One thing I used to really hate about living in the Philippines was the constant yelling at me of the infamous words shouted to any foreigner here…
Hey, Joe!
Yes, honestly, I bristled every time I heard this being yelled at me, which meant that 3 or 4 times every day I felt uncomfortable. You see, there are a lot of Filipinos who will use this to address any person who is a foreigner.
The origin of this was back in the World War 2, when US forces were in the Philippines, and were known as “GI Joe.” Now, it doesn’t matter what country you are from, if you are not Filipino, you are “Joe,” it’s automatic.
A lot of times, when you hear “Hey, Joe” being yelled at you, it feels sarcastic, said with a bit of contempt toward you. At other times, it is said with genuine affection. Many Filipinos love Americans (actually, I’d say that most do), and calling out “Hey Joe” is a term of endearment, no matter how it feels to you.
Well, as I said, whenever I would hear this, for many years, it bothered me. I didn’t like it. I am not Joe, and with the fact that sometimes it felt like a sarcastic way to address me, well, I felt uncomfortable and often ignored it.
Do you know how I got over it? I decided to start using the term myself! I say it as more of a joke, really. It all started when one day, a friend and I were driving down the street, and we saw a foreigner walking down the sidewalk. I was feeling kind of silly at the time, and I rolled down my window and yelled out at the guy, “Hey, Joe!” The guy looked over at me, and you could see the absolute shock on his face that another foreigner had yelled “Hey, Joe” to him! My friend and I broke out laughing, and even this other foreigner walking along the sidewalk was seen with a big grin on his face too!
So, now, not always, but fairly often, if I see a foreigner that I don’t know, I will give him a greeting of Hey, Joe” and it kind of breaks the ice. I think that so many of these foreigners hate being called “Joe” all the time that when another foreigner calls them by the name, it kind of jolts them a bit, and they see the humor in it. I know that it gives me a bit of a kick, and it also softens my feelings when Filipinos yell out to me….
Hey Joe!
Really great story, Bob! 🙂
Thank you mia, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😆
I ignore it. Just another in a very long line of silly things I hear in this country directed at foreigners. “Hey Joe” is harmless but is a reflection of a truly bigger problem here. I truly love the Philippines and will happily spend the rest of my years here but I have to say that of the 50 plus countries I have visited and spent time in my life this one surely seems to have some of the most uneducated or perhaps the word should be ignorant people I have ever met. Perhaps a lack of common sense is appropiate as well. I was just reading about the lack of primary and secondary school education in the Autonomous Region of Mindanao. Apparently all those billions annually GMA gave to the Ampatuans never trickled down to the people and poverty runs rampant there. Perhaps this is a plight suffered by the entire country. Yet many friends suggest the educational system is good here. I just don’t know. I know my daughter will be going to private school for sure. All I know Bob is that it is very hard to have conversations with people here when utter stupidity flows from thier mouths at every turn. Hey I’m no rocket scientist either but I know stupid when I see it. How do you view this
Hi richard – How do I view it? Well… I think maybe you are taking things a bit too seriously. Actually, I used to feel a lot like you. I didn’t like the “Hey Joe” thing – I thought it was stupid and belittling. But, hey, you and I will never change it, so the best thing to do is look at the humorous side of it and live life as happily as you can. That’s what I try to do, and it generally works for me.
I appreciate you Bob as you represent the patience I have yet to master here. I appreciate the words of wisdom you dole out through your Blog as well as from some of your other contributors. For over 5 years the Philippines has been a Classroom of sorts for me. Unfortunately, I can be quite condescending to those I feel are beneath me intellectually which to a great extent are most all Filipino I meet here. As soon as they open their mouth I roll my eyes. Even with my own wife LOL I know it is just a lack of education or ignorance of the rest of the world and not really their fault. As for me I get better at dealing with it everyday so if I don’t get shot or killed, I think I am on my way to living life much as you do here.
Hi Richard – It takes time. Much of what you say is how I felt for a number of years after moving here. In my case, it took a conscience decision to change my thinking, and a real effort to get it done. You can do it too!
I can see why Richard feels this way. Though not to the degree Richard feels, I do not like to be greeted with “Hey Joe”. I can accept it when small children say it, but from grown-ups it sounds as you say, sarcastic and with contempt. Usually older men will only say it when in a group, and will continue until they get attention. There is no sincerity in that.
I have come to ignore most such greetings, as I feel it is quite rude actually. I wouldn’t even think of greeting a Filipino with “Hey Dong”, so why they feel greeting me with “Hey Joe” is acceptable is beyond me.
There have been many times also when the pronunciation of “Joe” has been turned into “Jude” and “Jew”, and I can hear the sarcasm in the tone.
