The Six Most Annoying Types of OFWs

msgayeta

Are you  a new Overseas Filipino Worker ( OFW )  ?  Are you  joining  the diaspora  ?  Prepare to meet   different  types  of  kababayans  out there .  Don’t worry  , most  OFWs  are  decent , nice and  helpful people . They will be eager to  give you a hand   , from finding a bargain  to overcoming a homesick heart .  However  , there are some who can be a pain in  the neck. They can make you uncomfortable , and in some cases , they can get you into trouble  . Know  who they are   and be prepared to deal with them .  

1.      1. The “ Bag of Wind  ” . OFWs  with inflated ego  and delusions  of self-importance . First , there are the “ oldies ”. They are not necessarily old , but they   “got there first.”   Maybe ,  they have been working in that country  for  a   decade or  a year---it does not matter --- but what matters to them is that they got there  before YOU did . And that makes them cocky  .  “ The boss asked for MY opinion .” “  I will be sent by the company  to the Timbuktu conference . ”  “ This new office chair  was bought for ME  “ .   Yes -- I , ME and MY --- those  are the only pronouns they know.  They will  show  you   that they are a force to be reckoned with  and that you  better be nice to them .

          Then,  there are  the  “ newbies” .  They are the newcomers  who , like the “ oldies” ,  like to boast . Swaggering like smart-alecks , they blurt   out  lines  insinuating that  they are   the best  guys    the company   now has .    

        Deal with them tactfully . You can give them the compliment they always fish for . But eventually , you can just  ignore  the brag . Nothing hurts their ego more than being ignored.  Give a little smile , though.

2.     2. The “ Ultra  Tightfist ”  OFWs  who  would do everything in their mortal power  to save and keep their own money --- at the expense of other people .  Here are their dirty tactics  . First , they “ always ”  run out of  loose change  or money of small denomination for the taxi  or for small purchases .  Or they  always “ forget”  their  wallet, and then borrow  a small  amount  from you . One riyal , half-dinar , one dollar .  Of course , they never pay you back . And because  it’s embarrassing to collect a small amount  ---  yes , that’s the trap ---you choose to let it pass.   After a month  ,  they stupidly  assume that you have forgotten  and then,  borrow  from   you again.

              And are you wondering why your shampoo  bottle is getting lighter faster than a speeding  bullet ?  No , you didn’t spill it . Your stingy housemate is using  it to save her   own !  And have you noticed ? Whenever she has  to make an “ important “ phone call , her  phone  either has a  low battery or  has  no load. So , she  borrows  your phone to make that  “ urgent  call” ( which is about getting a facial at a spa ) .  She offers to  pay you something  for the call --- but of course , you don’t accept it.  She knows you won’t. And do you remember  ? The other day , she  didn’t buy snacks from the cafeteria because  she  was   “ on a diet ”--- but  when you   offered   her  your own sandwich , she grabbed it like a starving beggar .  

        Well , we’re talking about hard-earned money here . You left your family because of that money .Don’t let  some  pennypinching  kababayan  play games  with it.  Wait for a week or two  , --- then collect . Well , you can come up with a  creative excuse ( I need that one riyal  to buy some peanuts . ) Or just say it straight . ( Can I have the half-dinar you borrowed  for me two weeks ago ? Yes , emphasize the time .  ) Another tip :    don’t leave your shampoo   and other stuff in common areas. Keep them in a  portable utility box or a small  pail  that you can put under your bed.   Don’t feel guilty or embarrassed . Remember , you are sacrificing  a lot  for  money. 

3.    3.   The “ Bootlicker  or  Sychopant ” –  We have the exact word:  sipsip.  Well , we all need to survive .  We  usually need to be politically correct to  keep our jobs.  There’s nothing wrong with that . But when people resort to  excessive asshole kissing or bootlicking , that is so annoying !  They always flatter the boss. “ You look so beautiful, madam ! ” ( even if  she looks like a  cross-breed between a pitbull and a Persian cat ) . They bake cookies and cakes for the boss ( who owns  two pastry  shops ) They buy presents  for him ( from his own souvenir shop ) .  They offer to massage his back ( and other parts of his anatomy ).These are dangerous OFWs ----- because in many cases, they manage to “ hypnotize “ the boss  who eventually believes whatever they say about other people ---including you .  So , you have to watch your back !

