On my third week of staying on this multi-racial-filled-country Qatar, I had this impression on how these people "judge" me being a Filipino. The descriptions are based on a number of experiences as I interact with the people here.
HARDWORKING . During my one-week training at Doha Clinic Hospital as a medical technologist, Ive heard comments coming from indians that I work like a typical Filipino; finishes the work first before chatting, and works on things following a smooth system. Most employers here even prefers Filipino workers for the same reason mentioned.
SUPER THRIFT. I happen to rode a taxi with a driver who refused to use his meter. Of course, I complained about it and told him that Im willing to pay how much my travel would cost as long as it appears on the meter. He reasoned out that 10QAR would be enough based on the distance from my point of origin to my desired place of drop off. After few arguments, I convinced him to use his meter with a comment saying "ah Filipinos"
GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKERS. Without a doubt, aside from British people around, Filipinos communicate using the english language fluently and correctly. Though they (Indians,Qatari,Egyptians) know how to speak english, they use words that shouldnt be used and often drops off articles in the sentence. To top all that, they even have a hard accent making their english worse.
SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. I have felt the discrimination during my short stay here. Various instances would prove my claim. On one instance I was on the information desk in a private hospital to inquire where the HR office is, I stand infront of the desk facing a qatari-receptionist. Though I arrived first and ask questions first, she halted me and proritized an Egyptian who came later than me. My height and friendly look might be a factor.
The Philippines has been a factory of workers, a large pool of cheap human resouce. I hate to admit this but we really are being so dependent on other nations in order for us to survive. Thoughts about how poor the Philippines is weakens me.
Even though how poor we are as a nation, I am still proud to be a Filipino (theres nothing I could do about it). Most of us are well educated and smart! Well, Filipinos are more than what meets the eyes!
HARDWORKING . During my one-week training at Doha Clinic Hospital as a medical technologist, Ive heard comments coming from indians that I work like a typical Filipino; finishes the work first before chatting, and works on things following a smooth system. Most employers here even prefers Filipino workers for the same reason mentioned.
SUPER THRIFT. I happen to rode a taxi with a driver who refused to use his meter. Of course, I complained about it and told him that Im willing to pay how much my travel would cost as long as it appears on the meter. He reasoned out that 10QAR would be enough based on the distance from my point of origin to my desired place of drop off. After few arguments, I convinced him to use his meter with a comment saying "ah Filipinos"
GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKERS. Without a doubt, aside from British people around, Filipinos communicate using the english language fluently and correctly. Though they (Indians,Qatari,Egyptians) know how to speak english, they use words that shouldnt be used and often drops off articles in the sentence. To top all that, they even have a hard accent making their english worse.
SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. I have felt the discrimination during my short stay here. Various instances would prove my claim. On one instance I was on the information desk in a private hospital to inquire where the HR office is, I stand infront of the desk facing a qatari-receptionist. Though I arrived first and ask questions first, she halted me and proritized an Egyptian who came later than me. My height and friendly look might be a factor.
The Philippines has been a factory of workers, a large pool of cheap human resouce. I hate to admit this but we really are being so dependent on other nations in order for us to survive. Thoughts about how poor the Philippines is weakens me.
Even though how poor we are as a nation, I am still proud to be a Filipino (theres nothing I could do about it). Most of us are well educated and smart! Well, Filipinos are more than what meets the eyes!
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