Dutch exec in Jakarta heard praising English-speaking Pinoys

Praise overheard. A furniture designer from Cebu working in Indonesia said he overheard a Dutch business executive say during a worker’s seminar in Jakarta: “It’s easy to move around in the Philippines ... Nearly everyone speaks and understands English ... Even a seven-year-old beggar boy I met on a streetside could speak and understand English.”

Cebu mentioned. The same Dutch exec, according to the furniture designer, mentioned Cebu, “city in Central Philippines,” where he asked a cigarette vendor about the location of city hall. The vendor, according to him, said: “Over there, Joe, over there. Take this street, then that street, and that street, you will reach city hall.”The Dutch said he was amused but, at least, the vendor gave him an idea where to pass through.

Blank stare. The Dutch business exec was also overheard by The Ear source as saying: “Here in Indonesia you ask anybody certain locations, he’ll just give you a blank stare.”