Pinoys Are Unhappy Because Of Unrealistic Expectations

happy_filipinos

They say that Filipinos are a happy people. Well, I’m going to call bullshit on that because honestly, they may smile but the smile is either them pretending to be okay or worse, a sign of their own delusion. Their own way of convincing themselves that their problems will just solve themselves. To be honest, the whole claim of Filipinos being a “resilient” people is nothing more than a lie since they are all too often the kind of people who will be the first to scatter at the sign of trouble and betray their own to the enemy when it suits them as proven to us by the Aquino family time and time again.

However, just why is it that Filipinos can’t find true happiness?

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Well, I’ve already said my piece about honesty so now I’m going to tell you possibly the second biggest reason Pinoys aren’t happy: “Expectation”

Thing is, as my counselor told me and as I’ve learned time and time again, one of the chief reasons of unhappiness and discontentment is the excessive amounts of expectation they tend to have. Now, it’s okay to expect good results out of hard work and a hefty reward for a difficult or dangerous task. However, it’s an entirely different story to demand big things for the smallest of efforts.

The sad truth is that a lot of Filipinos are immature at heart and have the expectations of young children. Based on what I’ve observed, this kind of expectation easily ties in with Pinoys’ fairy tale mindset and magical thinking, believing that they will be granted privileges and gifts for lackluster efforts. Worse, there are those who are too entitled to understand that the best things in life are usually only given to those willing to make the effort for them and are not simply handed out like cheap candy.

As I’ve come to observe, most crimes in the Philippines are all too often the result of this excessive expectation. People expect too much from life and, when life refuses to give them what they want, they steal and, when people resist, they are all too often willing to kill just to get what they want. Rape in and of itself is a different, more complicated story but, if you really want to get down to the basics, it’s just a guy who isn’t getting enough action but isn’t willing to make the effort to earn enough to get what they actually want.

Now, you may say that it’s unfair to say that Pinoys are the only people in the world guilty of excessive expectation but we’re probably the only people who are all too willing to take it so far. Indeed, over the years, we’ve brought forth and ousted great leaders simply because they weren’t able to fulfill many of our expectations. In the end, like children, we’re all to quick to dismiss something or someone for their uselessness or harshness even though we’ve yet to fully understand both their capabilities and benefits.

Worse still is our media which all too often banks too much on unrealism to begin with. That’s why I suppose we have many singers who can’t sing, dancers who can’t dance and actors who can’t act and are simply just banking on their good-looks rather than anything else. We expect celebrities to be virtual deities to people rather than the entertainers they’re just supposed to be. We’ve all been deceived by the flash and distraction of Pinoy showbiz to expect everything to be perfect even when they clearly can’t be so.

The day that the Filipino people will find true happiness is when they discover for themselves that there is more to the world than just what they want. That the best things in life come from a willingness to make the best out of things that don’t seem at all that great at first glance but can be made to become something greater by exploring its potentials.

My greatest fear is that when the right person comes along, the right person with the right skills and know-how to get out of the mess we’re in, we’ll be too preoccupied with how they look or behave to believe in them, whoever they may be…

13 Replies to “Pinoys Are Unhappy Because Of Unrealistic Expectations”

  1. Expect much in life; however work hard, to make things happen in your life.

    Most Filipinos do not have goals in their lives. They are merely existing. Not living their lives to the fullest. They do not try to find their talents and skills; and utilize them. They do not try to improve themselves. So, they escape to fantasies of: telebasuras; wowoowee shows; prize shows; etc… Look at people who spend their days going to prize shows; expecting to win some money. If they spend their time earning a living, it would be better for them…

    Just look at those squatter families in major cities. They live: “isang kahig, isang tuka…” And, they accept their fates…

    We expect the same with our political leaders. Just because a person is a boxing champion; we expect, he can do something in our lives. Or, because a person is good in show business; we elect actors and actresses, who are barely educated. And expect them to make a difference in our lives.

    There is no substitute in working hard and working smart, to achieve your goals in life, whatever they may be…

  2. It is deeply ingrained in our culture, Mediocrity is a norm since Filipinos don’t value hard work and responsibility, Pnoy would rather mooch or duped somebody than work hard. High expectation is one of self serving purpose what one can take not of what one can give. While Oligarchs are busy destroying and keeping people poor and ignorant. Pnoys Happiness is simply contemplating how poor and miserable they are.

