I believe the flag of the Philippines is supposed to be
somewhere beside the flag of the Bahamas in the side of the ship since 90% of
the population in the ship is Filipino.
I have heard more Filipinos talking using the “Visaya”
dialect than the actual Tagalog language.. And the fact that some other
foreigners know some words in the dialect that I have never heard of.
The Internet is a luxury. $20 for 220 mins. (Fair
connection)
Sleeping in the top bunk is somehow an initiation for new
hires.
At first, you’ll find the top bunk small and uncomfortable,
but soon enough, due to stress at work and a few bottles of beer.. Eventually
you wouldn’t mind…
Literally, every time I state the fact (I only tell when
asked) that I spent my internship in the States, and that I studied at CSB, the
next thing I’ll hear will all be about why the hell did I consider working in a
cruiseship, how people would kill for that opportunity to work in America and
why I never came back (different story, not related to professional matters)
Rooming with people old enough to be your fathers can
somehow turn out to be a knock in my head to be a “man”
Working with people old enough be my fathers makes me
realize how lucky I am to have been this young earning the same salary as
people more than 20 years older than me.
Every night before I go to sleep, literally… my cabinmates
are watching endless movies featuring their one and only idol…. Robin Padilla..
as im writing this, they are watching Robin and Joyce Jimenez..
I got to see a scene in a movie when BB Gandang Hari was
still Rustom Padilla and in the scene he is trying to make out with a girl,
then punched her in the groin when she refused.. I couldn’t imagine.
Crab Mentality is the most common Filipino trait in the
workplace.. next to Patriotism.. “Mayabang yang si ano” “akala mo kung sino
yang si ano” “sipsip yang si ano”… then “Iba talaga pinoy ano?”
I never hear my name anymore, its always gonna be “Do”
“Dong” “Bai” “Kar” “Pare” “Tropa” “Bords” “Ser” “Papi”
Softdrinks ($1.50) is more expensive than Beer (Bud, Corona,
Heineken @ $1 each)
My workplace is ruled by Jamaicans (Executive Sous, Sous,
Tournant)
“I will eat” is now “Chopchop” pointing to my mouth and “I
need to go to the bathroom” is now “PeePee” pointing to my pet down there.
Majority of my seniors are Indians, senior in terms of time
in the ship..
Regardless of my personal grudge against Indians, some of
them really get into my nerves... some of them love to feed of my little
mistakes..
Tone of voice and intonation clearly is a difference maker
in communication, especially with Indians.
Some Indians are really nice.
Indonesian girls are gifted.
Indonesians call fellow Indonesians “Sayang”
Employees with multiple flags in their plates speak
different kinds of languages.
South African employees are flattered when I address them as
“sir” and “ma’am”
There is a country called “Mauritius”
I was in the carving station when someone was holding up
their thumb in front of me, I thought he was acknowledging my work so I thanked
him, giving him a confused look as well.. little did I know that some cultures
count using their thumb as the number 1.
Apple products are considered as their rewards to their hard
work.
The crew mess has a station lined up with Filipino dishes
everyday.
The sun sets at around 11pm and rises around 2 and 3.. Since
I arrived in Europe, I never saw the dark sky yet…
My elders do not want me to use “Po” and “Opo”
It is really hard to say no to a Russian girl smiling while
requesting something.
Foreigners love it when my Filipino colleagues make a fool
out of themselves, earning them a ticket to their cabins.
Condoms are free.
Befriending some gay colleagues could be of really good use.
(Linens, Laundry, Pillows etc.)
Befriending superiors (Sous, tournant, officers etc) is
highly advisable for a more comfortable life onboard.
My Spanish pick up lines actually work.
My French suck, but is somehow understandable.
They could not believe that I speak good English.
Almost all foreigners know the Filipino curse words.
1 beer a night relieves you of your whole days’ stress.
So far (in my knowledge), I’m the youngest crew onboard.
Age is just a number
Somehow, you will learn how to fit two people in a small
bunk.
Noise management must be practiced..
TO BE CONTINUED…
