Printer FriendlyFilipino Etiquette - Going to Someone’s House for Dinner
Being invited to a dinner means an honor to a Filipino. He will come with his best look 15 minutes before the dinner starts to show respect to the host. He will bring along with him a present either a gift or a flower to show his gratitude to the host. After the thanks giving prayer, he will not get any food without any invitation from the host. After an invitation to dine was heard, that’s the time he will get some foods that is just enough. Taking too much food to the plate is rude. It is also a Filipino practice to left some foods on the plate and if there’s one food left for example chicken no one will get the last piece anymore.
Once the dinner is through, staying in the table for about 5-10 minutes to have few conversations with the host or the other guest is the usual practice. The Filipino guest will always ask permission to leave and say thank you to the host before they leave the house.
The Filipino as the host
After an acquaintance with someone, the Filipino will invite his new friend to come to his house for a dinner. The whole family will prepare some foods to give him a warmed welcome. Often times Filipinos prefer buffet style of serving. This dining order will allow the visitors to take their utensils and serve themselves. Fine dining is also practice in more formal occasion. It is also a practice of the Filipinos to pack some foods for their visitors to bring home. The foods are not from the left overs but it was packed separately and usually it is there best menu. This is a sign that they are very thankful for your visit and happy to meet you.
“Hiya” (shame)
“Hiya” is always in mind of most Filipinos in going to a dinner. They tend to act accordingly because of “hiya”. However this hiya (shame), if too much can hinder their social growth. Some tend to neglect invitations due to “hiya”. When they feel acquainted with the host, Filipinos are good conversationalist and easy to get along with.
Basic Greetings
| Good morning | Magandang umaga |
| Good noon | Magandang tanghali |
| Good afternoon | Magandang hapon |
| Good evening | Magandang gabi |
| my name is FRED | Ang pangalan ko ay FRED |
| I am FRED | Ako si FRED |
| what's your name? | Anong pangalan mo? |
| Please | Paki |