Filipino time is something that we have talked about extensively here in the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine, but I want to revisit it today. For any new visitors who don’t know what “Filipino Time” is, it is the very common practice of coming to everything late! In general, if a party is scheduled to start at 7pm, many Filipinos will come at 7:30, 8pm, even 9 or 10! In my experience, adjusting to Filipino time, or even just coming to accept it is one of the hardest things for an expat to adjust to when coming to live in the Philippines.
Recently, Rob dela Cruz, a new writer on the Philippine Voyager website wrote an article “In defense of Filipino Time.” For long time readers, Philippine Voyager is the site of former LiP Columnist Julius Bantigue. Many of Julius’ articles can still be found in our Guest Blog for interested readers. I found Rob’s article to be quite interesting, although I found myself disagreeing with much of it.
In his article, Rob, who is currently living in the USA for work, tells about a dinner he had with his officemates, and how punctual it was. The dinner was supposed to start at 6pm and run until 7:30. Rob showed up at 6:15 and it was already well underway. He found this unusual, and apparently it lead to an uneasy feeling in him, feeling pressure from the clock! Rob was particularly confused about the dinner ending on time and so very early! He went on to compare this to the way things are in the Philippines, where schedules are not really followed. Rob’s conclusion was that having such a schedule leads to a more stressful environment in the USA. He feels that back in the Philippines, people are more stress-free since they don’t have such a schedule. Rob even goes on to conclude that having no real schedule leads to better health and mental outlook for Filipinos.
Actually, I find this to be the opposite. When we throw a party, or agree to meet somebody for dinner, the timing of the thing can absolutely drive us crazy! I can assure you that my “mental outlook” doesn’t improve when I have agreed to meet somebody for dinner at 6pm and at 7:30 I am still waiting in the restaurant for them to show! Actually, not only does it stress me, I find myself feeling that the other person must feel that my time is not valuable. Honestly, I can think of better things to do than sitting around waiting for somebody who is an hour or more late. We have actually had incidents when people have been up to 3 hours late for a function. It just really grates on us when this happens.
Rob talks in his article about how having a schedule leads to so much stress. Interesting, I find that I get stressed out when waiting for people to show up! Feyma and I worry about “what time should we really be there?” In the comments on the article, people mention that such scheduling probably leads to suicide and such. I just don’t see it that way. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in the Philippines (if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have this site), but the whole issue of Filipino Time is one of the stressful things about living here that I think I could never fully adjust to.
I can only conclude that Rob, and other Filipinos who have grown up with Filipino Time are more comfortable with it for that precise reason – because that is what they grew up with! I am more comfortable with a more precise schedule because that is what I grew up with too. Some of Rob’s other conclusions are also a bit askew from what I feel. It is interesting to see the different thinking, and I believe it is simply based on our background.
How about you? Do you have any ideas about Filipino time? Any stories about how it has affected you or your plans at some time in the past?
The sense of no accountability drives me crazy !
Hi Brian – Same here! It really creates stress for me!
I am about 80 per cent OK with the time difference, but then I find myself explode! I think i bottle it up and one small event will get my total annoyance.
The thing is no one listens to me as Brian says there is no accountability.. i will try more to learn to relax lol
Hi John – Like you, I have gotten to the point where I accept Filipino Time a lot more readily than I used to. If it's just a meeting with a person or something, I am generally OK, as long as it is not too late. However, when it is an event like a party, a gathering of a lot of people or something like that, I am more picky, and looking for people to be on time. It's not an easy adjustment.
I feel very strongly about being on time. I think that it reflects a person's level of discipline. Having attended so many meetings in my life, I have not given up on trying to be on time even if I know that others will be late. I get sooo stressed out when i see that i am going to be late for a meeting or something. You are right Bob when you said that you are more comfortable with what you grew up with. I am blessed to have grown up with a family that does tolerate being late and to have worked with people who puts importance on being prompt. This topic was actually featured on a magazine show on GMA 7 last saturday and they showed both prompt and not so prompt filipinos.
Hi Cathy – Thanks for your input! I can see from your attitude and general demeanor (I know Cathy personally, by the way) that you are an "on-time" person. I know a lot of other Filipinos like that too. In many ways, I feel that "Filipino Time" is a dying thing, and in another 20 years it may not even exist any longer.
I missed the show on GMA about this! Would have been interesting to see!
I hate Filipino time! I like to be on time and I expect others to do the same. But I think some just dont care.
