‘Merry Christmas’ a no-no for BI men

At the nation’s airports, smiling is now mandatory. But "Merry Christmas" is forbidden.

Foreign tourists and travelers might miss the warmth of Filipinos after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a ban on its personnel in major airports from greeting passengers "Merry Christmas."

Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. has instructed all supervisors of the BI assigned in airports to refrain from greeting passengers, believing that the gesture might be misinterpreted as asking for a tip.

Fernandez said immigration personnel have readily agreed to implement the ban, noting it was the Immigration Officers Association of the Philippines that had requested the BI head to issue the directive.

Immigration Regulations Division chief Gary Mendoza said this measure, which some may view as extreme — particularly during the Christmas season — is a significant move to change ingrained habits at the country’s airports.

"Apparently, the immigration officers realized that by discouraging the Christmas greeting, the reputation of their members and that of the bureau would be protected," Mendoza explained.

Mendoza stressed it does not leave a good impression on the BI if immigration officers, who are the first to welcome tourists and OFWs to the country, are perceived to be "gift solicitors."

The ban on Christmas greeting was ordered amid the influx of overseas Filipino workers who will be spending the holidays with their families in the country.

It would be the second time that immigration personnel are banned from greeting airport passengers during holiday season. The ban was first implemented during the term of then commissioner Rufus Rodriguez.

The directive comes after an order issued by Manila International Airport Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi that airport personnel should smile more to display the natural Filipino traits of "cheerfulness, courtesy and helpfulness." The MIAA also appointed a "smile czar" to see that airport personnel comply with the order.