Overhaulin' - why people in the Philippines assumed that?

why people in the Philippines assumed that?

if your coming from US you're automatically rich? My mom got into a car accident and lost her leg so im going to Philippines to visit her esp that shes depressed due to the accident. Now my friends found out and they all sent me messages asking for money and stuff. I keep telling them that I sold my old car to buy ticket and my pocket money for the Phil. They just simply dont believe and its getting on my nerves.. Grrrr,,,

Public Comments

Same here. I hate that as well. Any foreigner will be presumed "rich." It's annoying
Don't stress it. They think that because they might know someone who came back from the US with cash and assume everyone is like them. Some family in Mexico think that too, just because you live in the US and go visit them in Mexico it automatically means you are rich. BUt they don't know that we struggle just and work hard for what little money we get now a days Sorry To hear about your mom. Hope she is better now. Have a safe trip back to the US, if you are coming back.
buy them Mcdonald burger each for them..
not that western people are rich but the dollar, euro, or pound exchange rates are too high versus pesos that 100 dollar is equiv to 5,000 pesos; pund is 8,0000 or euro is 7,000.
That is the general assumption if one came from the US mainland particularly California or Los Angeles area where a big concentration of Filipinos are located. We probably should BLAME OURSELVES esp. those living or working in the US for giving the impression that they are just counting dollars there left & right. Those who give money in the show Wowowee of 100 dollars for charity which is good but this is obviously seen everywhere in the world and they in returned talk to the microphone and told them they came from Seattle in the US or in California. So what do you expect from people who is watching the show which are just garbage collector in the Philippines who hardly went to school that 'wow it is good living in the US' and think that those who are in the US are wealthy and filthy rich. And another thing, this balikbayan boxes which obviously brought by Filipinos abroad particularly in the US is so huge and many. So in an average Filipino working in the Philippine airport watching them, wouldn't it come to their mind that these Filipinos working in the US has lots of money. It is us Filipinos who make our image abroad. For example you who is presently in the US brought nothing much when you visit or come to the Philippines just few cloths and some small gifts for relatives without balikbayan boxes or something, average Filipinos wouldn't even know you came from the US, they will just probably think you came from Hongkong or something. The minute you mention the word ...United States of America..from which you came is already a magic word for average Filipinos what more if they see you with lots and lots of balikbayan boxes with you when you visit the Philippines. Nobody will think you got no money, isn't it? The average Filipinos DO NOT KNOW the real story behind people working or living abroad. I myself is presently here in Africa working so they think I am just shovelling money here which is NOT true. You cannot change the way Filipinos think over night. It takes probably a decades or even centuries for them to understand the situation. Because we are a VERY POOR COUNTRY here in Southeast Asia.
That is a misconception that many Filipino's have about foreigners. They look at it this way: "they cannot afford a holiday let alone to go overseas for a holiday whereas you can therefore your rich," "you have a job they don't therefore your rich," "they get paid P200 per day you get P15000 per day therefore your rich." "you live in America or Europe etc. therefore your rich" Now the fun part is trying to explain to them your actual cost of living compared to theirs or how low your salary is once you have paid your weekly bills.
Friends who ask money and stuff sounds untrue or not real friends to me. :( They could give you so much more than the asking like moral support.
THAT IS WHY IT TOOK ME TWENTY YEARS TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN.
Friends huh? I have been asking the same thing for years. The only one convinced is my wife.
that's their mentality and impression, mine too, before my mom went to US (via petition,and now working there) and told me how life was difficult there, especially now it's recession. anyway, a factor for me why they think people coming from the us is how they dress, how they speak, and the "confidence factor" they show when they got back here. Esp. some damn filipino teens from us who act like a wh*re and feels superior when they visit the phils again. Mga feeling rich, Kung umasta parang akala mo hnd galing pinas.
Yes I know exactly what you are talking about. If they are people who never been outside the Philippines,they will never understand anything you explain to them. Pure ignorance and narrow mindedness. They don't know any better. Its best to keep your distance.
While it is unfortunate that a lot of my fellow Filipinos probably assume that, I DON'T. I think PC's answer explains this anomaly. I guess you have to live with it since your relatives and friends think that way.
Oh my gosh, I totally know what you mean. Unfortunately there are a lot of Filipinos that go home to "flaunt it" and brag about what they have. And also, they think that if you are able to go from one country to another then you automatically have money. But that is what they are exposed to.
Not their fault really. They are fed lots of things in the media and dare I say it alot of tourist that frequent the Philippines tend to show off which does not help at all. If they are getting on your nerves simply ignore them and pay all your attention to your poor mother as she needs you with your game face on rather than being upset at your non the wiser mates there right? I've got the power!!
that is what they thought usually........ i have the same problem because my parents are abroad too, they thought they are sending money on a regular basis which is not true.. when they say that i say "oh really when?? because i am not receiving any!..if they don't believe i told them to ask my parents when they came home.
I am so sorry to hear about the bad news. My prayers for her early recovery. cool down, sister, some are really insensitive, especially if they haven't found out about your situation. once I was in a court hearing, I overheard my seatmate having a conversation, the other was asking for financial assistance. What I heard from the other stuck in my mind cuz it counts." Kung alam mo lang ang situation ko. Malamang ikaw pa ang magkusang tumulong sakin"(If you are just aware of my predicament. Obvious you would voluntarily offer me help instead) I hope you won't call me dumb for my sharing of thoughts.
Omg, that is so true. Except, I live in Canada. When my family and I went to the Phils.. our relatives immediately assumed we were rich just because we were carrying "dollars". One of my cousins even asked if I could give him my Iphone. Is he fcuking serious? I can't even pay for my own cellphone bill anymore because of the economy. It's hard to find a good job and I just graduated. Tapos inaway pa kami ng tito ko dahil lang sa pera. Ugh!! What they don't know is that people here in North America work their asses off to pay for their place and bills, etc. Sometimes they need to be reminded we ain't living a fantasy here.. Sorry to hear about your mom. Hope she's doing okay.