4.       4.   The “ Over-Flirtatious and Promiscuous  "  – OFWs  who have problems controlling their groin area.  Well , there’s nothing wrong with a little flirting  here and there--- if you are single . It can even help you cope with life overseas. But some of our kababayans  are just  going too far.  Women in this category  contrive  ways to  bait a hunk--- from faking  drowning  to faking an   overtime so that they can be alone with that  guy in the office.  ( They won’t fake choking  because that looks ugly ) . They can not  stay put  in the presence of handsome men.  They fidget , they squirm , they gyrate . Away from the prying eyes of  the old folks  in the Philippines , they spin out of control . You’ll  surely get  embarrassed  if you go out with them.

                  Maybe it’s their raging hormones ,or loneliness , or deep psychological issues.  OFWs  like them , whether men or women  ,  are in constant  need for the attention of the opposite sex ( or same sex )  and easily get into illicit relationships.  They  hunt for prospects   everywhere : in the office , at the park  , at the supermarket, and of course , in bars .

    If they are  married back home , they would invent stories of  marital dispute . A nagging wife,   an abusive husband , or a domineering mother-in-law.  Whether the marital  conflict  is true or not does not really matter . These people  are simply  justifying  their  adulterous  acts  and reckless  behavior.

Flirtatious and promiscuous OFWs   always get  into trouble .The effects  of what they do are usually  serious  and irreversible : career  problems, broken families and HIV-AIDS .  

Stay away from them . You don’t need them as friends . They will gradually pull you down in the same  disgusting mudhole they are in. Never forget what grandma said  about playing with fire.  

5.    5.   The  “ Nosy Rumor-monger”  -  OFWs who live to gossip . They have    eyes as sharp as an  eagle’ s  and  tongues  as deadly as a viper’s .  They  snoop  for issues :  from an ugly  handbag  to “ who’s dating who” .  They tiptoe  behind you ,  pull you to the toilet  cubicle or to the kitchen  , and then dish out  the juiciest gossips :  Peter has been scolded by the boss ;   Jane  is wearing a borrowed dress ,  which  looks so lousy anyway  ; Vicky’s husband  has squandered all the remittance on his kabit  ( mistress ) ---- blah blah blah.

              How do you deal with them ? If you  are new , smile politely  but DON’t  say anything !  Never , never utter a word of approval .  If you show even the slightest  hint of belief or agreement ---  you’re dead !  They  will be pointing out to you as  the source of the gossip.  And  because they are  also   very good  liars  ,  complete with drama and  swearing on  the Holy Books of ALL  religions  ----some will actually believe them.  Remember , DON’T  SAY ANYTHING !  Even a fish would stay out of trouble if it keeps its mouth shut.

6.   6.    The “ Control Freak”.  OFWs  who act like dictators .   First , let us assume that the person is not your boss. If he is ---- I’m afraid you don’t have much choice  but to  be at  his beck and call. Let’s  assume that he is just a colleague or a housemate .  He wants  you to do what he does  or what  he says .  He  tells you how to do your work ----even if you’re the company  nurse   and he’s an  accountant . If he’s a housemate , he will  meddle  in everything that all the other housemates  do: how  they  do their laundry , which mall they should   visit this weekend  , what  TV programs  they  should ALL watch ( He keeps the remote control, anyway .  ) .  Of course , he  makes  the house rules .  Maybe , you can play along at first . But if  playing  along  is making you uncomfortable , then , you can speak with him politely but firmly : “ Sorry , I  have other plans .”  If you are not bothering  anyone , you should not be  afraid to say so.  Be polite with all your housemates , but you have to show them that you can not be pushed around  just because you’re new.   

                 For me , these are  the most annoying types of OFWs . Dealing with these people is not easy. They can get on your nerves but I suggest patience ,  diplomacy and firmness  . Don’t  get into a  shouting match  with them . That would destroy  newbies like YOU .   Don’t stoop  to their level . Try to understand them as much as you can  but  cover your back all the time . YES . ALL THE TIME .   Well , you have been warned .  But let me say again , most OFWs are wonderful people .  Enjoy your life with them !