I applaud your way of dealing with it, but for me and probably a few more, we find it a bit insulting and insincere. But it is something that won’t ruin my stay in the Philippines, as it is just a very small annoyance, and easily ignored.
Hi Lloyd – I understand how it can make you feel bad. I used to feel that way too. But, as it happened every day for years and years, I finally decided to just get over it. It still is not one of my favorite things, but I just have to deal with it and accept it. If I don’t, it will make me feel bad.
Hello Lloyd,
I can assure you there’s no sarcasm there. I have not heard in my presence someone yell that, let alone deliver it myself. But I can assure you that there was no sarcasm there. Sarcasm needs a bit of thinking effort. I can venture that maybe if you are addressed directly as “hey joe, what do you want..where are you going or something..maybe that’s delivered with condescension but even that, these people are not aware that they did a wonderful job in giving you that. My point is “Hey Joe” is ignorant and reflects the stupidity of the person. Let’s not give them any more credit that they are being sarcastic. They are just stupid, pointing out to the rest of his sorry group that he saw the white guy first and now he likes to revel at his bragging rights.
People who use “hey joe” have nothing really against with Americans. READ: all white men are americans to them. Because if they do, it means that they are politicized enough (they have big ideas about US Imperialism, McDonaldization hahaha and what have you) and therefor too sophisticated to hear it in his presence, let alone say it.
Richard,
Stupid, uneducated, ignorant and intellectually beneath you? Dang homie and you have to wonder why people treat you as you seem to say they do? I for one find that your comment sounds quite elitist and lets face it if you where all that you’d not be in Philippines trying to live on the cheap as very seldom do people go anyplace if all is gravy at home. Anyway homie I think if you quit getting all uppity and just enjoy the dollar , which is all that allows you to live in Philippines, you’d quit getting it twisted and enjoy life more.
Mike
I’m sure you’ll agree, Mike:
“Those who think they know it all are particularly bothersome to those of us that do.”
😆 😆 😆
Ah, you know about that too, Paul! Small world! 😉
HI Mike. Well I think you jump to many conclusions. First off I do not show my disdain publicly so as to embarass anyone. An eyeroll is completely benign. I also don’t lose my temper except in extreme circumstances. I should also suggest that most of these comments are toward the provincial folk and not necessarily to those in a place like Manila which has a large group of educated and traveled Filipino that represent a different demographic than those in the province. I guess it is classic example of rich and poor and the poor oftentimes representing the completely ignorant, uneducated and many times completely stupid demographic to no fault of their own. I however wish to surround myself with Filipinos and foreigners whose company I can enjoy and have meaningful and entertaining conversation with. You make the choice that is correct for you. Am I a snob. I don’t think so. No more than I would want to associate with white trash in the states. I try and get along with everyon but I definetely have an opinion as to who I decide to be with in a friendship capacity. Peace!
Richard,
Dang homie you must think your Bill Gates on moneyroids. I mean you are now blatantly saying that you equate common sense and intelligence to socio economic status. You need to quit getting it twisted and realize that our friends in the provinces are far from dumb, I mean they are geniuses at surviving in a environment and overcome obstacles which would leave most RICH Americans could ill imagine. Anyway homie I’m glad your ballin out of control and have enough money to buy intelligence but based on your comments I can safely say your an elitist and will be treated with disdain until your attitude changes. I mean granted you say you do not show your disdain to the provincial locals in public but homie I’m sure the vibes shine through. Anyway, If the Manila people are far superior, move there so you’ll not be forced to deal with poor provincial locals , most of whom are from socio economic classes which render them beneath you on a intellectual level. On the real though allot can be said about education obtained in the streets from the school of hard knocks as that classroom has ways of teaching people things that no school can.
OK, Mike… let’s try to keep the discussion civil. I understand your point about what Richard is saying, but I will also say that I know many expats who go through these kinds of feelings when they come here, and I have gone through it myself. I’ve written about it too. So, you have said your side, let’s give Richard a bit of a break now, OK?
Bob,
That’s understandable. I just wonder why that homie keeps going into the province since he sees most the provincial populace as idiots whos economic status renders them intellectually beneath him. I certainly don’t have Bill Gates money but I do posses sense enough to not go into a area knowing its inhabited by people I do not wish to socialize with. I mean why subject yourself to such if no reward for the aggravation?
I for one love these foreigners who talk like big shots and try to act wealthy while forgetting that 99% of them migrated not because they where big ballers on the home front but because they wanted/needed to live cheaply. I mean if person was truly wealthy not many would migrate to Philippines as Philippines is a nation that offers cheap living as a primary attraction. That said instead of degraded the populace why cant they overlook the small drama and be thankful for the opportunities that the nation has openly awarded them. If being called Joe is worse thing that ever happens to a person that person is certainly living a charmed life.
