Local Customs/Practices that annoy you

[Bindu1000]

I thought this would help us to get to know the customs in other countries :biggrin:

In Sri Lanka we have this habit that when people are invited for a dinner, party or wedding, they will always walk in late. Once there, the men get together next to the bar and try and to get as sloshed as fast as possible in the shortest possible time, while the women sit around hungry and bored. Finally, around 11:00 - 12:00 midnight, they will serve dinner and once the dinner is eaten everyone gets up and goes.

It just drives me crazy!!!

Since we have members from different countries, would like to hear about the different habits that annoy ...

[avich]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.

[bonki]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.


I also think this is the bad one. When people dont come on time and everything gets late. It is a general custom I think in a lot of Asian countries

[adampeach]

in canada we build igloos in the winter

[scasia]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.


it's the same in Indonesia....
I hate it when they do like that....
we call it "jam karet" or in english : elastic time...
I hate it...really hate it...

[fatcharley]

I thought this would help us to get to know the customs in other countries :biggrin:

In Sri Lanka we have this habit that when people are invited for a dinner, party or wedding, they will always walk in late. Once there, the men get together next to the bar and try and to get as sloshed as fast as possible in the shortest possible time, while the women sit around hungry and bored. Finally, around 11:00 - 12:00 midnight, they will serve dinner and once the dinner is eaten everyone gets up and goes.

It just drives me crazy!!!

Since we have members from different countries, would like to hear about the different habits that annoy ...

K ... that doesn't sound a lot different than Florida. Except here at least some of them will pass out on the floor and not leave until the next day ... desu~

[crazyneil]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.


You noe avich there are more... one is the maniana habbit... What we can do now we do it tomorrow...

Next is some of us here in cebu just cant help but (Tsismis)chitchats or back bites with out knowing the really story about what they talked about and it really pissed me off

[Cho Hakkai]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.




Id go ditto on the whole Filipino time. I hate it when friends arrive an hour late of the "agreed upon" time. :emhh15:

[crazyneil]

Thats why i planned an activity an hour earlier too. so that they arrive on time blehh xD ^___^ And it goes well

[CloverLeaf]

being superstitious is soo annoying.. X(

[jhai0603]

Stupid people. Lies. Hatred. Loss.

[avich]

Stupid people. Lies. Hatred. Loss.

That's not local, that is global practices. http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/21.gif

[bootwhistle]

That's not local, that is global practices. http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/21.gif

Lol, so true! There is no one region, race or type that can lay claim to those or are immune.

Hmm, but back to the threads topic, I've actually been trying to wrack my brain as too what local customs are there in Canada... it's such a 'multi-cultural' kind of place that it's hard to tell what is a common factor. (I use multi-cultural kind of ironicly but that is a topic for another thread)

Well, everyone has to be a fan of Ice hockey, it's a requirement of citizenship, well not really but one would be considered odd if they weren't. You have to know at least one Newfie joke (referring to New Foundlanders who are the semi-offical comedians of the country).

Oh, we call soda 'pop', not sure why... but it seems to cause confusion when out of the country.

Let's see... other national quirks...
a) poking fun at Americans
b) taking inordinate pride in any recognition of Canada (we have the Canadarm on the space station!)
c) poking fun at Americans
d) Being surprised when Canadian actors appear in American shows/movies... but never seeming to remember their names
e) poking fun at Americans (seriously, google 'Rick Mercer talking to Americans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo)')

[fatcharley]

Ah come on Bootie ... the biggest tradition in Canada is "Hockey Night" on the CBC ... desu~

Nothing else matters except going to Tim Horton's for donuts .... Oh yeah, one other thing you have to know is how to spell and what a Canuck is ...

[bootwhistle]

Ah come on Bootie ... the biggest tradition in Canada is "Hockey Night" on the CBC ... desu~

Nothing else matters except going to Tim Horton's for donuts .... Oh yeah, one other thing you have to know is how to spell and what a Canuck is ...

