Last November I wrote an article “Living under a Microscope”. In that article I said I had not met any foreigner I did not like.
Well, as time goes on, and you get to meet more people you get to find out what people are saying under their breath, behind your back, or just when you’re not there.
Just as in your home country there are people who are your friends, people you know and people you avoid. There are people you can trust and people you cannot trust. If you are lucky in life you will make good and trusting friends.
As I live here, I am still lucky to have made some good American friends, Filipino friends and some foreigner friends. But just as in your home country you need to be careful with the friendships you make.
For many reasons, jealousy, envy, distrust, prejudice, people will betray your trust or friendships. I am an open and honest person. I know enough not to be rude, but if asked directly, I will tell someone what I think. Some friends in the past told me that was one of the things they liked about me. As the old saying “what you see is what you get.”
Unfortunately there are people everywhere, and the Philippines is no exception that will tell lies about you, about things you have not even said or twist the things you have said into another context.
Why do people do this? I am not sure. Maybe it is a power trip. Maybe it is to alienate you. Maybe it is because they like to control people and situations and you will not fall under their control. There are also people who will love to brag, but if you mention things they openly talk about, you’re at fault.
To me, if you want something kept a secret, keep it secret. Also I will tell my wife, family or friends, if you want to tell me something and it is not to be shared, tell me.
As I said in the older article, there is a smaller group of people here to make friends with but, just as everywhere else, you need to be careful with who you associate with and what you tell them about yourself. There might be someone out there wanting to slander or twist what you have said.
I am not perfect and had said something about a friend that was misunderstood. I am glad he came to me, told me what he heard and let me explain what I said and what I meant saying it. I think and hope that cleared up the problem. This person I like and respect and never wanted to upset him or think less of me.
But, sometimes what you hear is obviously mean and nasty. Even then, because of the smaller foreigner community, you need to just learn, associate but keep a cooler distance from the few you cannot trust.
Let me know what you think.
Well, as time goes on, and you get to meet more people you get to find out what people are saying under their breath, behind your back, or just when you’re not there.
Just as in your home country there are people who are your friends, people you know and people you avoid. There are people you can trust and people you cannot trust. If you are lucky in life you will make good and trusting friends.
As I live here, I am still lucky to have made some good American friends, Filipino friends and some foreigner friends. But just as in your home country you need to be careful with the friendships you make.
For many reasons, jealousy, envy, distrust, prejudice, people will betray your trust or friendships. I am an open and honest person. I know enough not to be rude, but if asked directly, I will tell someone what I think. Some friends in the past told me that was one of the things they liked about me. As the old saying “what you see is what you get.”
Unfortunately there are people everywhere, and the Philippines is no exception that will tell lies about you, about things you have not even said or twist the things you have said into another context.
Why do people do this? I am not sure. Maybe it is a power trip. Maybe it is to alienate you. Maybe it is because they like to control people and situations and you will not fall under their control. There are also people who will love to brag, but if you mention things they openly talk about, you’re at fault.
To me, if you want something kept a secret, keep it secret. Also I will tell my wife, family or friends, if you want to tell me something and it is not to be shared, tell me.
As I said in the older article, there is a smaller group of people here to make friends with but, just as everywhere else, you need to be careful with who you associate with and what you tell them about yourself. There might be someone out there wanting to slander or twist what you have said.
I am not perfect and had said something about a friend that was misunderstood. I am glad he came to me, told me what he heard and let me explain what I said and what I meant saying it. I think and hope that cleared up the problem. This person I like and respect and never wanted to upset him or think less of me.
But, sometimes what you hear is obviously mean and nasty. Even then, because of the smaller foreigner community, you need to just learn, associate but keep a cooler distance from the few you cannot trust.
Let me know what you think.