Mike
Hi Mike – I think that what happens, at least this is what happened in my case, is that you come here and the people here treat your special. You are looked up to, treated like you are very wealthy (whether you are or not), the girls follow you and offer themselves to you, all of the sudden you are like a rock star or an NBA player. Pretty soon, you start believing all of that BS. It takes living here a bit longer before you come back down to earth and realize that you are just “Bob” or “Mike” and not Magic Johnson.
Let me just say, I am not talking about richard…. I am pretty much talking about myself, but also other foreigners that I have seen go through the same things when they moved here.
Wow that’s a lot to digest. I’m only going by experience. I have been here 5 years and coming here for over 30. I know both rich and poor and the fact is in my experience here, the rich are more cultured, educated, worldly, sophisticated and in my mind more interesting for me to have a discussion with. Nothing against poor people it’s just in all my time here I haven’t found any poor folk to be that engaging. Period. Perhaps your experience is different. Good for you and enjoy but please don’t paint me as anti poor or a snob as I am neither. Why you are beating up on me about something that is just a fact for me is pretty absurd. Being here another 20 years won’t change anything. I will continue judge people by who they are as people not by their economic status. As for why I live here it is for quality of life. LESS STRESS, a better life for my daughter, my wife, yaya, helper, driver, golf, diving, tennis, the gym, san mig, beachfront property. Alas I am not here for life on the cheap even though that is a nice benefit to be able to build a 350sqm house for a couple hundred instead of half a million. Anyway, I am far from the individual you paint me to be “homie” Hope we can put this to rest now. Thanks and best of success to you.
Hi richard – I think that no matter where in the world you go it will be true that people with more money are more cultured, educated, worldly, etc. That’s just common sense. I’ll tell you what though, I have had some pretty interesting discussions with poor people too, and learned some things that I did not know from them.
What you say is 100% true on all counts. Personally, I have not had any success having any worthwhile conversations with poor uneducated Filipinos and this is over 30 years not just the 5 I live here for. Coversations generally come down to 100 questions starting with “From what country are you” and going on from there. I don’t really know what the big deal is my possibly having money or being attracted to people with money, well educated or cultured. My wife and I have supported and continue to support financially many people less fortunate than us through education, medical, food and so forth. We emply several POOR people as well. Does that mean I have to socialize or have them as friends. And why should I have to apologize for hanging out with people on the other extreme. It bothers me that everyone has a conscience when it comes to poor people yet very few do anything BUT TALK about it. I don’t tell people who to have friends with and they shouldn’t dictate to me. Call me elitist, capitalist, whatever. I will do what makes me and my family happy and no one gets hurt in the process. People come here for different reasons.
Hi richard – I don’t know for sure if you can speak the local language or not – Tagalog or Bisaya – but I find that you can have some pretty interesting conversations with poor people if you can speak their language. If you are waiting for them to speak English to you… well, you certainly won’t get into many interesting conversations then. That’s my experience anyway.
Richard,
Homie you done got it twisted. I got all that stuff you named but in America, in fact I have a good bit more than 350sm of floor area, but I dont go around getting all elitest over it.
Moving to PI to give daughter a bit life is silly homie as western world has for superior schools, schools that actually teach children to think rather than simply memorize in robotic fashion as. In fact a great deal of colleges there have such low passing rates that they couldnt even remain open in America as would lose their federal stuff. Then after going to that inferior school your daughter has the bright future of maybe landing a job that pays peanuts, either that or going back to America to obtain employment. But back to what homie except a foreign nation and foreign culture which differs greatly from whgere she was raised. Well she may marry a wealthy pinoy who in all probability will keep 3-8 kabits on the side.
Comparing house prices is apples and oranges homie as house you pay 500,000 for in America has amenitys you sure aint getting for few hundred in Philippines. In fact not only would you not get it at that price but to duplicate a suitable American house there would cost a great deal more than same house in America.
I will not even go into demolishing the rest of your nonsensical post as know point as youve already painted yourself to be a elitest. But oh wait, You been there an entire 5 years, You funny homie.
Richard,
Im done discussing anything with you as you in your own words have shown yourself to be quite elitest and I have already pointed out why. Sorry homie but anyone who reads your postings will come to the same conclusion.
Anyway, I hope you have a nice day and try to have sense enough to avoid those poor people whose socio economic class places them far beneath your superior intellectual level.
No more from me as your now ignored as to be frankly honest you by your own words have shown your beneath me and sense Im a bit more intellegent than you I have sense enough not to hold discussions with people that I do not like.
