Last week, when I wrote in my continuing series about SIR (Smooth Interpersonal Relationships), by foundation of Filipino Culture, I said that I had only one more aspect to cover, and asked if anyboyd could guess what it was. I was surprised that nobody guessed (Chris tried, but was not correct), because this is the area of Filipino Culture that seems to annoy Westerners the most of all. The final installment on the SIR system that is used in the Philippines is the Time-Event Concept. Basically, we are going to talk about Filipino Time today! Again! Yes, we have discussed this many times, but I will cover it again today, because it is part of the SIR cultural system that exists in the Philippines.
The study materials that I have here, which were given to me by my Bisaya teacher, Bebe Metillo, say this. Filipinos are more interested in what is happening (the event itself), than in when the event is happening. In a folk society valuing people more than time, you must show up some time when the event is happening, not necessarily at the starting time of the event.
Well, this is certainly a different way to look at it, don’t you think? You must show up – at some time – not necessarily when the event starts! That kind of explains why everybody shows up late by one amount of time or another. Where I come from, in the United States, to be polite, we usually show up 15 minutes or so early for a meeting or some such event! Here, if you show up early, it is very rude, because you might be imposing on the host, who is probably not ready yet. Even showing up “on time” at the hour when the event is scheduled is not really proper under this “time-event concept.”
I would say that in my 9 years of living in the Philippines, the practice of this time-event concept is the most aggreviating part of living here. It is also complicated by the fact that not all Filipinos follow this custom, some do things actually on time! So, if you are invited to something, the first thing you have to do is to actually figure out if the person who is hosting is expecting you at the time you were invited, or if you should be 30 minutes or even an hour late to be “on time.” It can really be complicated! Sometimes, when we are invited to something, Feyma and I will actually come right out and ask if we should go by “American time” or “Filipino time.” I think that this is a good practice to follow, so that you can actually show up at a time that you are expected to be there.
So, what do you think about the practice of Filipino Time, or the Time-Event Concept? For me it is annoying, even after living here for a very long time. When I talk to other expats, this is also the number one annoyance that I hear about. But, for Filipinos it is not rude or bad-mannered at all, it is just the way things are, and how they are done. What do you think?
Well, this wraps up my series of articles about SIR . I hope that you got some useful information from the series, I know that when I was given this material by Bebe, it opened my eyes to a lot of things in the Culture and helped me understand things that had always confused me. I hope that it helped some of you too. That is, after all, why I wrote the articles!
Ah I fanally got internet in the new house so I can start commenting again. I think Filipino time can really be chalked up as Spanish time… all former Spanish Colonies have the same problems with being on time. It’s something I have gotten used to though and I don’t know if I want it to change. I do not miss the go go go lifestyle I had in the states where you had to be somewhere at 1pm… then somewhere else at 1.30 etc. I have been invited to be Primary Ninong to my wifes’s friend’s baby, the christening is on the 1st but when I asked what time… “I don’t know” lol
One other comment about leaving the affair early. Yes, I personally think that leaving too soon could be viewed as being rude. But what is too soon? I take into account the amount of work and money spent by the host. The best cue is to observe when other folks start leaving. When more people start to leave then, I too, start preparing for my exit. But what do you do with those who can’t seem to leave? If they’re great company and I still have energy, I continue. If I feel that it’s time to fold the tent, I politely let them know that I have to catch my sleep as I have other tasks to care of the following day. My favorite line in Tagalog goes something like this: “Uy patay ako bukas pag kinulang ako nang tulog ngayon gabi. Sige na tayo. Mag kita tayo uli.” Translation: “Oh, I’ll be dead tomorrow if I don’t get enough sleep tonight. Ok let’s go and we’ll see each other again.” Most Filipinos will be glad you told them that because they too have things to do the next day. And most of all they don’t lose face.
Hi Bob,
I totally agree with you… it is annoying to say the least.
Wait, I need to run because I am 30 minutes late for our office meeting! 🙂
Gerry
Yes when I was living in Manila in 2008 I hated Filipino time, I don't believe a modern society can work in this way, you can maybe get away with it socially ( although it's still annoying) but not in business.
One prime example for me was when I was asked by 20 players to do a session coaching sport ( I was involved in national coaching at the time) we agreed on certain times, I stressed that it was NOT filipino time. 30 mins after the start time of the first session only 1 person had turned up, I just gave up and went home. It was their loss, free coaching from a foreign senior coach and they missed out.
Obviously in sports players must start at the same time for warm ups etc but they simpy didn't respect my time and that is how I saw it.
Sometimes in a modern society we have to encompass change, it isn't enough to say that this is the way it's always been.
