MANILA, Philippines --- "The Philippines is among the least rude countries for foreign tourists." That is the result of a survey made by Skyscanner, a leading European travel site.
Other "least rude" countries are Brazil followed by the Caribbean Islands.
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Considered the world's rudest nation is France followed by Russia and the United Kingdom, according to the pollster Skyscanner. Taking 19 percent of the vote, the French have long been known for their abrupt and curt nature, especially when dealing with foreign tourists, which has often been taken as rudeness by visitors, Skyscanner added.
Russia got 17 percent, UK 10 percent , Germany 9.9 percent, China 4.3, USA 3.3 percent.
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Tatiana Danilova, Russian market manager for Skyscanner, says that Russians can be more direct when talking, which may be misconstrued as being rude. "However this is more a difference in culture than genuine rudeness." Danilova attributed this to the Russian language, which is not as polite as English.
The survey result citing our country as one of the most courteous in the world should not make us rest (or rust) on our laurels, but rather excel further in our positive virtue.
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3RD WORST CITY FOR DRIVING. But here's a negative side of the Philippines, specifically Manila. CNN's travel website CNNGo.com in the April 2012 survey named Manila as the world's third worst city for driving.
CNNGo.com added that according to one report, Filipinos perceive traffic congestion as their number one problem, followed by air pollution, garbage collection, flood control, and the need for security.
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According to the survey, Beijing, China, topped the list of worst cities for driving followed by New Delhi in India and Manila in the Philippines. Mexico City in Mexico placed fourth while Johannesburg in South Africa was the fifth worst.
There's a lot of truth in the CNNGo.com survey. For instance, the traffic problem is not getting any better, especially now aggravated by lots of street diggings and road repairs.
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Incidentally, it has puzzled me no end why road repairs should be done when the rainy season begins and schools open nationwide. Why oh why?
Government agencies concerned like MMDA, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, garbage collection department, take note.
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BIRTHDAY FOR A CAUSE. A certain retired lady, who celebrated her birthday recently, requested guests to donate cash instead of gifts in kind and contributed the proceeds to our poor seminarians' educational fund.
"I have so many dresses I can't even wear, a car, a comfortable house, and other blessings." she said, "I might as well do something worthwhile like supporting future priests."
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How inspiring! Readers who may wish to emulate that generous lady may sponsor a seminarian or chip in an amount. For inquiries, e-mail me at: belsvd@yahoo.com.
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Seminarians are our future priests, bishops, and even popes. We cannot have them if we don't support seminarians NOW.
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ST. JUDE. Many prayers have been answered through the novena to St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible. Tomorrow, join our novena at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, right after the 6 p.m. Mass. A healing prayer will follow.