Hi Marilou – Wow! You really don't like it, I can tell that! Very interesting. Based on your name, I would guess that you are Filipino. Did you always feel this way about Filipino Time?
I hate Filipino time. I'm 33 years old, I grew up in the Philippines and lived there until I was 29 and Filipino time always gets me so irritated & stressed out. I always found those who show up late are rude and inconsiderate of others' time(or in particulary, mine) so I just made it a point not to put up with it. I don't have the patience to wait for anybody for longer than 15 minutes. so if they don't show up on time or anywhere before the first 15 mins, I just leave and leave a message to the other person that says I waited for 15 minutes. All my friends have been showing up on time for anything that I schedule since they know I won't put up with them being late.
As for large parties where a large number of people gather, I find that it's okay under certain circumstances. Anybody can show up anytime time they want after the scheduled start of the party, as long as they don't show up before the schedule start of the party. That's usually true for large gatherings that last 3-6 hours or longer. Even in USA, where I live now, there is such as thing as "fashionably late" for parties, which is no more than 1 hour for party that lasts 3-6 hours or longer.
I'm a good friend of Rob's and sorry Rob but I agree with Bob.
Filipino time sucks and to say that not being on a schedule is less stressful as an excuse for "filipino time" is just an excuse for it. not being on a schedule in general is good and is truly less stressful but only if it's just your own schedule that's at stake.
If others people's schedules are involved, i think it's rude and inconsiderate to be late.
Bob – I Could not agree with you more. As a VIRGO this Filipino time drives me insane. It's almost as bad as trying to get directions from someone. Most people don't have a clue about where anything is even if it is right next door to their work place. No wonder they are late.
Funny thing is when I lived in the states and had a doctor or dentist appointment I always showed up on time yet oftentimesI would have to wait upwards of 45 minutes for them. Well I then decided to start billing them for my time. I would write an invoice for my time using Quicken and mail it to them for the time I had to wait. Never got paid but it sure felt good and I usually got heart felt apologies from the docs the next time around as well as timely appointment times.
id like to think that this is about being free from schedules. i see no reason why i would get upset if people inform me that they are going to be late. and vice versa.
filipino time is a learned understanding that we cant forsee everything. and that most often than not. there is the heavy traffic, road constructions, traffic violators, last minute errands that we have to do, etc .. things that contribute to being late.
it is also the understanding that while waiting you are free to spend this time as you choose. for me id normally read a book or check out the books at bookstore.
I think that most of the Doctors here and Dentists are on Filipinio time.. 😆 ..so maybe when a person has a Doctors or Dentist appointment then they should just use Filipinio time and that way they should be just about right for the appointment when they get there 30 minutes or 1 hour late……
Maybe a person should do this…tell your Fillipino friends that your get together is going to start at …lets say….6.00pm at nite..but really it does not start untill 8pm…maybe some would be on time or close to it….on the serious side…I grew up and was told that being on time was important and so I have always felt that when some one shows up 1/2 hour late or later..that they do not have much respect for being on time or maybe other things also….I wonder how many people would get a good job if they were 2 hours late for the job interview….that does not work to good here in the States…
So…maybe it would be hard for me to adjust to Filipino time…. 😆
Hi Bob- Yes I am a filipino and i've always hated Filipino time. When I was young my parents always have our family over on weekends for dinner and they were always late.
Here in Alabama we host the family gatherings and my husband has a cousin that is always late and I let her know about it but it doesn't help.
I just think it's rude to be late.
My wife to be had to visit her doctor(this is in the Philippines) to pick up her x-ray. The doctor got called away for some surgery and she had to wait for him to come back . . . . she told me she waited 6 hours. When she told me that I was quite astounded . . . and then she still didn't get her x-ray because, from memory, they had a brown out. I still can't figure out why the receptionist or nurse couldn't/can't hand the x-ray over. Sure must test the patience.
Hi Sherry – Interesting that we are getting a number of Filipinos who seem to be animately anti-Filipino Time. I didn't realize that so many Filipinos had those feelings!
