Friendly

       Filipinos are basically a friendly people, even to strangers. Filipinos are always friendly with strangers or newcomers. They want the newcomer to feel at home or part of the group. They normally ask questions about a newcomer's background, which may be interpreted as being nosy at times. But it is just their way of having to "feel" the person, of having to "know" him in order for them to establish rapport. Asking about the background of a newcomer or stranger also helps a Filipino test his skills, in particular his ability to use other languages that he knows. For example, English-speaking visitors to the Philippines might find it strange that Filipinos respond in English even if they attempt to talk to them in Tagalog or any other local language. It is because Filipinos want to prove to the foreigners that they are able to speak a language, be it English, Japanese, or other foreign language, that they know. For some Filipinos, it is a shame if he or she cannot speak good English to an English-speaking foreigner. By showing that he is able to do so also proves that he is an educated person as well.

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