    1. Was about to say that part about mooching. Filipinos are unhappy because they actually want to mooch, then they learn that it’s harder than they thought. Not available through magic.

  3. Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and
    he will become as he can and should be.

  4. Life is simple really. But not that simple that you became Juan Tamad and just wait for the fruit to fall into your mouth. It’s very iconic this Juan, I see a lot of them on this channel TFC.

    Now the further I got curious the more I learn. One thing that I notice is that there is this status quo that I believe has been there for more than a century. Now what is amazing is that no one really dare to change that. If the people really wants change then they must act.

    It’s like Newtons first law: An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Now, unless a unbalanced force or the game changer as I would like to call it, acted then you will have the change. Good or bad at least something change.

  5. This is the main reason many people voted for Digong. They immediately clung to his promise of eradicating crime in 6 months. How’s that for unrealistic expectations? I’m pretty sure his popularity will drop after that timeframe.

  6. The only way people here will ever be happy is when we guys change our culture.
    Not the culture we used to have, thats gone and been replaced by one dimensional, unempathetic, perpetual bums that expect good and diamonds for minimal effort.
    Look at the current opinion and idolizing fevor around ding dong.
    The belief he will sort out everything, single handed.
    Holy shit are those that do think this are in for some serious disappointed times ahead.

    until we change, police ourselves, no longer bully people that have a difference of opinion then that of the majority then we will always be as we are.
    As for why there is high crime here.?
    Because people that live in the squatters area have no possible way out.
    We habe no role models.
    No opportunity.
    Crime is the only option to put decent money on the table and change your fortunes.
    Whos to blame?
    The people given no choice but a life of crime or the caste system, the culture or the oligarchs forever in power or w mixture of it all and the one dimensional view of the filipino.
    To look after yourself and your immediate family and care not for anyone else.
    Its not just unrealistic expectations, its poor values, porr morals and a culture that is so embedded to keep u in your social class no matter whar u try to do with your life.
    Change is needed but its not from our leaders.
    Its from ourselves

  7. I say Filipinos are inherently happy people and those who say it’s bullshit, I will call out their bullshit. Let me tackle some of your arguments head on.

    1. Now, you may say that it’s unfair to say that Pinoys are the only people in the world guilty of excessive expectation but we’re probably the only people who are all too willing to take it so far. Indeed, over the years, we’ve brought forth and ousted great leaders simply because they weren’t able to fulfill many of our expectations. In the end, like children, we’re all to quick to dismiss something or someone for their uselessness or harshness even though we’ve yet to fully understand both their capabilities and benefits.

    Could you tell me what made you say that pinoys are the only people in the world guilty of excessive expectations BUT WE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WILLING TO TAKE IT SO FAR? This is based on what? On your personal observations of our attitudes and behavior, and that is enough for you make such a conclusion?

    Have you actually talked to people from different countries, especially third world and fourth world countries in Central Africa, Eastern European countries and the Baltic States including Russia, South and Central America, Mexico, Far Eastern Countries, etc?

    Better yet, have you been to any of those countries? What countries did you compare the Philippines to come up with a conclusion?

    Did you know that South Koreans and the Japanese (These are first world countries) are such unhappy people considering their standard of living are among the highest in the world, and they have a well-functioning government and corruption is minimal as well as their crime rates? Their suicide rates are also among the highest in the world.

    In the U.S., many Americans take over the counter pain medication when they feel stressed at work or any stress at all. The suicide rate is also high in the U.S.

    Pinoys, especially those who are poor, can find happiness in the most simple things. I grew up in the slums of Manila. I did not have what other rich kids had but I would not trade my happy childhood with the rich kids. My parents worked hard and they never expected anybody to help them, not even the government. They did not feel entitled at all. They believed in hard work and they refused hand outs.

    2. As I’ve come to observe, most crimes in the Philippines are all too often the result of this excessive expectation. People expect too much from life and, when life refuses to give them what they want, they steal and, when people resist, they are all too often willing to kill just to get what they want. Rape in and of itself is a different, more complicated story but, if you really want to get down to the basics, it’s just a guy who isn’t getting enough action but isn’t willing to make the effort to earn enough to get what they actually want.

