Filipinas’ Shyness: A Unique Quality
Friday, January 9th, 2009
Filipinas try as much as possible to avoid the feeling of shyness. This feeling is more of a painful emotion that grows when they failed to meet the social demands of the society. It is a kind of anxiety that treats them to thinking that everything they would do should be well thought of first be acted upon.
Somehow it may control or motivate these women to act only when they are allowed to do so by their immediate sorroundings. This is one of the major reasons why mazjority of the Filipinas still remain conventional. What they learned in te past from their grandparents may still be a part of them up to this day. Thus, conservaticy takes its part in the whole process. Winning the respect of other people is ultimately a part of that shyness.
And that is why foreigners end up looking for these women because this is the trait that they do not mostly encounter in their homelands. 1st world countries tend to be more liberal and untraditional. Therefore, by looking outside of the box, they can clearly see how this unique filipina trait could capture the hearts of other nations.
“Hiya” is the value that regulates the Filipinos social behavior. Just as one is very careful not to be subjected to embarrassment or “mapahiya” one must also make it a point not to cause another person’s embarassment. For example, in asking favor, both parties are careful not to offend the other. So if a favor cannot be granted, the person who cannot oblige apologizes for his failure to do so with an explanation that it is not his intention to refuse but that other factors beyond his control keep him from doing so. (western-asian.com) "