Hi Bob – This may be the reason why events like parties start just after the afternoon merienda and last into the wee hours – providing the opportunity for every attendee to employ their own version of Philippine Time. 🙂
Some regional cultures look upon leaving an event before its end as being an unfavorable act or rude. Have been to one where the event's end was the moment that the "last man standing" dropped. 😆
The root cause of "Filipino time" is simple: one cannot possible be expected to get anywhere "on time" when:
1. there is a blackout and you can't see to get dressed.
2. you are waiting on the jeepney
3. you are waiting on the multicab
Then waiting for the above two conveyances to be grossly overloaded before departing and then stopping dozens of times before getting to the destination.
4. Travelling at a turtles' pace because of the poor quality of road.
5. Stopping at the vulcanizing shop to repair the flat because there is no spare tire.
Ta – daa! Filipino time.
I think that it's become an ugly habit of a lot of Filipinos. I have to disagree that Filipinos are interested in the event itself and not when it's happening. Some Filipinos just don't have the discipline to be on time and think that everybody else will be late as well. They even come to church late or even to their own weddings late! I like it a lot when organizations I am with decide to start on time with or without everybody.
I think that this culture must change or be doomed but with change will come a less hispitable and warm people. As this county progresses the tolerance for this Filipino time attitude will be less acceptable due to outside pressures. It's kind of wierd but I know that Filipinos are not lazy. They work long days and put in a good effort. However, they are the most complacent, unmotivated, tolerant, low self esteem people I have ever met and this will be their doom in a competitive world unless they change their attitudes. Hopefully in making this change we will not lose the warmth of these people.
Kamusta ka Bob,
This is something I know will really bother me when adjusting to the Philippines. I don't have any patience for people being late for meetings, but of course if they have a great excuse (like car breaks down, traffic problems, or family emergency) but other than that, not much else should be used for an excuse. Especially when it comes to business, but also social events too. Like Bob had said, I too was taught that you should arrive around 15 minutes early to be at a certain place. So I guess is what I expect from my friends, and business appointments.
But will see how it goes when I move there….I might just have to learn to count to 10, and calm myself down each time this happens to me while there.
I wish I had the picture I saw on the internet the other day…but it would not let me copy it to my computer. It was a picture taken in Maasin City, SOuthern Leyte, that the local government had made, its said "Here we use real time, not Filipino time". So I guess Maasin City Hall doesn't like filipino time either.
Salamat,
Danny
Hello again,
Heres what the sign said…I thought it said "Here we use real time, not filipino time".
Heres a link to that photo on webshots website.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1051245252040393…
Salamat,
Danny
Yes, Filipino time drives me crazy. I currently live in San Diego CA AKA Philippines #2 and I have been married to the same Filipina for 38 years. So by now you can guess Im a total nut case. Truth of the matter I do truely love all things Filipino but Filipino time does kinda wear on a guy.
Hi Bob – Time is time and if you are not going to abide by what the clock says, then why have it at all? Why not just invite people to an event on a particular day and let them turn up when they want?
I am a very tolerant person however like most westerners I can't abide lateness, as it is rude to turn up early for Filo's it is equally rude not to be on time for us. So where do you draw the line? Having to ask if it's American or Filo time is not good enough in my eyes especially when it comes to business.
How can they ever expect overseas business partners to ever accept this and be taken seriously. I love Filo's with a passion however they have got this one wrong and it needs to change…
Hi Bob,
I remember my wife and I went to a Filipino Christmas party last month. My wife suggested we arrive an hour later than the appointed time. We were the FIRST guests there and the hosts had just finished getting dressed before we arrived!
I like your idea of asking if it's Filipino time or American time. You can't change people so the best thing to do is find a way to deal with the situation.
some things defy all logic. ….if u really wanna mess with pinoy time tell them your having a party in April…..when they ask what day and time just say April !!!
I'm often trying to figure out "what time is it?" At least in Gensan, clocks tend to be set anywhere from 15 to 35 minutes fast. Even the time announced on the radio has a similar offset. So how can people be on time if there is no agreement on the actual time?
The airlines are an exception.
An American is invited as a VIP to observe a parade. After about an hour he turns to his host and asks, "when does the parade start?" The host looks at him a little confused and says, "the parade starts when they begin marching."
I must confess, I have some tendencies towards Filipino Time myself. Filipino's don't have a lock on this BTW, I've known some Pacific Islanders who talk of Island Time, and I grew up very close to a large Mexican family – maybe that's where I get it.
But you are so right – it can be difficult to adjust to, even for someone with my tendencies 🙂 And it's not just showing up on time, it can also be lack of urgency say at a business or gov't office.
Of course this is humor, Bob. it is the Filipino way! don't laugh enough in the US and miss that dearly.
It is the cause and effect that has ingrained this time mentality into the way of life. I think if we go back far enough, being late was expected here in the US at some time as well.