True, but it isn't quite the same since they dropped the original Hockey Night in Canada theme (apparently they didn't want to pay the royalties for it anymore :(

[Ephenyan]

You noe avich there are more... one is the maniana habbit... What we can do now we do it tomorrow...

Next is some of us here in cebu just cant help but (Tsismis)chitchats or back bites with out knowing the really story about what they talked about and it really pissed me off

hell yea i agree.

one time i just happened to walk with a friend of mine and then the next few minutes all i hear is that the guy i walked with was my boyfriend. geez wtf, they all suck cadavre *bleeeeep* in every aspect. stupid gossip mongers spreading false info about me. like, what do they know anyway?! gawsh >.<

im also annoyed at "filipino time"
i was like: "..."
what are they, a VIP? many people are waiting for you! for goodness' sake
i'll tell the whole story sooner or later (if anyone would be interested xD)

[jhai0603]

One thing that annoys me in this country is the strong discrimination between the locals and the foreigners. Most people [specially the important ones] give top priority to those who aren't from the Philippines. Damn.

[Ephenyan]

^oh yes, a common problem among big universities/schools here in manila >.<
we had a fight against the entrance guard because of that. grrrr

[bobobear]

Hmm, I don't know. I can't find one annoying tradition or local practice, people in cebu are too friendly.

I think maybe the filipino time practice. The so called "Filipino time" is always 1 hour late, when there is an occasion where you need to be their on specific time, we usually show up 1 hour later. =D

But I'm sure there are more, just can't remember any bad memories right now =D Will post as soon as I remember one.



I think this comes from a fear of being too early and you end up being the first person to arrive, making you look too eager and needy for a party. Otherwise Filipinos have already adjusted to this, so that when a party is being planned and the food is supposed to come out at eight, then you write down 6:30 or 7 so that the guests will still arrive at eight.

[erikachan]

Here are some of the bad traits that we Filipinos usually have.

Filipinos are prone to gambling and betting.
Filipinos believe in fatalism.
Extravagance. They love to indulge in luxuries even they cannot afford these.
Ningas Kogon – Lack of perseverance.
Ma?ana Habit – putting aside the work which can be done right away and doing it in the following day.
Filipinos are regionalistic.
Filipinos have colonial mentality.

[erikachan]

we filipinos have good traits too.. so don't hate :)

1. Resilience. Ever wonder why other foreigners (like the Americans) when afced with a hurricane, would panic, pack up their thigns, and leave, while we would stay and even throw a party or bathe in the rain. Watch footages of them wading in floodwaters. Usually they are really, really sad even if it's just waist-deep water and the corners of their mouths seem to touch the ground in the ultimate frown. Watch an MGB footage of people wading through the lahar, when they saw the camera, they would smile and wave!!! During the floods just last month (or was it) some folks even took advantage of the flood by going to their rooftops and, with a string and any rod or stick, fished out bangus for their dinner! It's not saying that we are so naive, but we have that knack for turning somthing bad into something good.

2. Hospitality. Especially into our homes, and we would offer them something even if we don't have that much. Relatives, friends, neighbors, classmates, workmates, strangers, telephone linemans, septic tank cleaners, lipat bahay workers, those who'd been called by mother nature while on their way, even mailmen bringing in bills and, not to forget, foreign invaders. So much was our hospitality that others often interpret it (as the Spaniards did) as subordination and subservience.

3. Close family ties. We have a lot of terms for these. There is a term even for the first, second, third, or last child in the family or for the uncle's wife. We have the 'po' and 'opo' - terms that defy translation. And even if the world crashes down, the family is still the place of refuge. NO wonder we are at the bottom of the suicide scale.

source: hendrick(http://forum.gov.ph/thread.asp?rootID=30189&catID=11)

[mlcdl]

Even with that....I think that it may be good but the part of only being a show off is big which I hate the most

[Sora Kasugano]

hahaha LOL,

I truly have to agree with avich, Filipinos really have that trait. to be always 1 hour late. but hey, Sri Lanka is somewhat creepy, the People here in Cebu, Philippines are somewhat friendly

[Viletomb2010]

We have some bad habits in our country(Philippines) Ningas Kugon(You will start something but you will not finish it) and Filipino times(i do not prcatice this one since I am not that person that goes late if there is an actual time of assembly)

[Kurten]

In Sweden we have this consensus mentality. Everyone say that you are entitled your own opinion. Sure, sounds good, in practice however you get avoided if your opinion isn't the "correct" opinion. Kinda complicated to explain, i really hate it though.

