Tell-Tale Signs That You Found Your Way to the 7,100 and One Islands

The seven thousand one hundred and one...err...two...whatever...islands? Where else? The Philippines, of course!(look in the world map, can you actually count all the islands?).

How can you tell that you made your way to the Pinoy republic?

Here's how:

• As you tour around the islands, it is impossible not to notice a bunch of people trekking the streets in their flip-flops.
  


• If you happen to drive around, you'll be able to gauge how quick your reflexes are as you try to avoid oblivious pedestrians crossing the streets--at your own risk!
  


• How many Pinoys can you fit in the back of your car? 5? 10? 20? Try a whole village! And that's a common sight.
  


• The national pastime is not basketball. It's gossip!
  


• For once you'll think you're visiting the U.N. headquarters. You'll see a bunch of flag-like stuff(like the U.N. flags), adorning typical homes...wait where did you hang my laundry?
  


• Wherever you go, rice is the main dish.
  


• If you ask for directions, you'll typically get a nod and...directions indicated by the direction where the mouth is pointing. Yup...you can actually use your mouth to point at stuff. Try it.
  


• It's the only place where everyone seems to like you. People will actually smile at you and say hello.
  


• It is also a place where people are rude. Yup, but for Pinoys it's not rude to stare at people. It's merely showing a genuine interest in you.
  


• Nobody minds his own business. Everybody minds other people's business.
  


• Texting through cellphone is the next favorite pastime.
  


• This is the only place on the face of the earth where people are so hospitable.
  


• How about, you're in Asia, yet these people speak your language as though it's their native tongue?
  


• Certainly, this one is the best indicator--this is the only place where most people have nothing, yet they're much happier than most people anywhere in the planet!