In closing, I wish you and your family the best of luck in life.
Hi Mike:
I applaud you! You got this right. In my opinion, Richard is married to a “promdi”, and so is here entire family. But, why would a man who thinks highly of himself is married to someone from the province, and surrounds himself with provincial people? The answer: he is unappealing to educated and elite filipino ladies. His only choice is to settle for something less.
Mike
Baiting me into an argument. Not worth it as you are so far off base and just trying to pick a fight for the fun of it. Not worth it and in closing: You know absolutely nothing about me and every single one of your arguments, assumptions about me could’nt be farther from the truth and have nothing to do with my circumstances.
Hi Bob;
Hey Joe!! Bob that’s funny calling it out to a foreigner (wish I thought of it first). I know it would cause me to grin also. I sit on my wall out front and drink coffee, and watch the kids going to school most mornings, I started saying Hey Joe to all the kids and they would laugh and Hey Joe me right back. If an adult said Hey Joe, I just ask, “How do you know my name?” When I smile at them, they get the joke and walk away smiling also. If a foreigner gets upset over something as trivial as that, they’re in for some sad times living here. “Hey Joe, what do you think?”
Hi Paul – Ha ha… yeah, I am surprised that you didn’t think of doing that first! You have a good handle on being funny! 😆 I really do get a bit of enjoyment at seeing the faces of foreigners when I yell out “Hey Joe” to them, it kind of lightens up my day to see the reaction it gets! I think it does the same for them too! 😉
“If a foreigner gets upset over something as trivial as that, they’re in for some sad times living here. “
So True, Paul.
When I get to the Phil, I would go to touristy places that I’ve never been to or I would just simply raise my awareness as to how prevalent this Hey Joe thing. I want to see what kind of a Filipino would upon mere sight of a white man would scream ‘Hey Joe”. I would think that since the south is more of a tourist destination, they should be used by now to the vision of white men. Or they should not assume that everyone is American. I am convinced that this people who still insist of doing that still believe that the world is flat.
Just a thought, why always white men, how about white women? How are they yelled at?
Hi roy – I’m curious… when you say “the south is more of a tourist destination…” What do you mean when you say “south”? Southern Luzon? Visayas? Mindanao? Certainly Mindanao is not much of a tourist destination, most people are scared to death to come here! 😯
Hello Bob, Southern Phil as opposed to the north. The South is the whole of Visayas, the island of Palawan and up to some areas of Mindanao, like DVO city, CDO & Camiguin. Coming from Luzon, I was impressed at how people in the south have a greater sense of awareness in how to cater to tourists and let’s face there are more facilities and tourist down there. There are more inter-marriages. If you think the sorry state of tourism down there, think how zero it is in the north. Sorry Mng Paul and John M.
This is not to say that the south is prettier in the north. (A road trip to Ilocos is by far the most picturesque road trip that one can do in the Phil) But you have to give it to the south for having the lion’s share of int’l tourists.
Hi roy – OK, thanks for clarifying. I was a bit confused, because I think this is the first time in my 20 years of visiting Mindanao that I can ever recall anybody seriously mentioning Mindanao as a tourist destination! Ha ha.. You are right that usually anything south of Luzon is considered at “the south.” Personally, I disagree with that, although I acknowledge that I am in the minority on that. I personally would call Luzon as the north, the Visayas as the Central Philippines, and Mindanao as the South.
Hahah Bob, in my first reply I had a bit of a-ha moment. I thought there’s a good reason why visayan should be the national language. It occurred to me that people in the Visayan and most from Mindanao speak visayan. We or most northerners lump Visayans & people from Mindanao of one linguistic & ethnic group. Come to think of they are. Ilonngos in Gen San are migrants. Mindanao was mostly migration destination of the neighboring Visayas.
Hi Roy – Did you know that there are a lot more people in the Philippines who speak Bisaya as their first language than Tagalog? It’s true, about 7 million more! Amazing, huh?
But, remember, Visayan people and Mindanaoans are different. The true Mindanaoans are the Lumads and the Muslims, but those who settled here, mostly starting in the 1930’s are considered Mindanaoans now too. I consider myself Mindanaoan too.
Always kinda chuckled at myself when I get the “Hey Joe” call. I figure if they are even willing to acknowledge me, a total stranger, then they must be alright with me. What I have noticed is if you smile and as I also do call them “Joe” back it usually brings a grin to both of us, which in any langauge kinda breaks the ‘ice’ if you wish for further conversation. Kinda like your calling another expat ‘Joe’ … I think you may have started a trend again “Joe” !!
