You know, I have always considered myself a fairly intelligent person. In many ways I am, but after moving to the Philippines, I learned that I still had a lot to learn about some subjects.
When you move to a place that offers a lot of new glimpses at things that you are not used to, if you are smart enough, you quickly realize that you still have some learning to do, on subjects that you are ignorant about.
Ignorant? Many people think that calling somebody ignorant is an insult, or a bad word, something that you should not say. Really, nothing could be further from the truth. I readily admit that I am ignorant about many things. Being ignorant does not mean that you are stupid. Ignorance and stupidity are two different things. Being ignorant about something means that you are uninformed about that topic. Even the smartest people in the world are ignorant on some topics. For example, somebody like Albert Einstein was probably ignorant on many things. I don’t know enough about Einstein to say what he was ignorant about, maybe he was ignorant on the topic of cooking or rodeo, who knows!
Many people, though, refuse to admit that they have ignorance on some subjects. I suppose that I have probably been one of those people at times in my life. However, when I moved to the tropics, specifically to the Philippines, I quickly learned that there were certain things which I knew virtually nothing about. It can be hard to admit that a simple uneducated farmer knows more than you do on certain things, but I quickly learned that with no uncertainty when I came to live in the Philippines! When you come here to live, you will likely discover things too that you are ignorant about.
This week, I am going to look at a series of topics which I found that I was quite ignorant about when I moved to the Philippines. Hey, I’m not an expert now by any means, and I certainly still have many topics on which I am ignorant. But, I must also say that I have certainly learned a great deal on many things by simply observing simple people here in the Philippines.
So, this week, let’s take a look at a few things that I have learned about in the past 9 years of living here. Maybe you will learn a thing or two too. Maybe you already know this stuff, but maybe not. Maybe you’ll chuckle a bit when you find out that I knew nothing about these things. If you do, that’s OK too, we all have things that we need to learn about!
Maybe in the comments you can tell me if this is news to you, or if you already knew about these things. Also, maybe there are new things that you learned during your times visiting the Philippines, I’d sure enjoy hearing about that too, and you might remind me that I also didn’t know!
Hi Bob,
Nice picture! I am sure one to admit my ignorance because I am on so many things. In fact it really worries me sometimes. New technology really throws me for a loop especially with computers and cell phones. I fit in the farmer category. I will be looking forward to hear what you and the others have to say on this subject. I should learn a lot on this one. This should be very helpful to me on the do and don't things for when I go there. (hopefully soon)
Thanks, Dale
Yea Bob I know what you mean when you say you are ignorant about the ways of the Philippines .. The first time I was there I did pretty much what Jess told me and we got along fine with the relatives ..The second time I went there I had a home to go to ,so I brought some carpenter tools The first day the carpenter came back to work I watch him work all day and we talked ..I ended up watching him work for the rest of the vacation .. He knew what he was doing and too me, I had a good idea what he was doing so I let him do it ..I didn't get involved ..I decided to be on vacation for the rest of the trip ..I plan on a long vacation when I move there too ..Phil n Jess
Hi Dale Head – My series doesn't really go into technology issues, but just simple stuff that I really had no idea about! I think you will enjoy it.
Hi Phil – Ha ha… yes indeed. I have watched carpenters do their work too, and they do things much different than a carpenter in the States does. When we watch, we think how different they do it, and many times I think that their way won't work, but I soon learn that I am wrong.
Kamusta ka Bob,
Ok…shoot !!! I'm ready to learn some new things.
daghang salamat,
Danny 🙂
Bob, I have a feeling your upcoming post are going to be intersting, Im along for the ride.
Gotta love the first time I was told to go take a shower in a Filipino House, only to face a Large Bucket and a Small Bucket.
I thought the RP was full of Dikes, all the beutiful girls walking around holding hands.
Hi Danny – I am happy to have you along for the ride. It might get bumpy, though! 😀
Good morning Neal – How is everything in RI today? 🙂 I hope all is well.
Well, my series doesn't have anything about the bucket showers or the girls holding hands in the mall, but maybe there will be something interesting, we'll have to wait and see! Actually, the whole series is written, except for Friday's article, which I am still thinking over. We'll see how that goes, as the week progresses.
Bob,
There are so many cultural things here where Eastern and Western are 180 degress out of Phase, you can write forever.
Looking forward to reading this.
Thats ok Bob, I'll put her in 4 wheel drive ……:)
Bob,
I'm sorry, what I meant by technology is that this was an example of one of the things that I am ignorant about. Also what I meant on subject is what every body will have to say on the subject of ignorance. Some times I'm not too clear on what I mean.
Thanks Again, Dale
Hi Bruce – It's true that there are a ton of different things that can be written about on this topic. Actually, only one day, though covers culture. The other items that I scheduled just covered my personal ignorance!
Hey Danny,
You may need to put some All-Terrain tires or Mud Grip tires on that 4 wheel drive if you don't already have them!
Hi Danny – We might need it!
