Eating Invitations in the Philippines, There's more than meets the eye.

After that culture quiz about Food and Eating in the Philippines, someone asked me what is the right thing to do when he is invited to eat ...

After that culture quiz about Food and Eating in the Philippines, someone asked me what is the right thing to do when he is invited to eat by some Filipinos.  Eating invitations need some subtle observations.  But the rule of thumb is, always be polite.  

from foodphilippines.com

Filipinos are basically kind people, whenever they are eating outside their homes and there are people around, they always say, "Let's eat."  Now,  this doesn't mean you are literally invited to eat, they are just being polite.  For Filipinos, it is rude to be eating and let others watch them while eating.  This is sometimes called a token invitation.  Now, if they know that they have more than enough, they will give a portion to you.  That is when they know they have more than enough for them.  Now, if they hand you that piece of food, you must be polite and accept it.  Because that is a sincere offering. 

Sometimes, while inside the bus and Filipinos feel like eating, they would open their 'baon' or snacks with them, even if the person sitting beside them is a stranger, it is polite to say, Let's eat.  And the stranger must be polite in return, and say, Thank you, I'm full.  Or just say, Go ahead.     

Basically, eating invitations in the Philippines can be tricky.  In the first situation,  if you are a guest who happen to be just with a family as they are having lunch, the most polite thing to do is to make an excuse that you are still full or have just eaten.  Especially if the family seems to be a big one, chances are, the food might be enough for them only.  They would also feel embarrassed if you will not be full enough.  So that is one of their worries.  The initial invitation is always a token one.   Wait for a few minutes and another invitation will be coming which is now a sincere one.   Now, if the houseowners believe they have more than enough, they will put a chair for you and a plate too.  That means you have to sit and join them. 

Sometimes, if you are really full and they give you something that you can just bring with you like a sandwich, a sealed biscuit , a piece of fruit or something that you can take with you, simply tell them, can I just take it with me?  That is better than leave it lying around.  However, the tendency would be they will give you more, so simply just say, I live alone, I can't eat a lot.