There’s been a growing pushback to this tradition, however, with more and more people realizing that it’s actually rude to acknowledge someone else by pointing out what might be considered by some as a physical flaw.

There’s no better way to greet someone than to say a simple “Hi.”

“Uy, tumaba ka (Hey, you gained weight)!”

“Uy, pumayat ka (Hey, you lost weight)!”

If you’re a Filipino, you’re probably familiar with this way of greeting by and among fellow Filipinos. Reunions? Parties? Get-togethers? Spontaneous meetups? Expect to hear at least a variation of this type of greeting wherever Filipinos gather.

Non-Filipinos might be befuddled to learn that it’s long been considered a typical and accepted way of saying “Hi!” to family, friends, acquaintances and even bare strangers in these shores.

There’s been a growing pushback to this tradition, however, with more and more people realizing that it’s actually rude to acknowledge someone else by pointing out what might be considered by some as a physical flaw.

You don’t accost someone with a query about his bank account balance. You don’t initiate what you hope to be a fruitful dialogue by immediately attacking a person’s religious beliefs with ad hominem arguments.

Yet questions about one’s weight are always expected to be accepted with a good-natured chuckle, lest you be called “maarte” (a catch-all term for fussy; in this context, maarte means someone who makes a mountain out of a molehill).

This norm is an unfortunate part of current Filipino culture. As well-known director Jose Javier Reyes mentioned in his 22 September 2019 Facebook post: “It is the height of KABASTUSAN to address people’s weight not unless you are his PHYSICIAN or PAYING FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE. And don’t give me crap about this being a Filipino thing. There are a lot of FILIPINO THINGS that are not praiseworthy. This is one of them.”

Here are some witty quips — gleaned from the aforementioned post’s comments — people use to answer comments such as the above and its variations:

“Ako tumaba, ikaw pumangit, wala kang narinig sa akin (I gained weight, you lost your looks, but you didn’t hear anything from me).”

“Ang sarap kasi kumain pag marami kang pera (It’s a joy to eat when you’re rolling in cash).”

“Why not? Ikaw ang idol ko!” (Why not? I look up to you)!”

“Good morning din (Good morning to you, too)!”

If all you mean to say is “Hi!” then there’s no need to couch it with a random observation about the other person’s weight.

News flash: he or she already knows that. There’s a good chance you’ll hit a wall right then and there — and that’s definitely not the objective of any discourse.

So what, then, is a safe and alternative approach? Just say a sincere “Hello!” and start the conversation on the right foot.