Hi Cris – Thanks for sharing your opinion on this. I have been thinking about my feelings on Filipino time, and I have come to one conclusion. One thing that makes it that I don't like Filipino time is that when people come so late, it ends up pushing the ending of the get together back to a much later time. If the meeting is at a different location, I can leave when I want, but when it is happening at my house, sometimes it is getting so late that I really want to go to bed, or maybe I have something else to do. I can't really tell the people that it's time for them to leave. If they had come at the appointed time, we could have enjoyed each other's company, and I wouldn't be wanting them to leave because I am getting tired! I guess I'm getting too old! 😆
Hi Corey – I honestly know nothing about astrology, so the Virgo thing leaves me in the dark, I don't know how to respond to that. Funny about sending bills to the people who keep you waiting!
Hi Max – My problem is not with people who inform me that they are running late, that is understandable. But, when a person and I decide to meet at 1pm, and they do not contact me, yet have not shown up by 3, it leaves me waiting for them. I never know when they will show up so I can't just go to a book store or whatever. It is very annoying to me when this happens. If the person texted me and said, "hey, I'm running an hour late, be there as soon as I can" then I can accept that, and have no problems.
Hi Dan – sounds like your values and opinions are pretty close to mine on this issue.
Hi Marilou – I agree, it is rude! I'd like to be a fly on the wall when you tell your husband's cousin about being late!
Hi Richard – Waiting for all kinds of things is just the way things work here. I have gotten to the point that since I don't like to wait, I just send an employee to take care of stuff whenever possible. It saves frustration!
Bob, I'm a big fan of your site, and religiously follow all your posts, as well as the latest adventures of John and Klaus. So it was a pleasant surprise to see that you read and mentioned my article.
My rationale for writing 'In Defense of Filipino Time' (as well as other future articles, so please stay tuned), is to give the alternative viewpoint that although some of the pinoy habits may seem inefficient and detrimental to our development, there can be some positive takeaways, depending on how you look at it. Admittedly, it may not be the best use of your time if you spend it waiting for late guests to arrive, and you will probably need to exert extra patience and restraint, but some of the best conversations and discoveries a.k.a. 'lucky incidents' take place during those unscheduled moments.
Admittedly, it's a bit hard to describe the nuances of the culture. The best way I can think of to describe it is, what if you didn't have to feel annoyed or upset if you were waiting for someone who was late, how else would you take advantage of it. I have some suggestions, but we'll have to talk about it over a cup of coffee the next time you visit Manila, and I promise I won't be late 🙂
Hi Bob and to all of you, as I also had write about this topic before, I only can say, Filipino time is a thing, I will accept. As you Bob and many other expats also, we love to live in the Philippines, but Filipino time is not something we could agree. I don't like, if somebody steel my time. As I also said before, many things (business etc.) could run better, if people would be on time. And if it is not business but pleasure: I don't like to observe the people preparing food and drinks, and the party goers arrived even hours later. Again, very sorry, but that's not my thing.
i didn't plan to comment but i felt compelled to join the filipino "anti-filipino time" bandwagon.
i hate it too. i hate that it's called filipino time, but i also hate the fact that being late also makes sense being called filipino time. it's a bad habit and i hope bob is right and it will someday be passe to call it as such.
i live in the US and pretty much all of the pinoys i know here are always on time (and i know a lot). but, sad to say, we all know that once we fly back home, we expect it to be different. i've vented about this when i was in davao and is one of the cons ive listed to why i shouldn't move back — not particularly the lateness but the accumulated stress of complaining about these things (my mom's charming pace excluded 😉 )
to me there shouldn't be a Filipino time. Just "on-time" and "late". I'd rather not have this as a charming cultural trait that needs to be understood and dissected. I hope things change.
Also, I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure the economy makes a huge improvement if everyone start valuing punctuality. it makes good business sense.
Hi rob – Thanks for stopping by, nice to see you! Hmm… next time I'm in Manila? That could be a while yet. Last time I was there was almost 4 years ago… it might be another 4 before I make it again! 😆 I'll look forward to your future articles.
Hi Klaus – Yes, like you, I am "fairly" adjusted to Filipino Time, at least the most that I will be adjusted, I think. I can live with it, but it does annoy me!
Hi Macky – I'm with you – there's on time and there is late. I guess there is early too! 😀 People who are late are part of any nationality that you can think of. I just use the term Filipino Time because it is widely used. I don't mean an insult to Filipino people. 🙂
Bob -This could be a good opportunity to learn something new as the astrology thing is pretty big the world over with hundreds of millions of believers in various degrees. The chinese have a different way of approaching it. with your year of birth pertaining to a particular animal sign. You have peobably heard of year of the Tiger, Rat, etc….Plays an important role in politics also. Believe it or not there seems to be something to it. I seem to fit the profile of my birth sign and many of the people I know do also. I am sure if you read up on it you will find it interesting as it pertains to you and your sphere of influence. Have you been living under a rock for 50 years LOL. Seems odd you don't know anything about this. So no one has ever said about you are so you are a ….when you reveal your birthday. LOL Oh and for the record for me it is just fun not an obsession as it can be for many.