Hi brian – ha ha… most expats and foreigner tourists that I meet hate being called Joe, and they often tell me so. I used to hate it myself… it is something that you pretty much hear daily if you live here, and it can get tiring. That’s why I like to turn it around and make a little fun and laughter with it.
Hi Bob,
Really it doesn’t bother me to be called Joe, though I don’t hear it much in Tagum city. Mostly it will be young children that just want to say hi. I was called Lolo by a young child in the mall. Mostly I hear Hey Joe in the province. They seem shocked when my son and me ride our motorcycles by them. I guess there are not too many Kanos riding motorcycles in the Philippines, but I love it. Just not in Davao. Too much traffic there.
Hi Richard – Ha ha… I’m surprised you don’t hear this often in Tagum! I hear it every day in Davao, and feel it is so common.
I have to agree with you about riding your motorcycle here in Davao… too much traffic! Better to keep safe! 😆
HAHA Richard, I don’t know where you been but i get that moniker everyday 10X + a day, i simply respond, hoy Juan !
Hi Tommy – I’m with you… I find it a regular thing!
Hi Tommy,
I thought they knew your name now. Maybe I am just driving too fast to hear it. I do hear it maybe 3 or 4 times a week, but most of the places I go they just smile as they have seen me so many times already. Where are you located? I could come by some time and talk. I think My sister in law goes to school with your wife.
hey richard slow down ! yea sure come by we’re about 1/4 mile from NCCC text me 09273647398
As much as I try to remember, I can not remember ever getting the ” Hey Joe ” routine during my visits there. The same with getting stared at by the locals although I remember a few occasions of being stared at, there were so many other things that got my visual attention I paid little or no attention. Maybe the ” Hey Joe ” thing is something to look forward to on a future visit ? After reading so much about it here on LIP I think the only reaction I would have to it would be a good laugh ! Could be also that after reading so much about it here maybe I have already developed a ” Hey Joe ” filter in my hearing. I just can not remember ever hearing it during my visits.
Hi Bob – Ha ha… I can’t imagine you didn’t get it? Perhaps, as you say, you filtered it out. I know that I get it every day.
Bob, I will ask some of my friends in Iligan and CDO if they can remember hearing me get the ” Hey Joe ” routine. I still just can not remember getting it and yes, during my visits I do go to many non-tourist places. Tell you what though, In the future if I ever do get it which sooner or later will happen, I think I will have to try to contain myself, not from being irritated but from breaking out into an uncontrollable laughter !
Your comment about riding down the street in your vehicle and yelling out ” Hey Joe ” to a fellow caucasion had me hysterical in laughter when I read it, and I am still laughing. If I ever hear ” Hey Joe ” when I am there in the future I am going to have to look at where the voice came from as it could be Bob Martin in his SUV !
In reading so much about this ” Hey Joe ” routine it is giving me a thought. I wonder if anyone has used ” Hey Joe ” as a brand name ? If it is such a popular expression there in the Philippines, I wonder if something like an affordable pair of fashion jeans with the name brand and a logo ” Hey Joe ” hit the marketplace maybe it would become a big hit !
Basketball is a popular sport there I believe, what about some decent quality basketball sneakers branded ” Hey Joe “. Imagine a full page ( or screen ) color add with a basketball player making the final hoop and winning the basketball tournament. Spotlight on the atheletes footwear showing a pair of ” Hey Joe ” quality sport sneakers. Caption for the pic something like this ” Steal the show when you wear Hey Joe ” .
If something like that ever happened it would make the expression ” Hey Joe ” so commonplace after a while it would take on an entirely different meaning.
Hi Bob – I’m glad I could give you a laugh during your day!
There is somebody who has a book about living in the Philippines, and the title is “Hey Joe”. I also know of a newspaper column under that title.
Hi Joe, er Bob – Only have one person here that calls me “Joe”: a very old, white-haired Lola who uses the term most affectionately and admits she cannot remember much of anything these days, let alone names. We chatted & agreed that we’re both comfortable with it.
Otherwise, I get “Hey Man!” quite a bit; mostly from school kids. I think their teachers may have told them that, now there is a foreigner living here, they shouldn’t call out “Hey Joe.” Most of these kids now know me as “Tito Paul” (most are extended family members).
Once had a group of women harvesting garlic call out, “Hey Man, come help us with garlic.” To their surprise, I did. Spent an hour helping them finish up their plot. Good fun, good exercise, free garlic: what more could one want? 😆
Hi Paul – I’ve gotten where I don’t really mind it so much. From somebody like an old lady, I would not mind it at all. When it’s a bunch of drunk men and they are obviously playing with me… well, it is annoying…
I never was really bothered by it. Makes me feel as if I have attention on me that I didn’t have back in the USA. The only problem I had , though, was that I didn’t know what to say back. Knowing silence comes off snobby, I feel uncomfortable to come off as arrogant/think-im-better/snob kinda person.
