Purposive Communication

Every country and community has a unique culture. Culture is the characteristics of a specific group of
people, encompassing language, religion, food, social habits, music, and arts. Culture is vital to every
human because it represents their identity, making them feel that they belong in a particular group.

Ten differences between Filipino Culture and other countries

Number Category Filipino Culture American Culture

1. Non-verbal Filipinos practice "mano po" to Americans practice hugging or
Communication show respect to elders (lola, kissing on the cheek (beso-beso)
tito, uncle & parents). It is as a sign of respect when they
usually done when visiting an see an older person. It is usually
elder or upon entering a house done during family gatherings.
or gathering.
2. Non-verbal When eating, Filipinos usually When Americans eat, they used a
Communication use their hands while eating, spoon and knife, and they always
and their other foot was on the have a napkin on their chest in
top of the chair. Often this kind case something would fall. They
of culture or practice is labeled usually have different kinds of
as unsuitable for table plates for specific foods like soup
manners. bowls and so on.
3. Verbal Filipinos used "Ate or Kuya" Americans used the first name of
Communication when addressing their older their brothers or sisters
brothers and sisters as a sign of regardless of the person is older
respect. than them.
Number Category Filipino Culture Korean or Japan
4. Non-verbal Filipinos, when slurping a soup, Japanese or Korean slurping a
Communication it should be silent because soup with a sound symbolizes
people would consider it that a person is enjoying their
inappropriate. meal or the person finds the dish
yummy.
5. Verbal Filipinos used the modern ABC Korean and Japanese don't use
Communication as the alphabet, and most of the ABC, but they have Hangeul
them speak English as their first for Korean, while Japanese used
language aside from Tagalog. three alphabets: hiragana,
katakana, and kanji.
6. Non-verbal Eye contact for Filipinos is In Japanese culture, people are
normal, especially when taught not to maintain eye
someone is talking. It is a sign contact with others because too
that a person is listening well much eye contact is often
or showing interest in the considered disrespectful.
person.
Number Category Filipino Culture Thailand
7. Non-verbal When Filipinos are pointing In Thailand, pointing something
Communication direction, they used their with your feet or mouth is
mouth to point something. considered very impolite. The
Usually, this kind of gesture feet should only be used for
 causes miscommunication with walking. Don’t sit with your feet
other people. pointing at someone.
Number Category Filipino Culture Saudi Arabia
8. Non-verbal Filipino men and women Arab/Muslim men do exchange
communication exchange greetings with greetings through handshake.
physical contact such as However, Muslims generally do
handshakes. not make physical contact with
members of the opposite gender.
Therefore, when greeting a Saudi
of the opposite gender, it is best
practice to simply greet them
verbally with a nod of the head
and wait to see if they feel
comfortable extending their
hand.
9. Verbal Swearing may be common in Swearing is very uncommon in
Communication Philippines however it is still Saudi culture and thought to
acknowledge as bad behavior indicate a lack of decorum. If
when someone swears. someone does swear, it is usually
However, Filipinos sometimes said in the form of a curse (e.g.
swear as a form of expression. “May God curse your family”).
Similarities
Number Category Filipino Culture Countries
10. Verbal Filipinos used ate and kuya to Koreans used oppa to address
address their older brothers older males and unni for older
and sisters. females.
11. Verbal Filipinos used po and opo to In Thailand, say "kha" for the girls
express politeness, and also, it and "kap" for the boys. "Na" is
is a symbol of respect towards another expression that can be
the elders. used at the end of each sentence.
These words don't mean
anything, but using them to
complete a sentence shows how
polite you are.
12. Non-verbal Filipinos especially men, greets In Saudi Arabia, the most
with a soft handshake and common form of greeting is a
accompanies it with a smile. handshake and the phrase
“Assalaam ‘alaikum” (May peace
be upon you), to which the reply
is “Wa ‘alaikum assalaam” (And
peace be upon you).
13. Verbal When Filipinos talk towards Saudi men may speak loudly with
Communication their friends and families they a rising tone. This is seen as a
often talk loud and happy. positive characteristic rather than
However, when they talk to a negative one. Indeed,
strangers or acquaintances ‘shouting’ can indicate sincerity
they don’t talk loudly, and engagement in the
 especially upon visiting another conversation, not necessarily
country or out on the public anger or hostility. Saudi women
areas. are expected to be quieter and
more reserved.

References:

https://comm10t2.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/summative-activity-for-module-5-communicative-
behavior-of-filipinos-in-public-places/

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/11-things-you-should-know-about-the-filipino-
culture/

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/saudi-arabian-culture/saudi-arabian-culture-communication#saudi-
arabian-culture-communication