[jeiru01]

Here in the Philippines, We have so many superstitions. Let me tell you the superstitions that we have in our province. I find it annoying, and it brought me discomfort while we were staying in our province. When my grandpa passed away, I learned that they had so many superstitions. "You are not allowed to take a bath inside this house" So yeah, we weren't allowed to take a bath inside my grandparent's house. Everyday, I had to walk just to take a bath to the other house. haha, It's funny how they would allow us all to take a bath. I did that for a week. We all did. "Do not comb your hair" One week of no comb! We were only allowed to comb our hair in other houses. "Do not make loud noises" Oh yeah. "Always where your black ribbon" and I did that. In fact, I still have it with me at the moment. "After he was sent to his resting place, we should take a bath at the Carayan" and we did that, they even killed a hen, and poured some of its blood to the water, and, ah you don't wanna know. We almost threw our clothes to the river. Part of the superstition, but the old lady said, that it isn't really needed. We weren't allowed to look back when we were walking to the carayan. Just epic. And so many more. I just don't see the point in doing such things. But I do love the superstitions in New year.

[Sora Kasugano]

that is more like a ritual. not only we Filipinos believe and love superstitions, but we also enjoyed playing those kind of things. and worst, we eve attempt on doing that. especially when brown outs occur. playing games and having fun outside, and even playing and calling the Unknown, weird traits. Filipinos are fund of those kind of things. And I just hate that

[kyoyahostluv]

I think the only thing that bugs me is hearing Christmas songs on the radio before Thanksgiving!

[tambulance]

I agree with Kyoyahostluv.... christmas songs before thanksgiving.

There is a local practice in my area of shooting off guns... mainly handguns and a few semi auto. I live in a pretty bad area lol. Doesn't matter how small the holiday or how common the celebration. Bullets will fly.

Don't know if this is global or just national or purely local.... But if you have a real fancy sound system in your car... it is custom to make sure people half a mile away can HEAR and FEEL the music. After awhile it just gets annoying.

[KarmaOnce]

People just seem to be compulsive liars.. ;]

[Ceres]

@Tambulance: I don't think turning the volume up on a car stereo is exactly a custom or practice, but it is horribly annoying! I once lived in a city where people did this and it was extremely distracting :D

@erikachan: There are a few reasons why Americans behave the way you mentioned when hurricanes occur. The primary reason is that wading in flood waters is unsanitary. Such water isn't clean and it can very easily cause disease (typhoid, cholera, malaria, etc.). I don't know about you, but in America we're taught to avoid scenarios that can cause bodily harm. Swimming, fishing, wading, or doing anything else in flood water is dangerous. Another reason is that hurricanes and major storms like that aren't common in many parts of America. True, we do have a hurricane season each year but it's not that often that one causes the type of damage that international news stations report on. So I think comparing our behavior in such circumstances to how people in the Philippines behaves is pointless.

[lolkaitlin]

Hm, in my family, we always do kareoke when we're together. That really annoys me seeing as I can't sing.

My mom won't let me do residence/live on campus for University next year because my already-married cousin hasn't even started living in her own house yet.

There're alot more that'd probably grind my gears but my mom hates following tradition so she typically let's me do things that other family members aren't allowed to do. (examples: get pierced in places other than my ears, go out and get sloshed with friends... generally doesn't sound good that my mom let's me do this kinda stuff but I'm glad she let's me anyways hahahaha)

[coldground93]

anyway I'm a Filipino...

