Advice for an American teen visiting the Philippines in March?

Im a 15 year old American girl.


I'm quite nervous about meeting my aunt's family and i hope they'll like me. What to bring? What to wear? How to act? Im so nervous! lol


I don't want to do anything wrong to offend them or anything.


advice??Advice for an American teen visiting the Philippines in March?
Just be yourself %26amp; everything will be okay.....enjoyAdvice for an American teen visiting the Philippines in March?
There are many of Americans in the Philippines - and it is actually the second largest country in the world populated by Americans.





There are 110,000 Americans in Manila (capital city of the islands) and many of them had lived here all their lives (and met their American wives here). As such, Americans are pretty much a common sight here.





What to bring?


-%26gt; If you mean a gift or something, then I suggest you bring stuff like Obama souvenirs or American souvenirs (like a California shirt). Filipinos don't value a gift because of how much it cost but because it says that you care for them.





What to wear?


-%26gt; For your personal items, just bring the usual. Filipinos can be fashion-conscious sometimes, and because of the hot and humid weather, they tend to wear thin clothing. Most Filipinos wear the same kind of clothing as Americans do - and clothes here are cheaper than in the US, so instead of bringing lots of your clothes here, you can instead buy them here.





How to act?


-%26gt; Filipinos act like Americans, as simple as that. Dress with fashion and modernity, but remember to act conservatively - for example, no short-shorts (in the provinces), no going out with bras or panties (obviously!), and no nude bathing - I think you won't like these things anyway!


-%26gt; In Manila, Filipinos expect you to act like Americans do - so don't be overly guarding of the way you act. Besides, there are lot of foreigners living here too, so don't be too self-conscious.


-%26gt; Filipino culture is largely Hispanic and American, with some Pacific Island cultural imprints. Many Filipinos are partly Indigenous with mixed Spanish, Chinese, or American ancestry, and are by and large Christians.


-%26gt; If you will be staying in a small house (or in a house where there are no maids), try to offer to do some chores, but most Filipinos won't let visitors do chores.


-%26gt; English is understood by most Filipinos, but you better learn basic greetings to make yourself feel at home! (Hello = Kumusta; Good Day = Magandang Araw; Thank You = Salamat; Goodbye = Sige po)





What not to miss?


-%26gt; Definitely, the malls here in the Philippines are one of a kind! We have the world's largest malls (Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa Mall, Glorietta), as well as designer malls that make you feel like you're in Paris (Greenbelt Mall, PowerPlant Mall, Bonifacio High Street)


-%26gt; The beaches, of course! The Philippines was ranked as the world's number one beach country, and with 7,107 islands, never forget to visit at least one of them!
Bring small gifts for as many relatives as you can. Small gifts are best. take advantage of different foods and drinks, treat elders with respect and kindness. Play with little ones and offer to help around the house. If told you don't have to because of the maids respect their wishes. Treat theor house staff(maids) as they do.


MOST OF ALL---- ENJOY YOURSELF AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.
kumusta po means how are you with respect. we use ';po'; when talking with older people. as you arrive say this to people who you get to meet.





salamat po means thank you.





no need to add ';po'; if you are talking with younger people than you.





these are the most important phrases for starters.





We appreciate foreigners talking little tagalog. If someone would laugh at your accent let them be. We love hearing foreigner with their accent talking tagalog.





Dont forget to try our malls. 168 is one of the places where you would buy things that are a lot cheaper than items in branded malls.





We also have a lot of branded malls. Mall of Asia, Glorietta, Shangrila, gateway. etc.





Hey its going to be a vacation! have fun.
Aside from the other advices, I suggest you learn a little Tagalog.





Like Kamusta which means how are you. You could use that as an ice breaker. And Salamat for Thank You.





And just be yourself :) You wouldn't want people liking you for something you're not :)
u dont have to worry about anything. filipinos love americans.


u should probably have like a preppy attire since that is more acceptable. the celebrities there wear hollister,etc...


also, havaianas are very popular.


u shouldn't be uptight.just be ur nice self.
anywhere you go, just don't be arrogant and show superiority of your being. the locals just don't care whatever you are. just be friendly, but not so super.
just be yourself, okay? you're just like visiting your family from Southern California...
They will love you until you run out of money. Just don't run out of money.
just be yourself...show them who you are but with respect..when you see them, greet them with a smile..wear simple dress..that's it!
We are quite the same age and I am from the Philippines. Don't try to think that we all like money because we don't. If you are going to our country in March, summer time is approaching and March is time of Graduation or Recognition Day for students in primary and high school in the Philippines. If you are going to attend some things like that, i suggest bring formal/semi-formal dress. And as I told you earlier, summer is approaching, maybe it will be hot. Bring clothes that are comfortable with summertime.





How to act? Just be simple. Just be yourself and try to speak Tagalog like mentioned by someone regarding this question.





Chill.:]