Hi Dale – No problem, I just misunderstood. I do agree though, that all of us have things we are ignorant about! Especially me! 😆
Maayong Buntag Bob
The way I look at it I will be learning until they throw 6 feet of dirt over me or if I am in the RP shove me into one of those little compartments.
Maayong buntag Kuya Bob,
I'm excited now.. Hmmm.. I think it's going to be funny huh.. 😆
Hi Bob – I've learned that "Ugly Americans" (you know the type) suffer from terminal stupidity: what they don't know and refuse to learn will kill them in the end.
Hi Neal, & Did you not see men holding hands as well? I know it's off topic but I adjusted too when I got here in the US. I did not know the US is largely homophobic. I guess that's one of the many glaring, differences between the US & Pinas.
Hi Larry – Exactly! The day that I stop learning is the day that I am dead already!
Hi Paul – Yep, been there, done that! 😀
Hi Bob,
Love your article. It reminds me of my grandfather, he would pull the cork on some Kentucky bourbon, and get philosophical. Then he would say: "Everybody is ignorant…Just on different subjects" A wise man who only had an 8th grade education.
Hi Bob
I can hardly wait for your insights.
Being fully ready to admit that I am ignorant in most ways of the Philippine culture… I am waiting to be educated.
I need to know sooo much!!!
You are looking at a woman that was caught out in a bathroom with NO toilet paper until my friend came looking for me and rescued me.
Yeah… go ahead a laugh you guys ….but let me tell you I went right out into the mall and bought the biggest handbag I could find and ALWAYS carried at least 2 rolls with me where ever I went after that!!!!!!
So bring it on BOB…..educate me!!!!!
Hi Hudson – 😀 your grandfather sounds like somebody I'd like!
Bob,
We are all ignorant in many areas as we learn as we get older. I know you try as I do to search and learn where we fail in knowledge. There is the old saying "The day I stop learning is the day I die."
That is how we grow.
Hi Bruce – Very true. If we weren't ignorant in some areas, we wouldn't need to go on that quest for knowledge!
I'm happy you chose to attack the word "ignorant", Bob, which, as you point out is so often misused. There are a number of different versions of this ancient Persian saying online and off… this particular version uses ignorant in waht I feel is the original sense:
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, is a fool … shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not, is ignorant … teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows, is asleep … wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows, is a wise man … follow him.
Hi Dave – Thanks for that, I never heard this saying before, it's interesting to know.
hi bob,
ah… that would be a nice article, we all have one thing in common bob, we are a species of homos ignoramus.
Hi dans – Oh yes, not doubt there! See you tomorrow for my first adventure into learning! I'll give you a clue… tomorrow's column has to do with coconut milk! 😯
Yes I do recall a few Guys holding hands in RP, but I saw Girls holding hands every place I would look.
Here in the US if you see Guys or Girls holding hands you instantly think they are gay. Im not Gay bashing it's just my observation.
Roy , the guy hold hand and walking arm in arm thing threw me a bit when I first saw it. Indians do it to. Just a cultural difference, and has a very different meaning here. Don,t do it in New Zealand or Australia if you value you teeth, you might get them knocked out.
Hi Neal – I could be wrong, but my impression is that I see just as many guys holding hands here as girls.
coconut milk isn't that used for food stuff ..drinking-eating and other things too ..coconut milk bath sounds good too 🙂 Phil n Jess
Hi Phil – Yep.
I used to be ignorant about many things here in the Pines but that was until I met my Pinoy partner. I have sold my Encyclopedia Brittanica because I didn't need it anymore because she knows everything lol! Djoke only !!!
One thing I was truly ignorant about was really living like a Philippino. When I was pick pocketed, I had no access to money. I then understood what it is like to ask for charity a and rely on everyone else for money and foods to eat. Worse of all was the loss of my freedom, I was definitely ignorant about that. Still, I never thought how tasty fried fish and rice really is when your hungry lol.
Looking forward to your articles Sir BoB.
Hi Pete – Interesting observations! I am lucky that I have so far never been in a position where I had to ask for charity. I hope that I never have to do that, but I suppose it can be turned into a learning experience as you did.
Hi Daryl, I thought Ozz is a gay-friendly country? My friend told me it is! Perhaps, in its remote areas huh? Is it fair then to say that in most western countries , there are clearly defined roles for what is considered 'not done by straight' people?
The walking in arm thing that you see here is done by male buddies, even in Manila, you see these things. But the holding hands thing is mostly done by dudes from the provinces. I see them mag suroy-suroy (go sight seeing) & unconsciously hold each other's hands. Not that this is derogatory or anything, I am convinced most Filipinos do not think this is bad until it was pointed out in western culture that this is a weird thing to do, that's why we have refrained from doing that.
Well I don't need to learn anything else because everyone says I'm a know it all 😆 Look forward to reading your articles Bob.
Bob I consider myself to be very intelligent in everything that I know everything about. Anything that I don't know about I would assume I am ignorant in that area. The trick is having more checks in the know about column and less in the ignorant column.
Hi brspiritus – 😉
Hi Ron – You are exactly right there!