How to Treat Your Elders if You Are Filipino

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:TreatEldersFilipino
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How to Treat Your Elders if You Are Filipino

Introduction

Filipinos treat elders with the utmost respect. Mannerisms, gestures and language are used to convey this respect for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Adopt an attitude of modesty around elders.
2

Step Two

Approach elders with your head slightly bowed, shoulders slightly tucked in and hands clasped in front of you.
3

Step Three

Always acknowledge the elders first when approaching a group of people.
4

Step Four

Gently take the hand of an elder with your palm facing up and her palm facing down, and lightly touch her hand to your forehead as you slightly bow. Gently release the hand. This gesture is known as "mano."
5

Step Five

Always "mano" to grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and older friends of the family.
6

Step Six

Always say the word "ho" or "po" in midsentence (after approximately every fourth word) and at the end of each sentence when speaking to anyone about 20 years older than yourself, whether they are family or not. This applies even when you are answering with a simple yes or no.
7

Step Seven

Address older sisters and female cousins with the expression "manang" or "at??," which is pronounced "latte."
8

Step Eight

Address older brothers and male cousins with the expression "manong" or "cougha," which is pronounced "kooia."

Tips & Warnings

  • Cousins and siblings five or more years older than yourself are also addressed in an appropriate respectful manner.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Filipino Woven Baskets
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