No thanks I've just eaten
In terms of learning Tagalog, one of the first lessons you'll learn is "kumain ka na?" or "have you yet eaten"
The second lesson will likely be "kain tayo" or "let's eat"
One noticable cultural difference here in the Philippines is that everyone just loves to eat.
Anytime, anywhere and dare I say almost anything, then more.
In connection with that you soon learn how to eat with a fork and spoon instead of the UK's ubiquitous knife and fork. A lot of the dishes here are much easier and more enjoyable when using a spoon and fork. Or indeed, your own hands.
I know that many folks share a view that most Filipino food just doesn't rate at all when compared to European cuisine or many other Asian foods.
Personally, I think that virtually all the Filipino dishes my wife presents are just wonderful.
I'd go as far as to say heavenly.
Most of the foods I get invited to eat when away from home is also pretty good.
However, I'll not disagree that some foods do not 'cut the mustard' at all, but that's usually down to poor preparation, poor presentation and poor quality ingredients.
My idea of heaven is anything from the sea, any kind of Adobo, any kind of Sinigang and any kind of Kinilaw.
I think we all know very well the traditional party centre-piece of Lechon. Pig-on-a-stick, carefully seasoned and spit-roasted until golden, crispy, meltingly tender and succulent.
I'm not talking about the fatty, stringy overcooked meat wrapped up in a leather coat that we've all surely experienced at one time. I'm talking about the real deal.
Apart from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, I've worked out that there's also "merienda".
Strictly speaking it's meant to be a very light meal or selection of light foods that can get served between breakfast and lunch or more commonly between lunch and dinner.
It's not brunch which is usually a single meal composed of a late breakfast combined with an early lunch.
No, merienda is an additional light meal.
Finally you have snacks. I've not yet finally gotten up to speed with "Snacks" Philippine style. It seems to depend on both appetite and 'pocket'. Snacks can be as simple as Sky Flakes or actually approaching another form of merienda.
Fruits are eaten anytime day or night.
Whichever way look at it, you're never too far from putting food in your mouth.
That's something I need to be careful about. Not just for the sake of my health but also to be sure my weight and waist doesn't increase.
I very often find myself saying "thanks but no thanks, I've only just eaten."
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I think she can't grasp that part of our culture that meeting up with someone any time of the day would involve plenty of eating! I was actually a lot "fatter" (not that I'm fat anyway) when I was still living in the Philippines! 
Originally Posted by grahamw48
