Being a transplant from one country ( Philippines ) to another ( US ) I had my share of boo-boos or bloopers and/or funny memories that resulted either from my simple ignorance or from my American culture naivete. In time, I have learned to adapt, but these experiences surely continue to give me laughters.
Here are some of them:
1. TENNIS SHOES
In the Philippines, any type of sneakers is often called tennis shoes, whether they are actually running shoes or basketball shoes, it is very common for them to be called tennis shoes or simply “tennis”. When I was very new in US, a friend asked me to join in some group tennis, or doubles. When I met the group, my friend just looked at me and silently whispered, “your shoes have marking soles, they are not tennis shoes”. HUH? In my mind I was thinking, “if what I wear is not tennis shoes, then, what is it?”
If These Are Not Tennis Shoes, What Are They?
Okay, I must admit I was never a member of any tennis club in the Philippines, I just played with my co-teachers in our campus, which did not really ask us to wear the right “tennis shoes”. But thanks be for this embarassing situation, I ended up in the sideline, waiting for everyone to end their game, and when the sun set, all of a sudden it became shivering cold, and I did not have any sweater with me, someone from the group who I did not yet know at that time, noticed I was cold, and took his time to take his sweater from his gym bag, and loaned it to me. That was Khai, the rest is history. So, thanks for tennis shoes!
The first shoes above is my running shoes. I no longer have a picture of my old “tennis shoes” which were not really tennis shoes. To be able to play tennis, I had to buy “tennis shoes”, not running shoes, not cross-training shoes, but “tennis shoes”.
Tennis Shoes
We can probably call our sneakers tennis shoes when we are not in a tennis court or in a group who really plays tennis. Marking-soled running or cross training shoes may not only cause injury but also leave marking soles in the court. Tennis courts here in US only allows tennis shoes.
So, when some of my family in the Philippines text me to buy them “tennis” I ask, “what type of tennis? basketball? running? or gym?” I do not know, if Americans will understand that there are basketball “tennis” shoes. :)
2. BUSINESS CARD
I was so used to calling the business card a “calling card”. When I was very new here and was looking for job, I was afraid my pocket money would run out. So, what I did, I would go to nearby universities and would go to bulletins to look for part time job, like a tutor! Tutoring was then my source of allowance while looking for job. I met a student who needed some tutoring in Calculus, on the day we first met at Cal State library, he asked me, “Do you have a business card?” and I was quick in replying, ” I am sorry…but I do not have a business.” 
Gosh, I did not understand then the confused look of that student, so I had to change what I said, ” I am sorry, but I do not have business card. I am new to this country…and just so happen that my favorite subject is where you needed help.” So, we went back to business, and I was so glad he liked me enough to continue seeking my help despite I did not have a business…. I mean, a business card .
Later, I learned that “business card” is the same as what I call in the Philippines a “calling card”.
3. DUTY
When I was new with my job, my co-teachers were very friendly with me trying their best that I feel at home knowing that I live by myself so far away from home. A lot of the times, they would ask me about what I plan to do on weekend, and if I would reply, ” I will be going out with my Filipina friend, she won’t have duty tomorrow.” And whenever I say that, I see the confusion in their eyes, they would ask me, “Is she in military?” And I would explain, “No, a nurse, sometimes she has duty on weekend!” Then, they would correct me, “Elizabeth, duty is usually refered to soldiers in full time service with military, I do not think we call work shift here a duty.” Oh, okay, all I know is we describe shifts in the Philippines as duty and it can refer to any type of work :)
4. How are you?
I thought Americans are so friendly and thoughtful, when I cross their path, they smile and say, “how are you?”, however, the moment I reply, ” I’m good, thank you, how about you?” they already are several arms length away I wonder if they even hear my reply 
. I struggled with that, how can someone ask me how am I without even bothering to hear my reply? So, now, when I am about to cross their path, I maintain my Filipino way of greetings, I smile and say, “Good morning or good afternoon or good evening” while they smile too and say “how are you?” Just imagine if both of us say “how are you” then quickly pass each other, Heheheh!
But in the hiking trails, I like it more, since they actually have more time to be friendlier, they not only say, “how are you?” but they walk a little bit slower or stop for a moment to hear you say “I’m good, thank you, how about you?” and hear them reply, “That’s great! Hey, what a wonderful day, enjoy your hike!” And reply back with, “you too!”
But don’t expect people to greet you “how are you” when you are in a busy city street a simple smile will do.
5. Thank you.
I know in the Philippines, I used to say “salamat” to the jeepney driver when I get off, but not to a bus driver. But here, people make an effort, whenever they get off the bus, to say, ”Thank You!” to the driver of the bus when they get off, and wave to the driver. But sometimes, when the driver is not good, instead of “thank you”, I throw him a dagger look, and when I get off the bus, I feel sorry and pray that the driver won’t be affected by my dagger look and still would be able to drive safely for the safety of the rest of the passengers.
