Suggestions! Not rules!

Suggestions, not rules! :)



There are several rules that some filipinos follow only when they feel like it. If you lived in the Philippines for a long time, you may consider this as a norm and just like what filipinos say "ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES!". If this is your first visit in the Philippines, you might find it weird. Lack of discipline or whatever it is.. it's still funny anyway. Not all Filipinos do this.

EXPRESS LANE (Supermarket)

Even if there's already the sign "1-10 items only", why are there still some filipinos who push carts loaded with a lot of items to an express lane?

A. They didn't notice the sign.

"Wow, it seems that I'm the only one here who's not affected that much by the recession. These people can't even fill up a small basket."

B. They are pretending that they didn't notice it so they can pay and get out of the supermarket easily.

-"Ma'am/Sir, this is an express lane" (points at the sign)

--"Oh, I'm sorry.. I didn't notice it. But I've been waiting in this line for a long time, should I move somewhere else?"

-"No, it's okay.."

--"Thank you, I won't do it again next time I shop here."

C. They decided to ignore it.

"What's the difference? I'm still going to pay anyway."

FOOTBRIDGE



There's a footbridge so you can cross safely instead of taking a risk by crossing the road where cars and other motor vehicles are.

Why do some Filipinos hate the footbridge?

A. They are too lazy, will not walk to wherever the nearest footbridge is.

"I'm too tired, why would I walk all the way to the footbridge when I can cross here. The cars will stop when they see that someone is about to cross."

B. The women who wear skirts are afraid to cross the footbridge because there are bystanders below who look up to take a peek.

-"Oh my God, the wind is blowing.. If it lifts my skirt up while I'm on the footbridge, the whole world would see it."

--"Haha.. yes, it will cause traffic or a car crash."

-"Not funny."

C. On a very hot day, they feel like they are offering themselves to the sun, moving closer to it.

"It's very hot, I feel like the sun is too close, why would I move closer?"

D. They are afraid of heights.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

I've read a joke on the internet. Someone (a Filipino) said that "Here in the Philippines, traffic lights are only suggestions, not rules. Hehe." After I read that joke, whenever I go out and see pedestrians crossing wherever and anytime they want. Stop or Go, only people on the wheels care. Guessing game continues.

A. They are color blind.

B. They pretend to be color blind.

C. They are late for school/work.

D. They just don't care.

We know that it's discipline that we need but sometimes we can't do anything but laugh. We can't just go and start arguing with some stranger just because we saw him/her doing something wrong. There could be more reasons than just those A-B-C-Ds I gave. The reason could be stupid and funny or it could be a reasonable one. Maybe these things happen in other countries too or it could be "ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES!".