To Buy or Not to Buy – A Peek into Contrasting Cultures

By Noel Dimatulac

I’ve been staying in America for over four years and have learned to adapt to some of the unique ways of how Americans spend their hard-earned money. These ways are totally different from what I did when I was in my own country, the Philippines.

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First, living here we dine at different restaurants because they are affordable. In my country I had to think twice before swiping my credit card to enjoy a fine meal for it is quite expensive. Again, I enjoy dining out here compared to my country’s fine diners because US restaurants offer big servings, better service, you get what you paid for, and eateries are health-conscious.

Second, it is nice to buy clothes and other household items here in the US, notably when these items are on sale. In my country, sale prices only cover outdated models and products with factory defects. In America, promo sales include authentic well-known brands, giving me a good deal, while my country depends on imitation brands (coming from China) with no warranties. Here, you can buy goods and return them within 30 days, no questions asked. In my country we usually have a “no exchanges and no returns” policy.

Finally, people here work hard and save year round and spend their savings vacationing in foreign countries or go cruising, while my countrymen go to the countryside only during the summer and important occasions. Culturally, Americans are adventurous people while Filipinos prefer bonding because of close family ties.

In conclusion, it is important whether you have the means to buy or not and yet it is more important to identify with your unique ethnicity and know who you really are and always take pride in what your culture represents.

​​This circle is composed of two colors one is blue while the other is white. Blue represents Americans enjoying to the limit all aspects of spending, whether purchasing clothes, food or travelling, while the white circle represents my countrymen. Spending is limited to what you can afford, based on your earnings.

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