* The art of entering a house

[Kano]

The art of entering a house


Leytesamardaily  aug 7,2013
Daydee A. Cairo

Filipinos have a beautiful way of showing respect when entering a house. The person knocks softly and says, "Maupay." The word itself proclaims something good. Maupay in English is good. Customarily, anyone who enters a home asks to be let in, bringing something good to the people inside the house, such as exhibiting courtesy or bringing some good news to the family. No one barges in and exhibits haughtiness or arrogance. The contrary only happens when the person has bad intentions. Anyone with best interest in mind does not only knock softly, he waits until the person inside invites him in. When he is inside, he courteously greet the people he meets, takes to one side until he is given the signal to take a seat.

It is seldom that the person who gets inside this way is denied entry or is not let inside the house. This is the Filipino hospitality that is known everywhere.

In the Tagalog region, the same thing happens, also in the Visayan-speaking areas, the word "maayo" is used which means "good." Courtesy dictates that people answer back the basic courtesy displayed.

The art reminds us of the ways in which we enter certain places. When we were deployed to our assignments as training officers to conduct training needs surveys in the Tagalog areas in 1985, we were told to pay our respects to the Barangay officials. It was the first instruction that we were made to do, nothing else. Paying courtesy call is the first act that an official does when he is just new in his post. Certain protocols are needed to be done; no newcomer is foolish enough to throw his weight around without first knowing that he is accepted by the group.

It reminds me of the sudden change effected by an organization in the region lately. One of its city officials was changed with no prior notice. It was done on the merits of personal complaints of a visitor. The official was replaced by another one who was not probably educated on the art of entering a house. He occupied his seat without fanfare and in his haste to go to work immediately; he forgot to even pay the basic, courtesy call to his superior. Naturally, certain sectors were aghast at the callousness.

This happens when the government goes overboard and uses every chance it has on politicking. Poor organization, it is getting what it deserves.

Source: http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/08/the-art-of-entering-a-house/

[Luke]

Is there also an "art to invited myself" ??