You know you live in the Philippines when... (bit of a random blog)

Since our baby boy is due day I am in the house more this week I have found time to write a bit of a random blog!


You know you're in the Philippines when;

• you see a sign above the sink in a public toilet saying "please do not wash your dishes here!"

• you go into a public toilet and no one flushes their used paper, but instead it's gathered in a pile at the side bin
• you see signs in public toilets saying "kindly please do not stand on the seat"
• you can't get a space to wash your hands because there is a row of pretty Filipina girls all brushing their teeth

• if you have the mumps you are advised to put blue food colouring on your face
• if you have a "sugat" (a cut/wound)and told  its not good to eat chicken, fish or beef but pork is ok
• advised that certain positions in child birth are "just for foreigners"
• you are told that some babies come out born " inside the plastic bag" (amniotic sack!)
•  the doctor sets her phone on vibrate to "tickle the baby" and then charges you a very expensive medical fee!

•  yes could sometimes mean... yes, no or maybe
• beginning an activity or meeting some one at 1pm could mean 1.30pm, 2pm or 3pm!
• road markings, sign posts or any kind of law are "just a suggestion"
•  you see signs such as "lady bed spacer wanted" or "roadworks in full swing"
• when you go into a store and you are warmly welcomed with a smile
•  you go into a store to look for a simple moisturiser and all you can find are whitening creams
• you can buy everything in miniature size- everything from toothpaste to soya sauce

 You know you've lived in the Philippines for some time when;

• you point with your lips and answer with your eyebrows
• mix up the letters P and F  and V and B
•  you don't hear something properly and your first expression is "ha?!"
• you don't feel you ate a proper meal unless it included rice
• when there's ants or other wee bugs in your cereal or jams and you eat it anyway
• eating out you draw a rectangle in the air and raise your eyebrows to indicate you are ready for the bill
• you change your accent depending on who you are talking to
• you always leave your shoes at the door before entering someones home (or your own)
• you think its normal to hear Christmas songs playing in the mall in September- think its normal to eat spaghetti with hot dogs at birthdays, christmas or any other celebration- when you think its normal to sing karaoke at anytime!
• when you sometimes think in Tagalog, feel like you blend in and wonder why people point and say "look, she is white"!

Just have to say I love the people in this country. I love the quirks in the culture (most of the time!) It's home :)