OT: Stay Here in Qatar

This is not a wedding post, but I'll write about it anyway.

I've been in Qatar for almost 3 weeks now and to my surprise, I probably don't look like a Filipino!

I've always taken pride in my kayumanggi color, and have accepted my height, which is within the average Filipino male height (I know I'm probably near the floor of the normal range, but at least I'm taller than most Filipinas and I'm seldom the shortest guy in a group). My nose, though not pango, is not pointy and my eyes are not too rounded but not too chinky as well. Over all, I always though of myself as very Filipino.

But after three weeks here, I've received the following questions/comments:

• Sir, what is your nationality? - Filipino rigger who eventually found out he didn't have to speak english to me
• You don't look like any of the other Filipinos I've met in the camp - Indian acquaintance inside the camp
• Ay, nag english pa ako kasi akala ko Indonesian ka - Filipina Grand Hyatt Hotel staff
• Hinde kita malapitan kanina kasi akala ko Malaysian ka - Filipino Shell operator
• No, you're not a Filipino! - wide-eyed Nepalese catering crew member

Here's the most off-tangent:

• I thought you were British - Venezuelan Shell guy

Here is one scared me:

Ay Pilipino ka pala, naku pag ganyan ka na maputi at makinis dito ka na lang sa Qatar hwag ka mag Saudi! - Filipino who I was in line with at the Doha Medical Commission.

And I'm not even maputi or makinis! HAHAHA. Anyway sorry for the OT post. Next time tungkol na uli sa wedding.