Hi Corey – Don't take me wrong… I mean I've heard of it, and I know what it is. I just don't know the details like a Virgo means you should be like this or like that. I just don't believe in it, so I haven't really dug into it. It's just something outside the realm of my beliefs. I don't have a problem with people who do believe, I just do not.
Bob
What i have found is that as a westerner that we embarrass our Philippine guests by their lateness, as they realise it is rude in our culture and then this awkwardness makes things worse…….i was waiting for an architect once who was very late and me and my wife were getting excuses, via phone calls and texts citing one reason after another for the delay, some of them which patently were not true. In effect by embarrasing our architect we were forcing him to tell us some white lies, which i'm sure he would rather not have told.
Anyway the incident was a small one but it taught me a lesson, like many here i don't like lateness, but i need to adjust to it and it's good in a way to see even Macky and other commenters have to make adjustments, be they ex pats or "local" ex pats
Hi Bob — i didn't think you were insulting anyone. i hope i didn't come off like i was accusing you. 🙂 on the contrary, i agree with everything you said. and saying "filipino time" has it's use –sadly, everybody knows what it means because it makes some sort of sense.
i just didn't want it to be a cultural excuse/justification for our bad habits.
Its not just the Philippines where lateness is a virtue, in India its called * Indian Time * and causes the same stress between Locals and Expats. 🙂
Scott
Hi rick b – I agree. I, as foreigners, we choose to live in the Philippines, whether we like it or not, we must adapt, if we will be able to stay long term.
Hi macky – I understand what you meant. Just wanted to make that clear, though.
Hi Scott – I didn't know about Indian Time, but it doesn't surprise me either.
Hi Bob,
In my line of work, I cannot be late, or else my clients would kill me. :)Hence, I do my best to be on time all the time.
But sometimes my daily schedule gets messed up when one arrives late. There was one time, a Filipino client and I , agreed to meet by 10 a.m. I was wondering what happened to her when it was already 10:30 and she still has not arrived. So I called her up. She said she's on her way already. I persisted and asked, which part of Davao she's at . I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she said, I'm still in Mintal mam, on my way to Bajada. Gee….
To cut the story short, I rescheduled our meeting because I cannot be late for my next appointment. It's not fair for my other clients to wait because of my messed up schedule…
I guess, this will never change in the Philippines. Not in my lifetime, at least. lol
Thanks!
Lea
Reminds me of a childrens party invitation I got (I have no 2 legged kids, LOL but my friend was throwing the party) and the invitation stated X time and I called my other friend and said "hey S – did P write the invitation correctly seems really early for a childrens party – reply I got was OH I already spoke to P, she says since everyone is always late she put the time 1 hour early, and she says if we arrive on the time stated we will have to help with decorating – I was like, ohhhhhhhhhh" hehehehhe
I also have a friend (he's a nurse by the way) who is always 1-2 hours late. So if you ahve a party at 7pm you tell him 6pm and hopefully he will be there by 8pm, LOL LOL!
Hi bob- Believe it or not there is also an African time.
My theory is time is only relevant to people who live in colder climates as if a meeting is late waiting around is uncomfortable especialy in Winter.
If you are late for a meal food can be cold etc so its in your interests to be on time. And of course we are brought up in the belief that to be late is impolite or down right rude. But by the time we come to live in the Philippines it doesn't matter for most as we are retired anyway and time doesn't matter so much. LOL.
Hi Lea – I certainly understand that. In your line of work, it is so important to keep your customers happy and also confident in you.
Hi Cheryll Ann – Hey, you just got me thinking…. I'm gonna start a new policy that those who are too late must stay and help clean up after the party! That should get people here on time! 😆
Hi Jim – African Time, Filipino Time, Indian Time! Wow, I never knew about all of this! You're right about the retirement – everything kind of slows down after that!
Hi Everyone—I have to defend Rob's dela Cruz' article "In Defense Of Filiipino Time" not only because he is a contributing writer for Philippine Voyager, but because "Filipino Time" makes perfect sense here in the Philippines.As I have mentioned before on my previous articles and comments, on humility and ambassadorship (the art of statemenship), that it is alright to think, talk, and act anyway we want in a foreign country, as long as we do it in our head".