    Now, that is the most absurd statement I heard from you thus far. The fact is MOST CRIMES IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD ARE TOO OFTEN THE RESULT OF EXCESSIVE EXPECTATIONS. Don’t you think that the drug Cartels of Columbia and Mexico, the Italian Mafia, the Yakuza, The Triads, The Russian Mafia, et al do not expect too much in life? Do you not think that they feel entitled to get everything they want in life?

    Yes, I dare say that Filipinos are resilient people and so does most people who live in third world and fourth world countries. Did you know that Americans are such whiners? Many Americans feel they are entitled to something just because they pay taxes. Both republicans and democrats expect the government to make their lives better. American feminists demand entitlement and privileges and whine, bitch, and cry about the gender pay gap. They expect women to get paid the same as men even if they perform different jobs. Some of the entitled feminists demand that a woman with a sociology degree should be paid the same as a man who has an engineering degree.

    As for a MAJORITY OF PINOYS, they just want a job and fair pay. A lot of Filipino workers are under paid and uncompensated YET they still do work because that is their livelihood. They do not feel entitled. They work their asses off to earn a living so they can raise a family or fend for themselves.

    Millions of OFW’s go to other countries to work so they can support their families. They do not feel entitled. The real culprit is the lack of labor laws and worker’s rights. Many Companies, large and small alike, do not value their employees. I know many workers who would work long ass hours and they do not get paid for overtime. Heck, an employee can get fired for no reason at all.

    But despite all these, Pinoys are happy people. I suppose you prefer for Filipinos to feel gloomed and doomed because of poverty? Filipinos can find happiness even in the worst case scenario. Just look at Tacloban. People were literally in flooded areas, their homes destroyed yet you see young and old alike smiling and made the best of the situation.

    Have you seen the faces of Americans who whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina? Not one person was smiling at those times. People who lost their homes were miserable AND THERE WERE SHOOTINGS AND LOOTINGS!

    3. Worse still is our media which all too often banks too much on unrealism to begin with. That’s why I suppose we have many singers who can’t sing, dancers who can’t dance and actors who can’t act and are simply just banking on their good-looks rather than anything else. We expect celebrities to be virtual deities to people rather than the entertainers they’re just supposed to be. We’ve all been deceived by the flash and distraction of Pinoy showbiz to expect everything to be perfect even when they clearly can’t be so.

    Oh, so what do you think of Paris Hilton, Kim kardashian et al? What talents do they have? Can they sing? Can they act? The only thing that made them famous was because of their sex scandal video! Do you really believe that Taylor Lautner can act? How about Stephen Baldwin? Tla Tequilla? How about Nicole Richie? Pamela Anderson? Do not tell me they got famous because of their talents.

    You see, that is what is very wrong with you. You based your conclusions by observing Filipinos without comparing them with other race. Heck, I can bet that you have not many people from the different parts of the world. I would not be surprised if you have been to at least three countries in different regions of the world yet you come off as someone who is worldly or a world traveler who knows the cultures and traditions of many countries.

    Here is a fact for you. You know the line of a song, “people are the same wherever you go. There is good and bad, blah blah blah.”

    You know, that line is literally true. If you travelled to different countries in the different regions of the world, you would see many Filipino traits in all of them, and vice versa.

    So it all boils down to the Aquinos. I get it now. You are a Marcos apologist. To you, Marcos was a saint. Marcos was the greatest leader the world had known. Blame everyone else but Marcos. Lol, you are quite funny, my dear.

    1. Thank You ! Light one candle rather than complain about the darknes…too much negative Bullshit on this website !

      1. Fart Lips,

        Negative Bullshit is what wakes up the Fliptards from their fantasized delusions that it’s everybody’s faults but theirs. If you’re a Fliptard, like I am, you’ve already been defaulted to be at fault. Corruption is written in our culture and in our DNA.

        Aeta

  8. Loving a simple life doesn’t mean becoming destitute to the point of eating crap. This is the main reason why today’s politicians treat Pnoys like milking cows. Typhoon Haiyan is the worst nightmare that happened in this country, I would not wish for my worst enemy, until now are living in Sub human condition. Unless Pnoys accept that they are crap in a shithole, they are forever doomed.

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