Here are some DON’Ts for women to avoid getting into trouble:

1. A woman should not try to look elegant by looking haughty. If she does this, she is on the wrong track using the wrong trick. Instead of causing heads to turn in admiration, she might end up in trouble.

2. She should not wear any kind of clothes she just takes a fancy at. She should consider the place she is going to. There are some places in the Philippines wherein walking in shorts may be an invitation to trouble.

3. She should not be infuriated when men stare or whistle at her. Filipino men show admiration that way. The most the woman can do is ignore such stare or whistle.

4. She should not act like a man if she wants men to serve her or do a favor for her. She can get what she wants or ask what she needs by using her womanly charms.

5. She should not feel silly sitting passively in a car waiting for her escort to open the door for her. Filipino men love to open car doors for women.

6. Upon hearing a gossip whether on politics or of private lives of prominent people, a woman should just let them drop at her feet instead of passing them on.

7. A foreign woman should not isolate herself from other native women. The more she mingles with Filipino women, the easier life in the Philippines will be for her.

8. She should not be embarrassed when asked too personal questions like, “why don’t you have children?” or “how much rent do you pay?”. If she doesn’t want to give an answer, she can just smile and change the topic of conversation.

9. She should not drive leisurely in the Philippines. Filipino drivers are not as hospitable on the streets as they are in their homes so the woman driver should drive defensively. Regulations and courtesies are often overlooked by male drivers. Cars and jeepneys dart in and out of traffic lanes and traffic signals are often ignored.

10. She should not be disturbed by the laughter and giggling of Filipinos during embarrassing or emotion-charged situations. Such behavior does not mean that the incident is being taken lightly.

11. She should not maintain a direct and prolonged eye contact with others. This is considered rude.

12. She should not beckon to a Filipino with the index finger for it is considered rude. A downward gesture of the hand is preferably used.