a taxi, we ask right away if they speak Bisaya, and often they do! So instead of a silent, awkward ride, we have a very nice time making a new friend. And they are not likely to cheat a friend, either!
As to honking, we were told when we came, in our cultural orientation, that honking is important. In fact, if a car pulls out from the side of the road, and you hit it, it is your fault if did not honk to let the other driver know you would be passing him. So, the Filipino honk generally means "I'm here!" "Coming through!" "Letting you know I'm here!"
I am from California. In California, when you honk, it means "You idiot!!!" Fortunately, unless you really lean on it, people here don't know the difference between a Filipino honk, and a California honk! 🙂
Hi AmericanLola – I can imagine how finding a Bisays Taxi driver would help you feel a little more at home in the monstrosity of Manila. Interesting how you feel a foreigner there, as opposed to your home in CdO, where I believe that you feel like a resident and are more comfortable.
i think you need to use your horn .. danger is danger so you need to take care of it
i drive a lot here in the US (cross-state and cross-border). and i rarely use the horn. i get it. its loud, rude and only used in extreme case.
but as soon as i arrive in davao, my palm is resting on the horn. ready to use it. by no means is it a lazy habit. i won't even touch that logic because that just sounds like a naive traveler's thinking (sorry to be so blunt, but as a local, that's was the first thing that went through my mind — and i believe it).
it is purely for safety reasons. driving (and pedestrian crossing) is a different animal in the philippines. my father (who also lived & drove his beloved mustang in the US), made sure to teach me the value of a "courtesy honk" lest you be dangerously cut off by a car or jeepney.
honking your horn may be a rude action in other countries. but in 'pinas, it is merely a safety reminder. bothered by it? refusing to adjust to a different cultural mindset? or even to learn the dialect? i wonder who's lazy now?
Hi Bob – Well done on striking a conversation in Bisaya. You are now officially bi-lingual.
I really appreciate this site as it gives a true account of what it's like living in the Philippines (pros and cons). One example is constant honking – although it is common in the Philippines as a safety reminder, it can be annoying to some who are not used to it. The discussions here inform those who are coming to visit or contemplating to live in the Philippines that there are some things that they may not like. Bob and others have shared their experiences so that one can find out if it is something he/she is prepared to live/cope with and get used to before deciding whether to live in the Philippines or not!
Hi john – I agree!
Hi Macky – You know, after reading what you wrote, I went back and was reading over Corey's comments. It just doesn't make sense to tell the taxi driver not to use his horn because Corey likes peace and quiet. If you are driving around the public streets, plenty of others will be honking their horn, so having one less taxi honking would make little difference in the noise level! 😆
Hi Marilou – Thanks for your nice words. I don't think I can quite say I'm bilingual yet, I still have to think about what I want to say, not just say it. But, I'm getting there!
Hi Bob – You'll know when you've cracked it when you start dreaming in Bisaya!
Wow … i have to say that there are a lot of really "up tight" people … take a break guys … it's a horn not an atom bomb. exactly the reason I steer clear of any sort of "expat" organizations, meetings, etc. Too many uptight people expounding on all that they know is wrong with the Philippines and how it needs to be changed.
There was a fellow a few years ago on one of the popular Yahoo Philippine Groups who, I kid you not, was trying to get people to meet up and to contribute money to form a legal Philippine NGO (similar to a US non-profit) .,.. purpose? To hire inspectors to rove the cities and cite people for blowing their horns … and to lobby local mayors to pass more anti-horn ordinances. Talk about having wayyyy too much time on your hands.
I have only been "south" once, and that time only to Cebu. i didn't notice an excessive amount of horn blowing there … about the same as here in the Manila area. Maybe in Mindanao they are noisier … I don't know. I do know I drive my own car almost all the time and I also ride public trnaspo a lot and I don't see the problem.
