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Among women, a smile and a hand wave is the usual greeting. Close friends and family may accompany a handshake with a pat on the back. Females may hug and kiss to greet each other. Typically, people greet each other by saying, ‘kumusta kayo’ (‘how are you?’ in Tagalog). If the person you are greeting is older than you but within the ...
- Overview
- Learning the Basics
- Interacting with New People
If you're a foreigner and you wish to visit or live in the Philippines, you should learn how to properly greet people you meet there. In general, Filipino people are hospitable and approachable, and many of them understand English. However, it can go a long way towards creating respect and friendship if you learn a little Filipino or Tagalog, the language that Filipino was largely drawn from.
If you wish to greet people in the Philippines in the same way that they greet each other, there are some easy ways to be polite and friendly that you can learn.
Remember that almost everything you read in Tagalog or Filipino is phonetic.
This means that words can be sounded out. Try to sound it out the way you see it and you will most likely be close to the correct pronunciation.
Vowels are harder than in American English, but softer than in a British accent. Also, all the vowels are unrounded, except for /o/.
is pronounced 'muhNGA'. The '-ng', which is a single letter, is pronounced as in 'ba
Learn a little of the language before you visit.
You can learn Filipino or Tagalog by reading books, viewing television, listening to music, or watching videos. Just like other languages, it is still best if you practice by conversing with someone who knows the language.
In Filipino culture it is generally best to shake hands with someone that you are meeting for the first time. This is usually a soft hand shake, not an overly firm one.
Greeting someone you just met with a kiss on the cheek or a hug is not usually done. This is most often reserved for once you have developed a relationship.
If you are in a Muslim area of the Philippines, then the rules for touching, especially between men and women, may be different. Shaking hands may still be appropriate but men may need to initiate. Notice what others are doing around you and follow their lead.
Consider using a "mano" greeting with elders.
Filipino elders are often greeted by taking their right hand and bringing it up to touch your forehead. This is called "mano." This is especially important to do with ones own family members and with those that are extremely elderly.
If an elderly person holds out their hand in front of their body with the palm facing down, this may be a sign that they are expecting a "mano" greeting.
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Oct 30, 2023 · The term “Mano Po” comes from the Spanish word ‘mano,’ meaning ‘hand,’ and ‘po,’ a term used in the Filipino language to express respect. When put together, it translates as “your hand, please.”. This gesture involves a younger individual taking the right hand of an elder and gently pressing it against their forehead.
People also ask
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Jan 20, 2024 · January 20, 2024. Filipinos greet each other with traditional handshakes, beso-beso, and pagmamano, while younger generations use informal and casual greetings like ‘Hey’ and ‘Sup’ to express familiarity and closeness when meeting friends and peers. Modern greetings trends showcase the evolving nature of Filipino greetings in the ...
Jan 20, 2024 · Key Takeaways. Filipino greetings symbolize respect, friendship, and hospitality in Filipino culture. Learning and using traditional Filipino greetings demonstrates politeness, friendliness, and a genuine interest in Filipino language and traditions. Traditional greetings like ‘Kumusta’, ‘Mano Po’, ‘Beso-Beso’, and ‘Pagmamano ...
Jan 12, 2019 · each day, When you want to say “Welcome, we wish you the best”: Just smile up a smile as you say, Oh, oh, Mabuhay! The root word of mabuhay is buhay, which literally means “life” or “alive.”. When you use the formal greeting, Mabuhay!, you’re basically saying, “Live!” or “Long Live!”. 4. Responding to Kumusta.
Nov 7, 2018 · Just like in most countries, handshaking is a default gesture among Filipinos when meeting someone for the first time. While both men and women greet each other through handshaking, it’s usually the person being introduced who first offers their hand. In some cases, men have to wait for women to offer their hand first.
