Math Problem - - Filipino Culture

[LoyalTubist]

This was actually taken from a math book I saw at the public high school in Northern Mindanao where my girlfriend is the librarian:

Q. - - If 10 grams of shampoo sells in a sachet for P6.00 (six pesos = US$.13) and 100 grams of the same shampoo sells for P40.00 (40 pesos = US$.85), which is the least expensive?

A. - - The sachet. Reason:

P6.00 < P40.00

______________________________________________________________

Some explanation is needed:

Most Filipinos only live one day at a time. The idea of saving money is more about saving cash than buying a bigger size because, per unit, it costs less. That's a very foreign concept here. There is no such thing as tomorrow until it gets here. And then it's today.

The second family I lived with in the Philippines (near Manila) let me prepare my own breakfast after they discovered that I don't like my oatmeal cooked the local way (one pint of boiling water per serving, instead of 2/3 cup, with three cups of sugar... and this was presweetened oatmeal).

So I went to the supermarket and bought my own oatmeal, as well as some other breakfast items... I could get a single serving packet for P10.00. Or, I could get a nice big metal container that could make ten servings for P72.00. After finishing the cereal, I could have something to put some of my loose things. In the interest of saving money and having a nice metal Quaker Oats container, I bought the larger size. It would last a week. That was Monday night.

Tuesday morning, I had my oatmeal, toast, eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice, and black coffee. It was great. That night, the family asked me if I needed to go to the store to buy breakfast. I said no, that I took care of everything the night before. Everyone looked at me with a startled look.

Wednesday morning, I awoke to the smells of oatmeal, toast (burnt), oranges, and coffee. I thought maybe they watched me prepare my meal the day before and they were going to serve me my meal my way.

But no, I was wrong... They took it all for themselves. Not having the idea of saving something to use for later on, they had no idea why, when I got into the kitchen, I was so angry that they were eating up my food.

"We asked you if you wanted to go to the store last night."

The worst part was that my metal can was flattened by the kids and put into the trash.

And that's why the sachet of shampoo is cheaper than the bottle.

[pierso20]

Very very interesting "story"/obvservation. I enjoyed the little bit of cultural information.


it's funny because it's very true how so many times it is more tempting to get the "bigger" package because it's a better "deal" even when one doesn't need all the extra product...make me think about what I really need.

[LoyalTubist]

When I go to the supermarket and buy something, I always buy the bigger size. In the Filipino understanding, this makes me rich. A couple of weeks ago, I bought a loaf of bread for 20 pesos (giant loaf) while most people bought the same bread (half the size) for the same price.

Even though I'm a foreigner, I'm paid the same as if I were Filipino. My rent just went up, so I'm going to have to cut down on the trips to Consuelo's (restaurant). Last night I had the 99 peso menu before I came home and learned that my hotel had been sold this week and all the room rates went up. It may not sound like too much, but when you understand I earn just over $100 a month, a raise in rent from $36 to $58, it's a big deal. Fortunately, there is a supermarket that helps me by selling bruised bananas for about 10 cents (U.S.) per pound.

And, if I have any extra, I use it, though I budget it carefully.

[MaryAnn]

I have a very old book that was written by a man who was one of the first "white" people to live with the Innuit. They had the exact same concept of time and property. Everything belonged to everyone; if extra showed up, it was bounty for all. It was understood that if you killed a large animal, everyone got fed, because hoarding just didn't work when you had to pack up every few days on a sled and go to a new site. Time to leave was when you actually left; without a calendar, appointments, etc etc....it really just didn't matter, and they saw visitors who tried to adhere to time schedules as literally insane. They would also sneak into his possessions and take, for example, all his tea if they saw that he was hoarding it. It was simply not acceptable to do so. It sounds like the Filipino culture you're living in is very similar, and it's interesting how it keeps them more poverty-stricken than they need to be, paying the same for half a loaf of bread as a whole loaf. I commend you for adapting to that culture, which most Americans simply could not do.

As long as they don't flatten your tuba and put it in the trash....I guess the oatmeal can thing is ok.

MA

[LoyalTubist]

Indonesia is still like that. If you admire something that belongs to somebody, it's yours. Be careful when inviting friends and acquaintances to your home. You might lose a good tuba.

[bort]

So...no Costco in the Phillipines?

[LoyalTubist]

Makro is similar, though the prices are actually HIGHER than the SM supermarket, whose parent company manages it.

MAKRO

SM SUPERMARKET

I used to go to a similar store in Vietnam called Metro. I got tired of the little packets of cookies the supermarkets had, so I went to Metro and got the biggest box at the cheapest price. Unlike the little packets in the store that had four cookies, the little packets in the big container had each cookie individually wrapped. What a waste.

METRO

[tbn.al]

Makro is similar, though the prices are actually HIGHER than the SM supermarket, whose parent company manages it.

MAKRO

SM SUPERMARKET

I used to go to a similar store in Vietnam called Metro. I got tired of the little packets of cookies the supermarkets had, so I went to Metro and got the biggest box at the cheapest price. Unlike the little packets in the store that had four cookies, the little packets in the big container had each cookie individually wrapped. What a waste.

METRO

I went on the SM website and found a recipie section. Curious I opened it up and look what I found. Hot Dog Cupcakes, http://www.smhypermarket.com/hypermarke ... 41&aid=898" target="_blank. Bill.......come home! Do not pass go! Come straight home, now!

[tubashaman2]

.

[LoyalTubist]

I used to think that way until I came to the Philippines. Yes, per unit, it's cheaper. But when you buy what you need only for one day, then throw it away or use it up, it's expensive. Read my first post.