Taxis and jeeneys give quick little hoots when they see a potential fare to attract the person's attention. I think it's kind of asking a bit much to tell a guy who earns in a day of hard work what an expat spends in a Starbucks in an hour not to bring home food to his kids becuase his horn upsets you.
It's standard practice to give a tap on the horn when overtaking … and believe me there have been plenty times I've been glad to get the warning. It's both common courtesy and good safety practice to give a peep when passing close to pedestrians … many places they have nowhere else to walk, and when you come up on a tricycle going 20kph on the National Road, a quick toot will let him know you're back there in the smoke and he'll move to the right … he has no mirrors and certainly can't hear you come up with the noise his two-stroke is making, so what's the "non-lazy" "proper" procedure in lieu of hooting your hooter?
Seriously, I'd like to hear some constructive suggestions for what to do when the tricycle is blocking the road or the 6yo kid is inches from your fender (off side wing). I seriously don't blow my horn for the fun of it, but I honestly believe it's important to use it, lazy, overweight misfit that i am … I'm open to suggestions.
Hi Marilou – You know what… on days when I have studied really hard, at night when I go to bed, as I drift off to sleep I have bisaya words just randomly going through my head. This has happened several times. I am not consciously thinking of the bisaya words, it just is uncontrollably in my thoughts. Strange, huh?
Hi Dave Starr – Wow, I didn't hear about the anti-horn NGO thing… that is so crazy that it is actually hilarious! I agree with your points 100%, Dave. When a kid is walking along the side of the road, I always give a little toot to let him know that I am coming – I have seen too many of those kids suddenly jump out into the road. Putting up with sound of a few toots is far more agreeable to me than seeing the blood of that kid on my bumper.
using the horn in the way "hey i'm be careful" is at least based on some thinking.
what disturbs me more is when i'm standing on the street, and a taxi driver honks his horn at me to advertise that he's available.
hey – if I wanted to ride a taxi my arm would be out, stupid!
Lagi!
Hi Alan Mark – Ha ha.. taxi drivers get the wrath of people all over the world! 😯
On # 40,
Bob, that just reminds me when I first came here in the US. After the first few months of my stay here, a Puerto Rican friend asked me if I was already having dreams in English. I said what… then, he explained to me that when it happens, that means my "thoughts" are already in English and not my native language.
This is our 3rd year of hosting foreign exchange students, and I asked the students the same thing. First month or two, their dreams were still in their native language. But after, few more months, since speaking English becomes easier for them, then, they started having dreams in English.
So, I think, what's happening to you is quite similar to this.
Hi Lea – Yes, I think you are correct. I even have words running through my mind that I don't even know yet. Probably words that I have heard others speak, but they just come to me subconsciously. It's a strange phenomenon, but very true!
Bob, the same thing has happened to me, first in Spanish, then in Cebuano. I would lie in bed, and 'hear' Cebuano sounds and words, some of which I didn't even know the meaning of. For me, it means I am getting an 'ear' for the language–it is getting inside my brain below the level of memorizing and rote learning. Sometime still, a Cebuano word will pop up in my mind and be there until I find out what it means! A good thing! Means the works have not rusted up after all! 🙂
Hi AmericanLola – Thanks for reaffirming my gut feeling on this. It's kind of a cool process!
Do enjoy life a LOT more here if you learn the language.
Kevin
Missionary in Manila, Philippines
Hi Kuya Kevin – Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment! Nice to see new faces! I have lived both sides of the coin (well, only still learning the language, not fluent yet), and knowing even just a bit of the language is much nicer than none at all! 😆
Hi Bob,
You are correct, even just a little is so helpful, and the Filipinos greatly appreciate it. They are very forgiving with our grammatical an pronunciation errors, which I still make at times.
Keep practicing and stay stubborn. Language learning is a difficult process but it's worth it!
I Kuya Kevin – I agree wholeheartedly!
Little update on the horns … can't resist, the devil made me do it 😉
yesterday I drove more thna 400 kilometers, from northern Metero manila to San marcellino, AZambales and back. About 3 hours easch way.
