How to Be a Proper Guest in a Filipino Home

        Because the Filipino culture is very food-oriented, food accompanies all celebrations, gatherings and informal visits. It's safe to assume that being a guest means you'll be offered something to eat.

1. Instructions:

   1. • 1

        Remove your shoes before entering a Filipino home.
      • 2
        Pay your respects to the elders of the household with the "mano" gesture and address them with a greeting. Mano is a gesture in which you lift an elder's hand to your forehead.
      • 3
        Always accept an invitation to eat no matter how many times you have already eaten that day.
      • 4
        Help clear the table and do the dishes unless your hosts insist otherwise. They probably won't accept your offer to help, but it will be considered favorable if you make the gesture.
      • 5
        When leaving be sure to personally extend good wishes to the elders of the household and express your appreciation to everyone.

        
        

        Tips & Warnings:

        • Filipinos might interpret a decline of their food as a personal offense. Many Filipinos live in poor conditions, so when they offer their food, they are essentially conveying that you are worth the trouble. By refusing their offer, you are refusing their hospitality.
        • During town fiestas, Filipinos visit each house in their neighborhood. At each house it is proper to at least sample a little bit of the food that's being offered.