I’ve been tempted to say “Hey Joe” to a foreigner. I’m kinda shy to do it though. But when me and April rode a trike, I shouted it back to a Filipino. Then me and the guards at the dorm would joke about “Hey Joe!” and “Gimme a piso, one piso”… oh yeah, and “mumu!”
By the way Bob, where do you hear “Hey Joe” most often?
I hear it mostly in the backstreets area. The curiosity seems as high as the kids in the outer-city.
I asked some my Filipino friends my age who seem not the type to say “Hey Joe”. One said “They say that? They must be the more uncivilized”. I think he means this by class. I noticed more lower-class has a curious tendency, but others seem used to it all. I remember a Filipino telling me about when I go to school, some will pretend to be used to foreigners. It seems as if curiousity is a quality they want to avoid as if it is a lower-class. Of course though, I am talking about the fact of economic class. And, like even in USA, I guess people wanna be on top and not associate with lower. I remember also two girls and a guy around my age, school kids, walking. They kinda turn to me, giggle, turn back and whisper. The boy then ye;;ed “Hey Joe!” and they walked faster away laughing. Its as if they did it as a joke because they, in their own life, wouldn’t say it. So I wonder if it is said by class. I know some Filipinos who I told about it were surprised people still say it.
Hello Jawz, I am for the life of me wondering why it persist–if it does happen a lot–when clearly the war vets of WW 11 are really few and I don’t t think have not made any impressions to the youth of today. As I’m from Manila, but I have travelled fairly from north to south, I really do not recall hearing someone yell “joe”. But I know the story abt it. But seeing a white man and then holler white joe is the height of stupidity. Unless that person has the mentality of nitwit trying to shown off, that person clearly has no pride of himself for being overwhelmed by the sight of a white man.
Ok, jaw, the appropriate response is say something cool in their vernacular. If they are tagalogs, say “mukhang ang saya-saya nyo” (looks like ur having fun. If they are talking to you & keep saying Joe, introduce urself instead.
Hi Roy – It persists… to the point of getting tired of hearing it! If I go out around town, I probably hear it at least 4 or 5 times per day, sometimes twice as much. Of course it depends on where you go.. I don’t hear it at the Marco Polo hotel, for example! 😯
Hi Jawz – I hear it every day, if I go out somewhere. In stores, in back streets, on main streets too. But, you are probably right, mostly in the more back-street type places where not so many foreigners venture.
Hi Jawz – You can just say “Hi” or “kumusta” something like that. Or, say “maayong adlaw” (good day). Keep a smile!
perhaps it is better to recognize ones different than ourselves rather than totally ignore them. that happens alot in our country.
Hi Bob, of the few things that bug me in the Phils… “hey Joe” is the least of them…I usually reply with “ok Phil”… I don’t think that they get it :)… now if you really want to talk about annoying things…. start with Manila taxi drivers….grrr !!!!
Hi gerry – oh… taxi drivers… don’t get me started! 😯
Hi Bob- As a Brit well Scots actually the term “Hey Joe” is particularlly offensive not being an American or even the word Kano.
And in the early days of travelling to the Philippines I spent most of my time explaining to people that I was from Scotland not America.
Needless to say I was wasting my time,however now in my town I don’t hear the expression Hey Joe ver much.When I walk the dog in the morning I simply get Maayong Buntag or Good Morning and my close neighbours add Jim to the greeting.In anycase if I do get Hey Joe its from a stranger and I just ignore the person anyway.Of course I don’t live in a big city so maybe thats why I don’t hear the expression often.
Regards.
Jim in the Bukid.
Hi Jim – Ha ha… I personally would not be offended if somebody called me a Scot, but I suppose that you are probably called a Kano enough that it can get a bit old.
Hi Bob
I guess it is were you are. I didn’t get much “Hey Joe”. I got a little bit in IBA, but in San Narsico,mostly “Hi”. After about ten days it was “Hi uncle” from the kids and “Hi cousin” from the adults.
I didn’t find “Hey Joe” insulting. I have to try and enforce the safety rules here at the plant and get called a lot worse.
So a stranger yells hello. Why get insulted? Is it better in North America, were people don’t even say hello to their neighbors? Just grin and wave. If they stopped and talked to me they got ” HI. My name is Al. I’m from Canada”. I generally got “Oh. I have a cousin in Canada!” and off we go. Questions back and forth and I have met someone new.
I think sometimes people are too thin skinned. Go with the flow. If you want it the same as “home”, stay “home”. Differences make the experience.
