🇵🇠Philippines Meeting Culture
Filipino business meetings are warm, relationship-focused, and hierarchical, emphasizing personal connections, hospitality, and respect for authority.
- Schedule meetings in advance; Filipinos appreciate organized planning.
- Understand the importance of "pakikisama" (smooth interpersonal relationships) in Filipino culture.
- Arrive on time; though "Filipino time" is flexible, punctuality shows professionalism.
- Greet with a warm handshake and friendly smile; Filipinos are hospitable.
- Address people with titles (Sir, Ma'am, Attorney, Engineer) and surnames.
- Begin with friendly conversation; relationship-building is essential before business.
- Filipinos value harmony; avoid direct confrontation or embarrassing anyone publicly.
- Use indirect communication; "yes" may mean "I understand" rather than agreement.
- Respect hierarchy; senior members are deferred to in discussions and decisions.
- Filipinos may use humor to ease tension; reciprocate to build rapport.
- Decisions often require approval from higher management and may take time.
- Follow up with a friendly, detailed email summarizing the meeting.
- Maintain personal contact; Filipinos value ongoing relationships.