I am late getting in here, but I fly Asiana ALOT. I have had both good and bad experiences, and sometimes wonder how the heck they are a 5 star airline?

But having lived now in the Philippines, Korea, and Japan for several years (as well as Dubai and a few other places along the way), I do find that the lunch break situation is huge in the Philippines (and elsewhere with Spanish roots (and some not), its very cultural and besides – who the heck wants to be bothered during lunch?), and I will agree that the laugh here is often times out of discomfort rather than simply being vindictive.

As for being culturally insensitive by saying they are slow here - get over it. For those of you that have traveled here, you know that when you make any kind of appointment, you have to ask whether its American/Brit or Filipino time. If its American/Brit time, a 7pm appointment is at 7pm. If its Filipino time, well, its usually 730-8ish if you are lucky.

As far as the guy having issues, the traffic from domestic side to international is still very, very heavy. I have been stuck trying to get to NAIA and missed flights. Better in the future to have one ticket (from experience). When I fly from Cebu to the States, I do fly Asiana from Cebu to ICN, then on out to LAX or SFO or ORD. The lounge at ICN is pretty nice, so its not that bad.

And for Americans being accused of being loud? They are not the only ones! I actually got a good laugh in a place the other day with a few American friends in MNL. We were being very kind and polite at a very upscale restaurant, and there was a table full of Brits who were absolutely loud as could be. We joked that they always complained how loud others are, but don’t mind their own manners…

Remember that the perspective or actions of a few do not make up the majority. I have found Americans in general to be some of the most culturally sensitive people around, whereas when we have some people from other countries be quite elitist and unkind. Then again, I have had people from the aforementioned countries be very kind, and some Americans to be elitist as well. It just depends on so many factors – I guess if your parents raised you properly or not. We are all guests in the countries we visit – and having a passport from EU or US doesn’t give you the right to treat others with disdain…