My wife told this cute joke about Filipino time when we first met. It went something like this:
When God delivered the noses to mankind, they arrived by boat early in the morning at the pier. Americans, being on time for the delivery, arrived first and picked out the longest noses.
By the time the Filipino arrived, all they found were noses that were flat because the Americans stepped on them while choosing their own!!
This story was told with much enthusiasm and smiles. Only a people with a heart of gold can laugh at ones foibles!
I only had to deal with Filipino time on social affairs. When I am the organizer of an event, I EMPHASIZE that Filipino time is out and American time is in. I explain that the event will start at the appointed time no matter what. The majority will arrive on time. You just have to be act with authority as most Filipinos tend to be followers. ( I am Filipino by birth). When I am an invitee and the invitation doesn't specify the time, I simply arrive 45 minutes late. When the invitation specifies the time, I show up at the appointed time. They just have to entertain me when I get there. They got used to my ways. It's been said many times on this blog that we can't change a nation, but we can make the situation work for us.
When I was in Cabanatuan in July 2008 I had an appt with some real estate people at 11am They were supposed to meet me at a subdivision golf and country club.
They wanted me to buy a house in their subdivision, and had texted me the evening before to confirm our appt with their senior sales agent.
I was there 10 mins early and ordered a drink and pulled out my book (as I often do when I am somewhere and want to just chill out)
I ordered lunch at Noon (food was great!!! )
at 1pm I left and went shopping.
They phoned me at 2pm and asked me where I was.
It was all I could do not to hang up the phone.
I told them I had been there on time and as they obviously did not value my time or want my business.
They texted and apologized for 2 days but I was too pissed to text them back.
I was quite shocked that they would blow off a potential buyer.
Didn;t matter, after quickly driving around the subdivision before I left I would not have bought there anyway.
The place was NOT in good repair with many many overgrown weeds and unmowed lawns. Rusty pool furniture and broken slides.
And this was their flagship subdivision!!!!
Oh well
Luckily I didn;t have to worry about time or appts for the remainder of my trip.
I spent the rest of my time in the Philippines around wonderful people and swam with lots of kids and played and enjoyed every minute.
And can hardly wait to go back!!!!
Hi Bob
I am very time conscience….I think it will be 1 of the 2 things that will drive me crazy when I emigrate
1st one being ….
Having someone answer a question YES when they actually mean NO !!!!
I guess it just means I will have to rephrase my questions so there is NO miunderstanding.
Tyleen, Filipinos have a hard time saying the word No. Part of this difficulty is the fact that not knowing something when asked is viewed as a sign of weakness about oneself. I carry this with me at work sometimes. There have been times I find myself unable to utter the word "No" in a meeting. I find myself saying something like "I'm not sure" or "maybe". But I don't have difficulty saying YES when I know for sure.
For me at least, I think this is also due to my upbringing. Forty years ago, when I was a young boy there, I was taught not to say negative things to my elders and to look down when talked to by the elders. I was taught by my parents to take instructions via their facial expressions, head and eye movements. (Notice how Filipinos use their lips to point at something or make quick head movements to indicate direction, etc.) Thus, when they have company, they don't have to raise their voices in front of the visitors. Do these translate to low self esteem or passivity? Maybe. But it sure in the heck is a hard habit to get rid of.
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I am willing to advise anyone on how a typical Filipino may deal with certain situations. Even what gimmicks the locals use to rip you off without even knowing it. We've heard about the taxi, the different pricing standards between locals and foreigners, constructing and buying properties. There are many ways they can make you bleed monetarily. If I get too many requests for advice, I'll simply cry uncle and let Bob know so that he can tweak his business model.
Bob, you need a dear abby type section. Readers, what do you think?
Bob, glad you're receptive to it and I think it will help your readers quite a bit . Agree with your comment about a broader audience. Just trying to be helpful and looking at the situation from a foreigner's perspective.
Bob,
Recently I was hellping with a project. I told my main contractors, if your going to be late, text me before the planned time and not an hour later.
When I was off site, and needed, I was texted continually but when I text them for arrival time, I got no reply at all.
Maybe you could find reasons for the problem I have seen many times the way Filipinos, instead of saying no, will just tell you what you want to hear and never follow through. Promises for connections thay never intend to make or appointments they never intend to keep.
That is something I would like to know.
I enjoyed this series as I almost always enjoy your articles.
Next time you have a party, put on the invitation there will be a raffle for a prize at 6pm American time….must be present to win …party starts at 5:30……
I know pinoys love presents and suprises…..wonder if this would work…would be an interesting cultural experiment.
If you want the party to start at 6pm tell them it starts at 5pm… then most everyone will be there on time except for the ones that are tagal kaau.
Good series Bob, I really enjoyed reading them. By the way, i was late arriving to this article 🙂
no comment. 🙂 Most (if not all) Filipinos are indeed followers because here in the US, we are on time, we drive within the lanes (and not on the lane lines), we stop at stop lights, cross on the crosswalk and even wait in line like everyone else. Then we go back to the Philippines and all of those are forgotten…. guilty here!
