Blog co-Author: Windy
I first heard about the Filipino “Crab Mentality” only after I started blogging. I did not hear of it when I lived and worked in the Philippines. You may have come across this expression while blog hopping and the Filipino blogger is ranting derisively about a Crab Mentality incident.
Before I continue, let me assure you that if you haven’t found yourself walking side ways, YOU DON’T HAVE A CRAB MENTALITY.
The Filipinos do actually attest to this undesirable and disdainful trait of their culture. Google “crab mentality” and you will be able to find enough interesting articles about it.
Here is a smattering of sources on the Internet that relate to Crab Mentality and the Filipino Crab Mentality
The Crab Mentality of the Filipino people
AS I SEE IT: The crab mentality
In an amazing academic approach (link below), the Filipino Crab Mentality was given a social science explanation.
FILIPINO CRAB MENTALITY : THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MEDIOCRACY
Thus having scoured the Internet for relevant readings I have come to my conclusion. The Filipinos and authors such as above are guilty in maligning the delectable crustaceans.
Look at it this way, in an interview with Harry the Crab. No, I mean a real Crab, I asked, “Is it true that crabs behave in such like manner as purported by the Filipinos?”
Harry the Crab meekly explained to me : “Do you know that amongst our specie, there are some that have pincers which span from 2.5 feet to 12 feet. We need to spread out our pincers just like you humans need to stretch your legs. It’s an involuntary response. The humans cruelly pack us in a bin. With so many other crabs around we try to get out and away and there goes another crab stretching its long open pincers. It will grab anything at its end. We don’t do that out in the deep seas.”
Here’s the truth
So people, especially the Filipinos, what it really means is a Grab Mentality. And of course, its understandable when Grab and Crab not only sound alike, its upper case first alphabet was mis-spelt by some nincompoop and Grab became Crab.
Actually, Filipinos love Crabs. They even have a Grab a Crab Restaurant in General Santos where Lainy lives. Think what would have happened if the owner had named it “Crab a Grab”? Yes, you got that right. He’d go bust in a month. There’d be too many Grabbers and no payers.
Reality Check
What is it that makes the Grab Mentality so unique to Filipinos? The whole world is filled with the same mentality. Name me a nation or a race where their humans are not suffering from the Grab Mentality? It’s a Universal trait of mankind.
So now, how does that Grab you?
B I L L
General Santos Time
I have not heard about this before Windy kinda interesting to learn this. I will have to tell my wife about it. Have a great weekend my friend.
.-= Bill´s last blog ..Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy Call It Quits =-.
[Reply]
Windy Reply:
April 10th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Hi Bill,
Yes, it was the same for me too. I heard of this only after I blogged.
You too Have A Great Weekend there!
[Reply]
What a beautiful photograph of a certain lovely young lady by the name of Lainy Belle.
It’s lovely to see Windy having his say once more … you have been missed dear friend.
.-= Polly´s last blog ..Sawn off =-.
[Reply]
Windy Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Hi Polly,
Indeed. And Harry the Crab has his pincers dangerously close to Lainy too. Ha ha ha.
Thanks for your kind words.
God Bless you Always!
[Reply]
hi Bill,
.-= josie´s last blog ..Alain Silberstein Replica Watches =-.
thanks for posting, hope this mediocre stops once and for all and to enlighten those narrow-minded who always insist that this so-called “crab/grab mentality” is a deep-seated character of Filipinos.
[Reply]
Windy Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Hi josie,
It’s me, Windy and not Bill.
Yeah! let’s go grab those makulits in the Philppines and throw them in a pond filled with crabs.
LOL!
God Bless you Always!
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Hi Windy! I’ve only been in the Philippines with my beautiful Filipina wife since last July and never heard of the this “crab/grab” mentality. I have never experienced this with the Filipinos I have encountered. I find most to be friendly, smiling, and always ready to help.
Beautiful photograph you have included, also.
.-= Dave DeWall´s last blog ..Hot Field Exercises! =-.
[Reply]
Windy Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Hi Dave DeWall,
Indeed, I did not hear of such thing when I lived and worked in the Philippines. It’s only after I saw it published by a few Filipino bloggers when I first read about it.
And you’re right about the hospitality and friendliness of the Filipinos. You’d not find that anywhere else in South East Asia.
Have a great week ahead Dave DeWall.
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