Hi Allan – I don’t find “Hey Joe” to be insulting in most cases, it is pure friendship, and curiosity. BTW, just to clarify, I have never been called “Hey Joe” by family members, though.
hey joe!
Hoy Macky!!!
Nice article Bob,
I spent a majority of my visits in Leyte and on my last visit I heard ”Hey Joe” just 1 time. Since Leyte has a rich history with World War II and General Douglas MacArthur, I was expecting to hear “Hey Joe” a lot. I wonder about this after I returned home in December. When I am around Juramie home in Tagbubunga, Juramie friends and family view me as a friend. I am definitely “Jack” and not another “Joe”. There is a mutual respect and I am in awe that they will take me in and have me participate in their daily life. Anyway, Juramie prefers to hear another famous quote from General MacArthur which is “I shall return.”
Hi Jack – For myself, I will never return… to the US. 😆
I am leaving soon cz of all the crap i am having to deal with here
hi bob,
I think the “hey joe” is more prevalent in provinces, I grew up in mandaluyong city and have met many western people, I have never heard the “hey joe” thing to greet them, maybe because the people in manila are used to seeing a westerner?
btw, from where i am now, the americans here usually call the filipino as TCN’s (third country nationals), so i guess the “hey joe” is better than TCN?? 🙂
Hi dans – TCN? I never heard of such a thing before!
bob, most of americans here are ex-military, and i can only guess the TCN is just one of their acronym and they often use it here everyday.
Hello Dan, that’s a new thing for me also. TCN. Who is FCN (first country national) and SCN (second?
hi roy,
TCN is not usually heard in the states, it is very common to hear it in places like middle east, etc… as a matter of fact that acronym is actually listed in a dictionary’s collection of acronyms.
British don’t use it a lot, however, americans seems to use it more often than any other western people. As i said, it is probably an acronym rooted from the u.s. military to call anyone who is not from the “first World”. come to think of it, the term itself is not really that bad, but the negative connotation of it is.
I think the “hey joe” is somewhat similar to “chink” used in the states to call anyone of asian origin.
When I first arrived in Davao in the early 1990s, the “Hey Joe!” really bugged me. When my wife explained to me what the historical significance was, I began to learn my first phrase in Bisayan; “Dili ako americano, ako ay Canadiano!” LOL What a waste of time it was learning that phrase! Then, the owner of a local strip bar, who came from the U.K., showed me his way of dealing with the shout-out by responding, “Hey, Fred!” Well, that was a waste of time, as well. As has been mentioned, previously, it did not bother me when the children used this greeting, as they were simply mimicking the adults. I think that it is genius for you to use this phrase when hailing another foreigner, Bob, as it touches on common ground. I look forward to hearing you yell that at me, someday, and will, no doubt, respond in similar fashion. When I return, though there will be times when I am tired of the phrase, most times, I will wave & smile, as it is really just one of those things that makes The RP unique. In fact, the only term that I have fought to educate people on is when they use the “N” word for African Americans. In every case, the offender has appreciated my correction and I never hear it used by him/her again. Heck, I still use terms like “Yank” and “Aussie” and have never meant any harm by it. I’ve been referred to as “The Canuck” by some of my American friends & feel no insult. So, Kano, or Hey Joe, are phrases I can live with &, when they start to bother me, I’ll just have to grow a “thicker skin”. Being of Scottish ancestry, that’s an easy enough thing to do; centuries of practice, when the wind blows up your kilt!
Mike
Hi Mike – I understand your feelings (well, except for the feeling of a wind blowing up your kilt! 😯 ). It’s best to just accept it and deal with it rather than letting it get you upset. I’ve done both, and I prefer to just accept it!
This is getting confusing; Mike, Mike. Henceforth, I shall call myself Mike2, just to alleviate the confusion for others, as well as we 2 Mikes.
Bob,
I have never minded the Hey Joe being called out to me. I thought most did it in a friendly way when I was there. I never put more thought into it than that. I just respond back with a smile and would say Kumasta ka na! Problem is I do not know much more tagalog than that.:)
When in the province I am called Tito alot. I never knew I had so many neices and nephews!
The TCN deal is one heard outside of the Philippines to refer to the workers in other countries. It is very prevelant here in Kuwait. I hate that the term is used here so often. It is like people are looking down on these guys (no matter what the nationality).
Hi Steve – I have gone through the stage of getting upset about the Hey Joe thing, but am thankful that I am already past that!
hey joe is not meant as a term of endearment
Hi Bob- I would like to use the “hey Joe” greeting to a kano next time I’m in my wifes province, but I could drive around all day and not see one, so I guess I’ll have to be the only “Joe”
Hi Anthony – Ha ha… that does create a problem!
