Filipino Crab Mentality is Bad for Business25 Sep
There is a cultural phenomenon in the Philippines that is deeply embedded in the roots of the nation. It’s called the “crab mentality”. This term is derived from what live crabs might do when they are being cooked in a pot. Naturally, the crabs want to escape the heat and ultimately death. If they worked together, a few of the crabs could most certainly climb out of the pot. However, the remaining crabs would face certain death. As such, when one crab makes the attempt to climb out of the pot, the others pull him back down. This is where the term “crab mentality” is derived.
Today, modern crab mentality involves putting others down in order to make yourself feel better. It is prevalent in just about every environment, ranging from schools to sports teams and business offices to politics.
Unfortunately, crab mentality has no place in the business world because it is counterproductive and negatively impacts business practices. In particular, the crab mentality makes it extremely difficult to implement a change initiative successfully. Here are some tips to help you overcome the effects of crab mentality in your business process outsourcing relationship:
- Do not retaliate. In the event that you see evidence of crab mentality, or you become victimized by it, do not retaliate. Negative reactions will only breed more negativity. Instead, respond to negativity with a positive counteraction.
- Respond rather than react. Sometimes it is human nature to react quickly when one feels threatened or put down. This reaction can be detrimental in an environment where crab mentality runs rampant. Learn to exercise active listening and craft responses carefully. Be sure you are giving a response and not a reaction.
- Create a level playing field. If your company sets up a business process outsourcing relationship with a level playing field, it will reduce the incidences of crab mentality. For example, choose partners that have ethical business practices, performance evaluations, and a solid process for promoting employees. Starting out with these elements in place will reduce the likelihood of crab mentality spreading.
Because crab mentality is in part a cultural issue, it’s important to realize how difficult it is to eliminate. Simply being aware that the phenomenon exists will give you the upper hand when outsourcing your business.
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15 Responses to “Filipino Crab Mentality is Bad for Business”
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Hey guys! I was just wond’ring why too often other people would compare themselves to crabs. This crab mentality is a total crap-of-a-theory! If people are acting as though so afraid of being overtaken by others blame it to their insecurities, not to the crabs! jejeje! There’s no point comparing crabs to men or men to crabs. In the first place, the latter are acting on plain instincts, but the former act otherwise. Well, I think it’s time that you think you’re human. lol
I think crab mentality is being tagged as “crab mentality” to make it a more descriptive and controversial issue, rather than saying it as an insecure mentality, although this may encompass in the same subject,insecure can be described in too many broader aspects. “Crab” as an onset figure of speech can easily be understood, even by younger students.
As a young entrepreneur, i believe that it does exist in business and it is up for us how to play it along and make it to your advantage.
@bed Any specific examples you would like to share?
i agree that “crab mentality” is everywhere… thanks to your posts.
Crab mentality is a serious problems,not just in the Phils.,but even in the US,there were lots of them.
Some love bashing others,because they think it feels better and most of the time,these kind of negative traits make them more domineering and at times they think their opinion always matters.
Pulling down others is a kind of social illness,whether it be in business or politics.but of course to the victims,i’d prefer to ignore them and just continuing to believe in yourself,don’t let others pull you down.think positive and aim high to hit the target.
Yeah I know it exists everywhere in the world, but it’s running rampant all over the Philippines. Not just having crab mentalities, but everything about business is screwed up here. For example, I have an office building where I’m renting out some rooms. Just recently the building owner allowed some maids in transition to live upstairs where I interview people. So as I’m interviewing people, there’s girls walking around with a hanger full of clothes, hanging them outside to dry. Sometimes I hate working in this country. Things that are not acceptable anywhere else is acceptable here. For example:
1. Peeing out in the open.
2. Picking their nose out in the open.
3. Sneezing without covering.
4. Spitting out in the open.
5. Picking teeth out in the open.
6. Staring at people that are different than them.
7. Pissing all over the toilet seat (if there is a toilet seat).
8. Stealing the toilet paper from a public bathroom.
9. Adjusting themselves in front of everyone.
10. Smelling like pure sweat or too much perfume.
11. Hanging their underwear outside for the whole neighborhood to see.
Basically everything a creepy guy would do in America or any other country is acceptable here.
What the pot means? Country? I guess the government should provide security for the people, so that the good people will not experience bad memories. Crab mentality is in the mind and the culprit can pretend good one. Potential people can be emotionally hurt to reach their dreams. For me crab mentality is a crime. It’s just a relative of imitation. In Genesis Lucifer imitate God to temp Eve cos he is so envy to God’s power so I guess envy, jealousy and laziness are the roots of it.
Man, to any westerners who view this, I am REALLY sorry that you observe these traits in my country (Philippines). If I only had the power to change this, I would. Sometimes I hate living here, full of imbecilic people in high-up positions.
This Crab Mentality exists almost everywhere in the world but honestly its too much in this part of the world. I have seen This Crab Mentality to the fullest, but what can we do? when you complain and try to make people understand that things are not done this way,they think you are some crazy fool, or they say “here is the Philippines” I get this one alot.
You start a great business that would not just benefit you but the entire public, but what do you know? some people who never had that idea suddenly see you as a threat and want to have what you have.. they even calculate your income from the business, hahaha never minding their own business,they try to inject venom into your business manipulate and cripple your best staffs (who ofcourse would choose a filipino to a foreigner anyday) just to make sure you close down. First you think everybody smiles with you from their heart but who are you kidding? most people here rather help their country men grow in business than help a Foreigner.This is sad!
No privacy, people know how much you have in your account, hahaha. scary!
Don’t get it all wrong, the country is nice and all. BUT! some freaks keep making it look bad!! greed , Jealousy, I have a motto, if you want a fine car or a lovely home,nice life then you gotta work for it, but most folks here wont do that, they want it all but they do not understand that everything comes with a price. I hope changes would come, if not,
Foreigners would Certainly leave or stay below radar and The Chinese would eat y’all for lunch. This is the fact.
^^ so true..
i have been working awhile with foreign peeps and it’s quite much easier to discuss business matters with them compared to a filipino… seriously (and i am filipino myself) – i guess poverty breeds envy.
Sad but true Jefferson!
The article perfectly describes a similar situation. Indeed, it’s very bad for the business. It’s like drowning the person that taught you how to swim and forgotten about the triumphs and failures you’ve shared together after those years. Guess, this kind of negative mentality will never disappear. It has therefore, been deeply entrenched in most Filipinos.
As a parent, Its our responsibility to outgrown the bad mentality and set a great example to the kids showing them little ways such as empathy.