...On Filipino Hospitality...

We, as a nation, are known to be generally hospitable. We accommodate visitors pretty well, we smile at people often, we talk to strangers, and we are just, generally nice. Best example; if you're walking on the road or even the mall, then someone stops to ask for directions, do you not try to help out? We just can't be rude. 

On Invitations and Greetings

We have this "nakakahihiya kasi" mentality that sometimes gets us to a situation we're uncomfortable with. While talking casually with people, we tend to sometimes bring up plans that they're not included, and we usually end up trying to invite them without the intention of really inviting them. For example:

1. "Gusto mo sumama?" - after opening a plan that originally didn't include person you're talking to, but it's with common friends. 

2. "Kain tayo!" - while munching on a burger for yourself, with no extra food on the table.

3. "Kamusta?" - the most generic greeting, and the first you would get from an acquaintance you haven't seen in a while.

These are the most common invitations we get. And just because we can't be rude and decline outrightly, we have these following answers:

Replies to invitations to an invitation or event you won't go to:

1. "Try ko." - They probably won't even try, but the effort has to be shown that you're interested, so as not to be rude. 

2. "Text text!" - You won't get any. They probably wouldn't text you either, anyway. 

3. "Habol ako." - Probably won't. But personally, I usually do.=P

Replies to above-mentioned eating invites:

1. "Sige lang, *add smile*" - Nicest way of saying "nakasubo na kaya lahat ng pagkain nyo para sa inyo"

2. "Ok lang, kakakain ko lang din" - But you haven't. Nakakahiya lang makiupo at maging masiba. 

Replies to "kamustahan":

1. "Eto, ok lang, ikaw?" - Basic conversation killer. You'd probably get the same "ok lang" reply, and conversation ends there. Then person pulls out the "pumapayat/tumataba ka" card.

2. 

On Ending Conversations

"Like"

"Haha"

"Oo nga eh"