Pinoy Tagay (Alcohol Drinking) Ethiquette

If you are a Pinoy you may be very familiar with this one. If you see a Philippine movie, there is always a scene where there is "tagayan". There are unwritten rules about how someone should behave when they are in a drinking session, or when you happen to pass one, it is the alcohol courtesy.

1. Tagay muna. This is the most difficult and most dangerous part of the Filipino "tagay" culture. In the movies, if you are not courteous enough to oblige or turn down the offer, chances are that you will be in big trouble like being mugged or killed for it. It is "disrespect" in the eyes of the person who offered you the drink and he is very much offended. Don't be alarmed, in the real life, you can oblige and take a sip or by just saying thank you but no thanks in a very well mannered way, you will be spared the unforgiving wrath of the "sunog baga." Always use the respectful and endearing words "po" and "opo." Don't forget to take a little bit of the "pulutan" also. If by chance you were able to down at least four shots, try to buy one "bilog" (bottle of alcohol) as appreciation of their courtesy.

2. Shot glass. In a typical "inuman" (drinking session), the group only uses one glass for the alcohol drinks. Reasons vary on why it has come to that way. One reason is that, everyone has the equal opportunity to drink because the glass travels around the group. In some instances, there is one in the group whom they call "tangero" or "tangera" for the ladies - the one who places the drinks in the glass and sees to it that the glass travels around without missing a target for all to enjoy the session. It is an unwritten rule that the glass is clean even though it has passes already to everyone in the group. It is a sign of non-courtesy of bringing your own glass for a drink in this setup.

3. Empathy. Never laugh or crack a joke if someone cries in a drinking session because of problems. It is said that one of the reasons why there is "inuman" is because of problems of a drinking buddy to share his problems and let go of his/her emotions. Drink buddies are supposed to help him/her in his problem through moral support. The problematic will buy the drinks and pulutan while the others listen and drink with him/her till passing out and peeing/shitting the pants out.

4. Washing. This is for information only and it doesn't connote to washing clothes or anything else. If it were dining, it is the dessert. The main course involves the hard drinks whereas the "washing" part involves drinking beer to "wash" away the alcohol in the system. It is sometimes believed that this practice will avert the dreaded "hangover."

5. Pulutan (Food eaten while drinking). Pulutan is derived from the work "pulot" which means to pick. It is the means of picking food in the table while drinking. There are people that they call "pulutizer", the one who eats more from the "pulutan" and drink less from the "inumin" (alcohol). It is considered shameful if you only attend a drinking session just to eat "pulutan" and not to drink. Naturally, in a drinking session, pulutan is sacred and taken only in small quantities and very often, taken only after downing a drink. "Pulutizers" are not invited again in another drinking session.

So if there is a chance that you are invited to an "inuman", try and see for yourself.