We cannot imposed or demand our Western way of punctuality in this country. For one thing, most people don't have steady jobs, a car, and an efficient road system. Of course, we can always blame the Philippines government for that. But in the end, who is really listening? No one. We're just wasted our breathe because. The only thing we could do is accept the 'status quo' for what it really is if we want to continue to live in the Philippines in harmony.
What Rob was trying to say with his article is, inspite of this inefficiency in lifestyle, there is a positive side to it. Like or not, it is more relaxing, or perhaps prolong our life, if we don't have to rush and try to make excuses for why we're late for anything. Maybe…just maybe…we can proably use this same "Filipino TIme" strategy to be late for our own funeral. I think I'll be happy with that thought. Till next time….
Hi Julius – If you look at comment #27, I said flat out that because I love living in the Philippines, I adapt to Filipino Time. I'd say that this statement clearly says that I agree with what you say at the end of your first paragraph. However, just because I (and others) accept it and adapt to it, it doesn't mean that we have to like it, or that we have to think that it is the way that we would choose to live our lives. Another note – if we associate with people who are very bad with their lateness, we can always choose to not include them in activities. Foreigners or not, it is within our rights to do that.
Thanks for stopping by!
>> We cannot imposed or demand our Western way of punctuality in this country
the employers in mindanao seem to have no problems doing just that. Gaisano, Felcris, Jollibee, NCCC, SM – they seem to have no problems in opening on time with all staff present.
Punctuality is not "western" versus "oriental". It is about adult mentality versus juvenile mentality.
The ASEAN free trade treaties are now signed and sealed. Sooner rather than later, we won't have to put up with nonsense from the likes of these carabao mentalities, here in the Phils. We can just replace them with some clear-headed vietnamese or malaysians. don't even ASK about how the Chinese are leaving the Filipinos in their dust, when it comes to agriculture in RP….
Perhaps Mr Dela Cruz and Mr Bantigue can find employment as streetsweepers in Manado, Indonesia. Direct flights on Sriwijaya Air, guys. Buy your ticket at the travel agency on Legaspi street, down the street from Basti's Brew
Hi Alan Mark – Next time, don't mince your words so much! 😆
Hi Alan Mark—I guess that is the reason why you're somewhat involved with something about the Philippines (through a romantic
link(s) or peace and relaxation),because you're not tolerant of
"Filipino Time". Let's get real. Part of the reason why we all
want to live, retire, and want anything to do about the Philippines
someday, is for the very same thing you're trying to get away from
in the in the United States or other Western Culture—which is
stress and nervous breakdown, that is brought on by a harried
lifestyle and being a clock watcher.
Yes, Jollibee and other Corporate giants (like call centers) here
in the Philippines are big proponents of punctuality to benefit
themselves, but, are you also aware of the high stress levels this
bring among their employees? Just observe how nervous and
overworked an average worker at a fast-food chain here in the
Philippines, and you'll be convinced. The only reason these
employees don't complain is because they don't want to lose their
jobs or they don't have any insurance to go to doctors for their
stress-related illnesses. They have very limited choices.
You're looking to much at the big picture of the at ASEAN trade
agreement that does very little to benefit the average Filipino
workers. Ask an average Filipino worker what benefit they think
they'll reap from the ASEAN trade agreement over a cup of coffee,
and they'll will tell you bluntly to go back to drinking your
coffee. Punctuality only works in a more developed countries,
because most people have jobs, and they have a more freedom to
choose which economic avenues they can take, and on how much more
they can demand from their employers or employees.
So, Adam Mark, if you want to have anything do with the
Philippines, in the present or the future, I suggest you humble
yourself to the common Filipino man (who is not working and has a
family to support) and try not to impose your punctual way of
thinking. You might just create envy and contempt, because he is
likely to think that you think you're condescending on him.
Personally, I have a lot of respect for the streetsweepers in the
Philippines. They really seem to enjoy what they do. They'll
alway have something to do because it'll never run out of
"alikabok" (dust) here in the Philippines. Not only that, they
don't have to hurry or be punctual. I hope I didn't mince my words. 😉 Till next time….
