Do people in the Philippines prefer British or Americans?

January 15, 2009 7:39am CST
Im just wondering if it makes any difference where the foreigner comes from. My wife didnt like Americans even before we met. But even on a night out I met a French and Belgium guy that didnt like me and the guy who was with me (because he was american) until they found out i was Scottish and not English British (the French fought against the English with Scotland many years ago). So i was just wondering if things exist the same in the Philippines and for what reasons.
11 responses
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
Not really. americans also colonized Philippines before the japanese did and i reall think it was not a good scenario back then. but, past is past and i think people don't give any attention tot that anymore.
16 Jan 09
Im still learning Philippines history and not sure how long the Americans were here. But the Philippines seems to have more Spanish influence what did America bring in a positive light? With the British colonies many people became anti-british within Africa and other nations but when ive spoken to friends from India they are very proud that they were part of the British empire because it allowed the country to develop with infrustructure and education etc. bringing in a new era. Its strange how the same topic in different countries can be both negative and positive depending on who you speak to.
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
I know bout that, i just focused more on the american part coz the man asked for it. anyway, i think americans had more positive attributes given to us than negative. also the Spaniards. If you look closely on how colonization works, it's not really the country itself that makes people's life worst but rather the single individual who have only goals for themselves.
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
we have more spanish influences because the colonization was longer than the americans. i think it was around 300 years for the spanish and only under 50 years for the americans. if you study our history, we like the americans because they helped us fight against the japanese, who wanted to colonize most of asia. of course, they also had their own reasons because the japanese bombed pearl harbor. but the americans taught us democracy, they brought the thomasites, who were teachers. and after being under them, they gave us our freedom and independence.
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
Pinays don't really care where you came from. as long as your a foreigner, you have a fat pocket. you can give them what they want. you can give money to their family, they would be open for a relationship, nothing biggie bout that. and they really like retirees, really on top of their list. ciao
@kissie34 (2294)
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
It seems that you were degrading the dignity of Filipino women.. You must ashamed to your self.. How bad is your girl, huh??
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
i'm not degrading anybody here. i'm just stating the facts, laying out the truth my eyes sees. don't you it? a lot of people probably read this but didn't bother commenting coz they know its true. how bout you?
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
what you said is true for most of the poor people here. they just want to help their families get out of poverty. so even if sometimes, they don't really "love" the guy, they would marry for the money. but isn't it also a big sacrificial act for these pinays who marry for money so that their families could have better lives? for foreigners who are usually "older"/retirees who marry "young" filipinas, they are very lucky to have these pinay wives because filipinas are very caring, family-oriented and would take care of their husbands. whether you admit it or not, your fat pockets are not really that fat when you're in your own country. but in the philippines, you can live like a rich man even with your monthly pension because of our low cost of living. that's why a lot of foreigners come here to retire. it's like paradise to them. the weather is not too harsh for the older bones. =) for the rich pinays, not too many of them marry foreigners though.
@kissie34 (2294)
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
Well, people in the Philippines were friendly.. They don't care whether what you are for as long as you are a nice person and you won't hurt them.. Philippines welcome all those foreign countries around the world for a visit. Filipinos were going to treat you as if you are part of their family.. Filipinos known as hospitable people.. We don't choose who should we need to be friend or who we need to like.. We all like everyone, we are good, and we accept anyone to come and visit our places for as long as they will follow the law and do nothing that can hurt physical or emotional aspect of a Filipino..
@rainmark (4302)
15 Jan 09
Hey Matt i think Filipinoes are friendly so they going to like whether you English or Americans, Scottish or French the important is your a nice and good guy.
15 Jan 09
I think your right.. but just wondering if there are any reasons that people like other types of people more than others. I have heard that before when the women were forced into Comfort women for Japanese soldiers that the hate lives for Japanese. But was wondering if things like the English / Scottish thing still exists where there is still an enjoyment such as if England played New Zealand at rugby I would support New Zealand.. that sort of thing..
@rainmark (4302)
15 Jan 09
I see i understand now, i do hate japanese too because of what they did to the filipino women before. But in English and American, English doesn't have bad thoughts for the filipino because English never invade us or do the bad things to us. But for Americans we have that negative thinking for them but i never generalized them.But when you were in Philippines some filipino thinking you were American not English coz people think there that all white people coming to Philis are Joe's About sport don't worry, we have only fan of basketball and boxing. No rugby or football or cricket.
@jlamela (4898)
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
I am a Filipino citizen but I am not racist. I believed that people from different races should be treated fairly and nicely. I don't want to be discriminated also when there's a chance for me to travel in other countries. Actually, my favorites are England and Scotland, Scotland preferably because its rich history and legend, I love castles and palaces and I love the Scottish highlands, in fact I am busy researching about British monarchy and its background because I want to write a book about British royalty, but my dream country is Scotland. But when it comes to foreigners, it doesn't make any difference what particular country they came from, I want to be friends with them and learn from their cultures and traditions.
16 Jan 09
Maybe you can research my family tree ;-)
• Philippines
16 Jan 09
Maybe the only reason that a Filipino might prefer an American over a British guy is because Filipinos are more acquainted with the way Americans speak. But besides that, it doesn't make any difference at all. Filipinos in general are pretty much friendly to everybody. People from Spain colonized the Philippines some centuries ago, but I can't imagine getting mad at some Spanish guy for the things his ancestors did. The Philippines also suffered much in the hands of Japanese, but if I ever meet someone from Japan, I think I can be friends with him/her. Maybe the reason is because people from the Philippines have more important problems to be concerned about, and we don't waste energy on pointless emotions (like anger towards the ancestors of some race). There are more important things to preoccupy us, like making a budget, and making new friends ^_^
@jhenn22 (1242)
• Philippines
15 Jan 09
Filipinos are known to be friendly and hospitable. We dont care where and what race you came from as long as you are a good man and know how to respect and we do the same to you.
@donsky14 (5947)
• Philippines
15 Jan 09
hmmmm....lol. Basing on my previous job. I get like more hurting insults from Brits than Americans....so.... No, just kidding, we don't really have that thing here in the Philippines...were all friendly, and there's no bias to that, were friendly to everyone.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
15 Jan 09
Hello mattwilkie! I think filipinas doesn't care as long as he is white. We can't even differentiate americans from english or from other europian countries. My husband is american and he is very nice. I remember the time when he's here in the Philippines, we were sitting on the bus together when he saw a white guy, he approached him and asked him if he is american and the guy said he is english. My husband waited for the english guy to ask him back but the english guy doesn't want to talk to him anymore.
• Philippines
15 Jan 09
filipinos like all foreigners. no racial discrimination here. we are a friendly lot.
@janyen (623)
• Netherlands
15 Jan 09
hi Matt, I guess your wife has an experienced with the Americans that's why she didn't like them at all. We also judge people in general but some are also true some are not. You will be able to know the person when you get to know them. I also have personal dislikes of some nationals but I rather keep it personal. But filipinos are very hospitable and kind.