I paid particular attention to horns, becuase I recalled the sort of furor here about them a few days back.
With a possibility of error of less than two, I heard a horn, in all that 6 hours of driving, 14 times … and 6 times were my own. I "tooted" 4 pedestrians I felt were too close for safety, once at a recalcitrant tricycle driiving down the middle of the National Road and one "peep peep" as we drove away from my wife's uncles's house.
All of the other times were traffic related, mainly people who were passing (overtaking) me … I do my share of ovetaking, I'm not a "pokey" driver, but I'm perhaps a little less "advertureous" than some 😉
All in all a pretty quiet and uneventful day … apparently this is a much bigger issue down there in Mindanao … cultural difference perhaps?
Hi Dave Starr – Ha ha… that experiment that you did is very scientific! We should submit your comment to the Philippine Journal of Horn Use! 😆 On the serious side, in my occasional travels to Luzon, I think that horn use up there is about the same as here in Mindanao.
Considering the amount of complaints that come out of the southland about horms I thouht maybe it was a bigger problem down that way or something. Always good for a comment or two though. I've made that drive up to Zambales quite a few times already, so you can tell I was bored … counting horn honks … as I have said about some others, some of us … including me … have _way_ too much time on our hands LoL
Hi Dave Starr – Honk Honk!
On the whole horn issue.. I mostly enjoy riding the Trikes but use taxis when crossing more than five miles or going from Mactan to Cebu. My observation of their use of the horn seems warranted and useful. They don’t hit the horn randomly.. it’s to alert the other person that either they are coming up behind them.. or intend to cut in front of oncoming traffic or change lanes. It’s like a “heads-up” so everyone’s on the same page.
I don’t relate it at all to aggressive or angry driving.. it’s actually a safer way to keep traffic moving without having to ‘guess’ what the other driver is about to do. So, personally, I don’t mind the honking at all.
Yep, that is exactly correct, Henry. It is sure used differently here than back in the States!
the level of hatred of corey for this country and its inhabitant is astonishing. everytime i read his comments, all i see are nothing but pure hatred for country.
Interesting article Bob and interesting comments. I’m going to assume that while it is an old article it’s acceptable to still comment. To me to me it is a very pertinent subject. I’m still living in the US but will be relocating to Pangasinan in about 4 years. I agree with comments about feeling like an outsider because of my language barrier. On our last visit we were there for Pasko, New Years and a Christening and I really felt strange not being able to converse with all of the family, I was a part of it all but couldn’t really participate. So I’m trying to learn Tagalog, not easy but in my mind essential.
On the horn subject, on my first visit I thought wow these drivers love their horns! On our second visit while riding around with one of the Uncles who is an excellent driver, and happens to be a policeman with (as he calls it ) a police pursuit vehicle. I started to notice how all the horns honking is a sort of language all it’s own. I don’t think I ever heard someone honking in an attempt to “blast” someone off the road it was more, look to your right, passing on the left, passing on the right, go ahead merge. It’s interesting to me, because here in the States I’ve slowed down and beeped my horn to let a driver pull in front of me and actually had the driver flip me off and accelerate quickly in front of me. Oh well, I guess he didn’t speak Filipino either!
Good subject Bob,
now it’s time for me to read about a meatier issue, haha!
Hi SteveC – Leaving a comment is always a good thing, whether the article is old or new, so thanks for doing that!
You are absolutely correct when you say that learning the language is essential. It will make for a better life for you in the Philippines, or so I have experienced.
Bob,
I am not much into the habit of honking which I now regret. A year ago as i was driving in Roman highway in Bataan, I noticed a Hyundai Starex stopped at an intersection. I assumed that the driver already saw me coming, so i did not slow down. The starex suddenly crossed the road, it was already to late for me to completely stop and i crashed into the starex. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt except for the vehicles of course. Now I use the horn more often especially at intersections.