Actually, the stares are neither hostile nor flattering because whether it is merely curiosity, or questions, neither are meant to offend. Privacy and the need for it are not valued by the average Filipino. From childhood, he is seldom, if ever, left alone. In fact, a fondness for solitude is often viewed as a sign of mental illness. When discussing his personal affairs, a Filipino is apt to be quite frank, especially about birth and death.
Cars dart in and out of traffic lanes at a dangerous pace, and traffic signs are often ignored.
The resulting traffic snarls are one of the more frustrating aspects of life in Manila. However, such behavior is for the most part acceptable by Philippine standards. Most Westerners find this mannerism disturbing. It seems inappropriate for a pediatrician to giggle as he describes a child's serious illness, or for the family driver to laughingly announce that he has had an accident, yet it does happen. Such behavior does not mean that an accident is being treated lightly, and in fact, it means quite the opposite.