By nature, we, human beings, often find it difficult to get rid of behavior and traditions we’ve been accustomed to. Besides, “old habits,” as the saying goes “die hard.”
However, you need to make necessary adjustments with your attitude if you want to be a successful OFW. In particular, you need to get rid of bad Filipino habits so you could avoid running into trouble while you are working in a foreign country.
Read on and we’ll explain further:
1) Crab Mentality
Some of us Pinoys have the tendency of taking competition too seriously to the point of feeling jealous and envious towards an achiever. Thus, the losing person attempts to destroy the winner’s image in an effort to prevent him or her from climbing higher – pretty much like how crabs behave when they are placed in a bucket.
2) Mañana Habit
Simply put, this is the bad habit of procrastination. Delaying action on important projects until the last minute can be a disaster, especially if you are working abroad. Remember that haste makes waste and so you should complete your job right away instead of procrastinating and then rushing later on as the deadline draws near.
3) Ningas Cogon
“Ningas cogon” is a Spanish phrase that literally means burning cogon grass. This type of grass burns bright but immediately gets extinguished. Such is the trait of some Pinoys who are seem to be excellent starters but eventually end up being too lazy to finish the task at hand.
4) Filipino Time
It is such a shame that the term “Filipino time” actually has a negative definition. Filipinos tend to think it’s actually okay to be tardy when arriving for work or even for important appointments. This habit is usually not tolerated in most countries as they strictly follow time schedules.
5) Being Onion-Skinned
Or being “balat-sibuyas,” as we say it in our local language. We shouldn’t be overly sensitive when it comes to constructive criticism. Being offended when you are corrected by your employer or co-worker can make you look unprofessional and may lead to damaged relationships.
If you have things on your mind that you considered also as bad Filipino habits that should not bring in other country let us know or leave a comment below the comment box.