The “Hey Joe” thing never bothered me as it reminds me of a favorite song recorded by, among others, The Leaves, The Byrds, and Jimi Hendrix. I like Paul Thompson’s idea of playfully greeting Filipinos with a “Hey Joe” before they get a chance to do it to me. I’ll get to try it out this summer.
On my first trip to the Philippines, I walked across Mactan Island by myself from the resort to Senn’s family compound. A little boy with a big grin, walked up beside me, slapped me on the back, and said “Hey Joe, how about some cash?”
Hi Peter – Paul’s idea? Hey, that is what I wrote the article about, that I go around calling foreigners “Joe” myself! How can that be Paul’s idea when he is going to copy it from me??? 😯 Ha ha… 😆
Hi Bob: Since those folks who use the phrase ” hey Joe ” do not know your name, and would like to make a connection with you perhaps ” hey Joe ” is more agreeable than ” hey you ” or “hey whitey ” or ” hey Gringo “.
Ciao: Roberto
Hi Roberto – Perhaps so. Maybe it would be better for somebody who truly wants to make a connection to say “Good Morning, how are you?” or something like that?
Yes, say that instead of hey joe which i find very insulting
Peter,
The Leaves? Wow I still have that album buried somewhere. Are you from the Bay Area?
The historical significance of Hey Joe should make one proud to be recognized. Since it comes from WWII it is acknowledgement of liberation from the tyranny of the Japanese.
Another thought about the poverty is there is poverty, and uneducated people right here in America. You don’t have to go to the Philipppines to find that. Yes, there are more uneducated people, but it’s a poor country with the elite robbing from it’s populace. America is not all that far from the Phil’s heels. The middle class is disappearing here just as the middle class is so small there.
Richard,
Why don’t you tell us what you really think! I believe that was truly unfair, and uncalled for. In travelling the world as much as you have. I am sure you have heard the term THE UGLY AMERICAN. I wonder why that is?
I would believe the phrase HEY JOE is lot more harmless, and much more of being curious. It’s kind of like if a tall green alien started walking amongst us. How many blonde heads, green & blue eyes originate in the Phils. Your skin is much more fair, and you are different. So you be noticed
I would much rather hear HEY JOE than feel cunning eyes in my back with hatred in their hearts. You have come to a different culture on your own decision. Learn to live with the changes that come with the move, or move again, and move where you come from. Variety is the spice of life………i2f
” As soon as they open their mouth I roll my eyes. Even with my own wife”
Congratulations for marrying a wife that makes you roll your eyes whenever she speaks. I guess you really are wise and intellectual, yes?
IMHO it is annoying to hear “Hey Joe.” Those that aren’t annoyed haven’t reached nirvana–if they’re honest they’d say they’re just annoyed by different things now. I used to hear “Hey Joe” now and again when I lived in La Union. I now live in Cavite where there were no American bases so I never hear “Hey Joe” and I find that better. Most of the men or boys who yelled “Hey Joe” at me were “idiots” on a par with the rednecks/yahoos back in the US who would yell things at pedestrians from speeding cars–a sure sign of immaturity or poor upbringing. Who in their right mind would want their private reverie disturbed by some moron yelling something at him? Now am I elitest? Darn right I am and mighty proud to consider myself a cut above the rest–who doesn’t? I’m no martyr or saint or some working-class snob who looks down their nose at educated people.. And did I come here for cheaper prices? Right again and congratulating myself for my foresight. Also I came here to live peaceably and respectfully with my fellow human beings but that doesn’t mean I left all my values and worldview at the NAIA Terminal. I still like what I like and I don’t like people yelling at me (no matter what the reason) and I prefer to talk with
people who share a common background with me that I like to think is characterized by intelligence and a decent education (not mention the ability to write in correct English).
Are u nuts bob ??? Hey joe is not a form of respect…the filipino low life class does use it with a special meaning…and the meaning is not good this u should know as ur living long aldeady in the ph.
I’m not, but I have to ask you, do you know how to read? Apparently not! The word respect never appears anywhere in the article. Lighten up.
Finally I found this article, me myself is wondering why am I calling a foreigner joe, sorry guys if you feel bad about that, I’m not sure why we use that word, but there is one thing is for sure, we love you, we are not belittle you, sometimes filipino calls you joe when they are with their barkada (friends), they laugh because they knew that they cant reply a second word if you reply to them 🙂 we love to start a conversation with a foreigner, but we cant, because every time we speak in english, we pause for a while and starts building an english grammar in our mind, we cant speak well in english, but we are good when we write down our english, sorry if you misinterpreted that word joe, from now on, i will stop calling a foreigner JOE,