The thing that I hate about Filipino Custom is the excessive business hospitality or too much costumer support... like when I was in Dangwa (there's a lot of flowers there), when I'm walking up their store or just pass by they'll approach me and ask what kind of flower do I need, and I always reply "I'm just looking"... it's annoying! why not just leave me alone let me look in peace, I'll just call them whenever I found what I'm looking for... but I understand because competition is fierce. Dangwa street is about a kilometer with nothing but flowershops at the sides. still, it's annoying..

and also many Filipinos don't follow the law and go jay walking.. and also those undisciplined jeepney drivers. whose so greedy of passengers that often result to a traffic jam. it will annoy you specially if you're running late.

[SushilovesNori]

Here in Miami it absolutely frustrates me that whenever you walk into a store... the cuban ladies... speak to you in Spanish. First off, I do speak spanish. It doesn't mean that I, living in the United States where the main language is English, why should I be forced to revert to a language from another country (Cuba, Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, I DON'T CARE) in order to buy groceries or get medication? Also, what's with the SPANGLISH? Pick one. English or Spanish. Not both.

THEN you have the HORRIBLE habit of hispanics who invite people over for an important dinner like christmas or new years, or a wedding, and everyone and their mother tears apart your life and analyzes it based on THEIR personal standards. I was 13 the first time one of my uncles went "herpaderp. so. when you gonna get married? I want grand-nephews and nieces already." and my godmother used to nitpick at me every second she got, saying things like "I want you to be able to fit into one of my dresses soon." (SHE WAS A SIZE 0!) I just don't grasp why people feel the need to do that. It's so obnoxious.

[inubazh11]

I hate Filipino time too..
My friends always say "SURE. I'LL MEET YOU AFTER LUNCH", then she/he will arrive in like 3PM.. I can't really argue with them because i dont know what time they ate lunch. Im just thinking that maybe they ate lunch in like 2pm.. But still.. Arghh..

Also.. our local courtship practice in the philippines.. why do we have to be THAT different from other countries when in terms to courtship.. i mean, its cool to have girls from our school to cook for the guy she likes and giving it to them like normal. or having girls to ask guys out. Thats thats the reason why i think that girls in our country expect more on us guys.(or am i just making this an excuse because i dont have a girlfriend.:)))

[misumi]

@coldground93 i think that goes for any countries though...
i mean that does happen to me here in japan...
like i dont like walking into stores because all these sales clerk are like buzzing all around me.. :|

well most all of you know the local customs and such of japan...
so...the one thing i hate is always saying "ittadakimasu" , "ojamashimasu" , and the over usage of "shimasu" , "desu"....
really...its annoying... and too repetitive... :|

[KhenLee202]

in philippines, we are always late and i hate it because i have a habit of being early

[CythilVen]

being superstitious is soo annoying.. X(

I Agree. /no1

Gotta hate the Filipino time.
That always happen between me and my friends when going out.
We planned that we'll meet at 2pm. They'll show up around 3 or 4. -_-

[cherriedreams]

Swearing, getting drunk all the time and having no self-esteem at all. Like when someone says you have a pretty shirt, instead of just saying "thanks" Finns start to explain "Oh? This is so old. I thought it looks bad on me"

[byotch07]

i can say that the "hilot"here in the philippines is so annoying. hilot--- can anyone help me with the english translation.??
lol.!! many old people are well verse in this "hilot"stuff..

[Pyramid Head]

Civil War reenactments. I honestly don't get why people of this state are so fascinated with a war in which Americans blew the heads off of other Americans, or indeed the fascination with war in general. Honestly, dressing up in period costumes, using replica guns and crapping in buckets? WHY?!

Besides, it only serves to confuse me. Abraham Lincoln was the earliest Republican President in the United States. When i think a civil rights martyr in the 1860s and then that stupid nut Reagan in the 80s, i really get confused. What happened? How did the local political parties have such massive changes in creeds during the civil rights movements? Actually politics is also a local custom that annoys me. I'm only 20 and yet i've been around long enough to tell that the difference between today's Republican and today's Democrat is that the latter tries to be a little more subtle in ****ing the working class while they pad the wallets of the people who really control America.

Oh, and one more local custom that annoys me? Patriotic music. Just not a fan personally. Too much brass. Wish they'd declare Rolling Stones tunes patriotic.