Hi Bob– I don't mean to disagree with you when it comes to being tolerant of "Filipino Time". But we also have to realize that the way they do things in a Third World Country is different from the way they do things in a more developed culture. In a more abundant culture, we have the luxury to do or be what we want to be. Of all people, I would expect you to understand that because you and I have that common love and understanding for the Philippines and her people,and are willing to accept almost all of the idiosycracies of this country–which includes "Filipino Time".
For us to do battle or change things will only bring disappointments and frustrations because we're dealing with people or organizations with more resources than we have. The only thing we can do learn to coexist with these unfortunate things in life. I hope you understand. Till next time…
Hi Julius – I believe that I have learned to exist and even remain happy, Filipino Time or not. I still don't like it when people waste my time leaving me waiting for hours, but I just bite my tongue, and remember that the next time I meet this person there is no need for me to be punctual.
It’s easy for me to put this in plain , any language. If I invite you, or anyone to meet me for a meal, and you do not show up before I finish, then tough luck. I go by the agreed time and eat on time. It’s the invitees choice whether they’re on time or not, so there is only one person to blame if they’re left out. Several times like that and one should figure that you mean buisness.
>> I guess that is the reason why you’re somewhat involved with something about the Philippines (through a romantic
link(s) or peace and relaxation),because you’re not tolerant of
“Filipino Time”. Let’s get real
Ok, let's get real. I'm here because Mindanao is an exceptionally green pasture, where I can make good (relative to the cost of living)money. If the locals don't know how to do it, and prefer to go abroad instead – it's not my problem. I'm not here by the grace of pilipino peasantry.I'm here by the grace of the fact that I pay large amount of taxes.
>> Ask an average Filipino worker what benefit they think
they’ll reap from the ASEAN trade agreement over a cup of coffee,
and they’ll will tell you bluntly to go back to drinking your
coffee.
I honestly don't care what color-blind people think about the fact that I can see the world in color. And I equally don't care a whit about the feelings of Filipinos. I didn't come here to make sip-sip with people who ruined the green pasture that Luzon once was – I came here to graze on Mindanao's opportunities.
Living amongst filipinos, I am exceptionally aware of the fact that they care more about what other filipinos SAY about them, than about advancing themselves. Hence, perhaps you are terrified of the prospects that the Filipino peasantry would talk un-nice about you. I don't, because I didn't grow up in the Filipino culture.
>> Personally, I have a lot of respect for the streetsweepers in the
Philippines
I can't testify about your city, but in davao, we have a cadre of streetsweepers who do a good job – and they show up on time for their jobs, else Duterte will get rid of them.
>> the reason why we all
want to live, retire, and want anything to do about the Philippines
someday
Yes, a large fraction of the Fil-Ams did not arrive to the USA through any test of whether they are gonna become a human-capital asset to the USA. They arrived by pure accident of being related to someone who was able to petition them in. So maybe it's not surprising that many many many of them actually dream of going back to RP so they can be a useless puto.
The balikbayan Filipinos no longer scare me, vis-a-vis my business here. The advantages of being able to get away with breaking national-patrimony laws, and being native speakers of the colloquial, are just not enough to overcome their basic inability to see the color of money. I can run circles around them.
philippino time for me was waking up at 5:00 am knowing we were going to the market very soon. but soon we were still home getting ready for lunch. by the time we were able to go to the market it was getting dark and we would have to rush. i still cant understand how the locals can have so much paintence. i gess we americans are so used to rushing that meybe we are missing out on life.
Hi jerry smith – Ha ha…. I know what you mean! 😆
Hi Richard, Ive got to say thats a really selfish attitude. You don't mind your employee being stresed out but God forbid it should be you….
wow Bob i have never run into filipino time ..cause when i go some where my wife makes sure we are early ..I have never waited for someone cause when they find out i am a american they are there on time …they like to hear me talk ..
Hi phil – What can I say? All I know is that you are absolutely amazing! In all of my years of visiting the Philippines, I have never heard of a foreigner who has not experienced Filipino time. I am flabbergasted!
Ah, Filipino time, many years ago when Sofia and I first got married and
lived in the states her Filipina time used to drive me crazy, if we were invited somewhere at 7 o'clock then that was when we left the house, it
didn't matter if the location was 2 blocks or 2 towns away. But now after
many years of marriage things have gotten much better, she is more
prompt and being retired I am more layed back.
Rick
Hi Rick Austin – Haha… Yes, I understand you, and it seems that we both feel the same way! I am getting better at accepting it, but probably will never fully adjust! 😆