Social Life in the Philippines
WARNING: Terrorist threats continue in the Philippines, please read this travel warning before going!
Behavior
The Filipinos are conservative in most aspects of their lives and this is best seen in their behaviors, dress, and dining etiquette. They tend to dress and act conservatively, much of which is based on their deeply rooted Christian or Islamic faiths.
Most of the Philippines's behavioral restrictions are only found in Mindanao and the south. Islamic law forbids pork products and alcohol, but many people, even in the south do drink alcohol, although drinking in public and public intoxication is strictly forbidden. Pork products are difficult to find in Mindanao since there is little market for pork and most locals do avoid this meat. Fortunately, avoiding pork and alcohol in Mindanao is fairly simple as there is little access to either.
As a visitor to the Philippines try to follow the lead of the locals by dressing conservatively (see below for details), dining in the local etiquette (see our Philippines Dining & Food Page), and avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting noticeably drunk in public.