Filipino Etiquette 101: How Do Filipinos Eat at Home

You will always find a fellow Filipino abroad whenever you go to other countries. Although they perfectly blend in with the foreign culture, the traits and habits of being Filipino will always occur. 

So, if you’re a foreign tourist invited by a Filipino friend to come and eat with them at home, you would probably feel uncomfortable with their usual gesture. But you don’t have to worry about it; Filipinos are hospitable and friendly people. Once you get along with them, chances are, you might want to buy a house and lot in the Philippines to live for the rest of your life.

What to Expect When Dining in at Filipino Home

Filipinos love inviting people to come and eat with them. They always brag about their sumptuous Filipino dishes and never stop feeding you, even if you’re full. When this happens, here’s what you can expect more when dining in at a Filipino home.

Filipinos use spoons and forks for eating.

Forks and knives are used in Western food, while chopsticks are used to eat Chinese food. But rice is the staple food in the Philippines. Since it’s a traditional Filipino meal, spoons, and forks are essential for eating utensils, even for casual dinners.

If you need something, don’t be shy about telling them because Filipinos will not hesitate to provide for your needs. 

Talking to each other while eating is a typical scenario.

Filipinos love to talk about random things, even at the dining table. It may be a disrespectful habit in other countries, but having conversations while eating is normal for Filipinos. So, make sure you prepare some stories to tell, from the latest news to your personal life. 

Filipinos don’t leave the table until everyone is finished eating.

You may be considered impolite if you leave the table while others haven’t finished eating yet. According to beliefs, those who pack and clean up their space after eating will not get married for the rest of their life. 

Therefore, you can just stay in your seat and enjoy chatting with them if you’re done eating. It’s one way to get to know Filipinos better, making you more comfortable getting along with them. You might even end up laughing out loud when they crack jokes on you.

Filipinos have the habit of burping in front of the table.

Burping may be rude to other countries, but it’s a sign of a happy tummy enjoying the meal for Filipinos. So, get used to it, and if you burp, don’t forget to say “excuse me” or “sorry.”

Filipinos will always give you packed meals before going home.

Packing leftover food after dinner is also a common Filipino habit, even in restaurants. So, be courteous and accept their packed meals before going home. Don’t worry because these foods are still clean and freshly cooked. You can reheat them at home and enjoy eating authentic Filipino dishes again.

Unusual Filipino Eating Habits That are Totally Normal

If you travel from different parts of the world, you will notice different types of cultures, dining etiquette, and eating habits. In the Philippines, there are unusual eating habits you think it’s weird, but it is totally normal for Filipino folks.

Eating rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

While foreign nationals enjoy eating french toast or cereals for breakfast, Filipinos always include rice in their breakfast meal. Even if they’re eating a business lunch or romantic dinner, rice is always on the table to satisfy their hunger.

Eating cooked fish with heads, skin, tails, and bones still on.

You usually enjoy eating fish deboned or fillet if you're a foreigner. But in the Philippines, Filipinos cook fish, in complete parts, from the head to tails, especially the grilled ones. But you noticed that fish are tastier than the butchered fish you used to eat. 

Eating using their hands is part of Filipino culture.

Kamayan, or eating using their hands, is a common eating habit of Filipinos, although forks, spoons, and knives are used with Philippine and Western food dishes. It’s kind of messy, but once you try it, food is even more delicious when eating with your hands.

What’s more, Filipinos traditionally serve food using a banana leaf with rice at the center and are surrounded by various Filipino dishes. Some Filipino restaurants are even featuring this type of setup.

Eating unconventional parts of an animal.

Filipinos were used to be slaves during the Spanish colonialization. They are usually fed a scrap of meat to live and survive. However, Filipinos are born to be creative and resourceful. They created authentic dishes to make sure that food would not go to waste and was savory at the same time.  

Dipping sauces are always present.

Filipinos have dipping sauces or sawsawan, like fish sauce, for most ethnic Philippine foods. Lechon or roasted pig goes well with a bottle of Mang Tomas pork liver sauce, while lumpia or spring rolls are best with vinegar and chili. Rice is even tastier when mixed with soy sauce or chicken oil.

Mixing ingredients that shouldn’t be supposed to be mixed. 

Filipinos enjoy sweet pastries and love mixing and matching food that shouldn’t be mixed together. One example of it is the most popular Filipino dessert called Halo-halo. It’s a combination of crushed ice, milk, kidney beans, leche flan, ice cream, cereals, ube, langka, and many more. But you’re going to love it once you taste it.

Eating at a Filipino home is like a fiesta.

Once you’re invited for dinner at a Filipino home, expect that everything is in excess. Filipinos cook plenty of Filipino dishes, even if only a few people gather together. Thus, you will have to prepare to unbutton your jeans because it will be a festive celebration when you’re in Filipino society. 

Undoubtedly, many foreigners fell in love with Filipinos because they felt their warm welcome. As a matter of fact, some tourists even buy an affordable house and lot to have a regular place to stay while visiting the country. 

So, if you’re a Filipino wanting to show your hospitality and build up investment at the same time, Lumina Homes offer a selection of affordable house and lot for sale in over 50 locations throughout the Philippines. You can turn them into a rental property and earn passive income in a few years. 

Leave your message in our chatbox below for inquiries about our housing packages to learn more. Be one of the Lumina homeowners today.