Fun Fact about the Philippines #3

first, I want to say...
I like hugs.
but here in the Philippines, it means something else and could give off the wrong message especially when you hug a male. I asked my fellow classmate about hugging a guy who you really genuinely like as a friend. She told me that "your friends will think you guys like each other." There are more boundaries when it comes to befriending someone of the opposite sex. Because in the states, we give hugs to all our guy friends and gal pals and we don't really think much more of it. I haven't even seen friends (aside from girls) embrace each other for more than 5 seconds unless that person is your boyfriend or girlfriend.

I particularly experienced it this past weekend, when I gave a hug goodbye to this seventeen year old guy, I knew he felt like he didn't know what to do! then it became obvious when he later gave me high 5s when I actually had to leave. (another thing about filipinos: we take forever to leave a party.. and we end up saying goodbye 2-3 times)

SO, to be safe, it's best to just give a handshake/high 5 unless that person is family/a family friend.

OK, enough procrastination! it's monday! adios!