it’s neither a Luzon trait. it is a Tagalog trait. Ilocanos and Pangasinenses do not have equaivalent of po and opo. There are terms for respect but usually, it is more flike how you say it. I hope people from the south would avoid generalizing people from Luzon. Not all Luzon people are Tagalog and oppressors. remmber that there are the Igorots who are looked down upon, not only by other Luzonians but also people from the Visayas and Mindanao just because they’re…Igorots.

For example in Ilocano, Manang and Manong can imply courtesy and affection. The Tagalog equivalent of this is Ate and Kuya. The Tagalog Manong and Manang doesn’t sound good, it is usually use to adress people of lower status. In tagalog, it would be disrespectful to call a bank manager Manong but in Ilocano, although it literally means older brother, it also can be used for respect and affection(familiar)

@carlo- I think Filipino are just too concerned with titles

@markku- I know you don’t call me Tita. haha.

Seriously though, a lot of non-Tagalog Filipinos are not used to using “po” and “opo,” especially those who grew up in their native province. In my case, I learned to use them because I basically grew up in Manila, though I still speak good Cebuano. I don’t think it automatically follows that failure to use “po” and “opo” suggests lack of politeness. In this case, the cliche “actions speak louder than words” holds very true.

I believe that using those words doesn’t denote politeness nor respect. It simply is something Filipinos were used to.

Just my two cents

@jane- i don’t even know how to use mano.

@yoru- aww that’s okay. Whatever you feel comfortable. But I always feel bloggers are equal

@jozzua- haha you and rico are so guilty of saying “po”

Of course, I’m one of the people guilty of this, and you have reminded me many times not to do that because you jokingly said, it makes you feel old.

I now realize that… I’ve come to say “PO” and “OPO” now to everyone I want to be polite to those I respect.

Pagbiyan mo na lang PO ako kung ganun PO ako.

“Ma’am” and “sir” are a protocol in the military and so I’ve grown to call almost everyone I meet “Ma’am” instead of “Miss” or “manang” or “ate”. And I also get used to being called “Ma’am”.

In my new job, not everyone calls me “Ma’am” anymore, some address me by my nick and some “Miss Mitch”. The funny and quite irritating thing though is when your superiors call you “Ma’am”. I mean, please, I already find it pa-cute when they call you “Miss” instead of your given name.

With you, Ms. Noemi, I don’t ever think I could call you “Noemi” without the honorific. ;^^