I miss my family and friends, my city (QC RULES!), the malls (OH YES, THE MALLS), Red Ribbon cakes, the cafés filled with people—the filthy-rich college brats, the young artists with their guitars, the beautiful colegialas, executives, teenagers—, the colorful jeepneys, the metro-trains, the food (ISAW sa UP and AUTHENTIC SISIG ANYONE?)… *long sigh*…Alas, I won’t be able to go back this year *another long sigh*.

Plus! I DON’T HAVE FILIPINO FRIENDS HERE. Well, ok, our system analyst is a Filipino and he does invite us whenever there’s a party in his house…and there’s my mom’s old old Filipino hairstylist…Lovely lady…But they are more of acquaintances than friends…I am also working in a company where there are only 2 Filipinos (The SA and me). Of course, it is probably partly my fault since I can be su-huch a snob (and a weirdo) but…I dunno, I’ve always been very picky…and I have not yet met a Filipino here in Kuwait who I don’t find at all impertinent (except for the people mentioned earlier). I am sorry but the truth is, they friggin scared the hell outta me…I mean sure, they’re friendly BUT….

1. They ask too many questions…Ano ba! Daig pa si Boy Abunda kung mag-interview! And to think they just met you like…JUST NOW?

Example: I want to buy a lipstick. Filipina saleslady approaches me. She sees mah hubby. “Asawa mo? Anong lahi? Mabait ba sha? Baket wala pa kayo anak?” (Is he your husband? Wot nationality? Is he nice? How come you don’t have kids yet?) *Timi runs away….*

2. They give you advice when YOU DON’T NEED IT. THEY DUNNO WOT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT MOST OF THE TIME EITHER.

Example: Parlor. Filipina hairdresser cuts my hair (not the one who does Mama’s hair ha). “Naku iha, pabili ka sa asawa mo ng lupa at bahay sa Pinas. At least pag iniwan ka me bahay ka dun! Uso ba naman ang divorce ngayon. Dapat iniisip mo yan. Lalo na ibang lahi asawa mo (You should ask your husband to buy you a house and lot in the Philippines. At least if he leaves you, you still have your own house there. Divorce is so common these days. You should think about these things, specially that your husband is not Filipino.)” *Timi glares at the lady*. “Ay pana (from the Indian-pana kakana-kana rhyme) pala asawa mo no? Kuripot ba naman mga yan. Yan ang mahirap pag pana ang asawa, ayaw nya ng gagastos. Anyway, dapat wais ka talaga, eh kung bigla ka iwan di pano ka na? (Oh, your hubby is an Indian right? Too bad, they are all cheapskates. That’s the disadvantage with having an Indian husband, they won’t let you spend at all. Anyway, you have to be wise, what if suddenly he leaves you what will happen to you?” *Timi glares at the lady again.*

I can frigging buy mah own house and lot if I want to, thank you very much! I have a bloody job and I can use mah own bloody salary. And besides, sorry to say, mah hubby’s people give more importance to the sanctity of marriage than other Filipinos do nowadays. Not only that, family pride and self-dignity (as a man) is very important. They care a lot of what other people will say. And even in instances where falling in love with the spouse is not required (like arranged marriages), the man will ALWAYS DO THEIR DUTY and take care of their family no matter what. Di lahat ng Indians kuripot…Kung alam nyo lang kung gano kalakas maglustay ng salapi ang mga Indians na kilala ko, kayo ang manghihinayang. Sa totoo lang mas kuripot pa ako sa asawa ko…

I really don’t like it when people generalize…

Oh well…I’m sorry if ever I said something bad (Dun think I did but sorry anyway…), I am just writing my own experiences. I know that NOT ALL FILIPINOS ARE LIKE THEM (It’s just that I still have to meet ‘em nice ones) and I also know these people are just trying to start a conversation, but…GAH! Scary! Scary! Scary!

It would be great to find a friend who’s really close by… I mean, someone I can call up anytime of the day and chat with on the phone without thinking about long distance charges. Bah! Uwi na lang kaya ako for good?