Hi Bob,I feel the lateness is partially a bad habit as most would turn up for work as an employee on time,so they can do it.One instance that makes me laugh, when invited to someones home for a meal,if you turn up on time,you are perceived to be greedy lol regards Chas.
I had to wait 1.5 hours plus cuz the judge was late to our wedding!!!!!!!!!!
Yep,
This is the way it is. Sometimes I know I probably bore people when I answer the perpetual "how much does it cost to live there?" query which seems to be paramount in many people's minds.
Well the cost of living can be anywhere from quite reasonable to downright cheap, but that can pale to insignificance when you realize what you have to deal with that has nothing to do with money.
You must adapt to the Philippines, the Philippines is not going to adapt to you … and if you are a clock-oreiented person you are going to be frustrated, that is for sure.
Once I visited an office where my wife used to work. It's a modern place in Makati with a national clientele and is very technology oriented. I met the director, really nice person and very interested in the Web and all sorts of 'trendy' stuff. A Thoroughly Modern Millie so to speak.
On the employee bulletin board was a prominent notice: "Filipino Time is ON TIME !!!" signed by the himself.
I mentioned it to my wife after we had left and she just burst out laughing. She told me the bpss was notorious with every staff member for dragging in late, missing appointments, etc.
It is just the way it is …. and indeed it can be frustrating.
I can now safely say that this trait is almost unique to the Filipinos. A few of my Filipino staff has this really annoying habit and when you call their attention to it they get really defensive and all the excuses comes out: "traffic", "car broke down" (a 2005 Toyota Corolla?), "have to take child to school" (I do too, yet I am here before them) … it's always somebody or something, and not them. I was once given an attitude for calling the attention of this habitually tardy person, I started clocking their time to the minute… and they all collectively showed up late one day in protest. I just gave up and told them that as long as they don't complain that I extend their hours in the afternoon by the amount of minutes they miss in the morning then I am fine with them clocking in late but to a certain extent too, no 30 minutes late or more. I only agreed to do this because my Filipino staff are the most hardworking and resourceful people in my company and they complain less too. Though another of their traits often comes as a negative too… they seldom say NO even if their "plates are full".
This really helps me understand them even more and I appreciate the series about SIR.
I'm somewhat accustomed to the cultural time warp that exists in the Philippines because I spent a number of years in South Texas – high % of Hispanics living there, and similarities do exist with regards to the time. I now live elsewhere, and timeliness is expected. Recently, I had a rather large dinner party at my home in honor of my son's academic achievements. About 20 were invited, amongst whom were a couple of friends from the Philippines. They've (two couples) always been socially late to a number of things, and have gotten better and over the years (3 years) have conformed at least in the business sense to the requirement for being on time. To make a long story short, inevitably, both couples arrived more than 1 1/2 hours late. Dinner had been served, the kitchen cleared & cleaned, and the guests were mingling with after-dinner drinks. BOTH couples were appalled that dinner was OVER . . . and seemed somewhat put out that no accomodations were made to accept their lateness. Again, I had to explain that things just didn't work that way – and sent them to the kitchen to visit with the kitchen help about getting something to eat. They were accomodated with sandwiches and left-over seafood gumbo, but I still got the impression they felt somewhat disenfranchised. So I would have to wonder – is this a genetic trait, or a cultural one? (Said with tongue-in-cheek). For those living there (in the Philippines), I could only say one would have to simply find ways to adapt, as I would doubt there will be any change for at least 3 more generations ! Upon arrival, I will throw my clocks away. I might even revert………….
Hi Bob,
I got my first experience with Philipino time the first time I was there. 3 days after I arrived Josey's Aunt called and said she was going to pick us up at 5:00 AM to go to the wet market to buy food for our day at Paradise Island. Me up at 4:00 AM and then tried to wake Josey at 4:30 to get ready. She laughed at me and told me to come back to bed and sleep. She was right, 6:30 Aunt Didith called and said she was on her way. I think now I like phil's time.
hi bob,
did you know that the philippines has the highest CS (cesarean) deliveries in the world?
In the life of every pinoy, that’s how early Filipino Time starts.
joke lang hehe fantastic website btw!
= )
Hi Pinoy Browser – Thanks for stopping by and leaving your funny comment. It sounds like maybe we have gotten to the answer on how the whole Filipino Time thing got started!
Hey guys, I’m filipino. This is one aspect I really dislike about most of my countrymen. My family is against this norm so I grew up to be always on time. I am already 29 years old and it still gets on my nerves. One remedy for this attitude is to schedule the event 1 hour ahead of time.
Hi Michael – Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It sounds like you and I think a lot alike! 😉