I find that the tale, tall or true as it may be, is one of the best justifications for the Filipino to shed its innate crab mentality all but ingrained into its fiber. Though many feel that this trait is nothing more than that, one that is not harmful or destructive. I beg to disagree, as you will see how much this story below reflects crab mentality in its truest and most common form.
The Brahmana and the Prostitute
Once, near the peaceful village of Vrndavana, the transcendental place where Krsna manifested His pastimes on earth, there lived a scholarly brahmana (priest) and servant of Krsna. Opposite his home, there lived a prostitute.
As a daily observance, the brahmana would sit in his doorway and recite the Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, then cook offering for the Deities in the Temple. His cooking abilities were famous throughout the land. Meanwhile, across the street, the prostitute would tend to her business.
As the years passed, the brahmana grew ever more disturbed by the prostitute.
'Just see how lowly and disgusting she is. How can such a low life ever leave her disgraceful body near the beautiful land of Vrndavana!' He would proudly and arrogantly think this to himself, then continue with his recitation while cooking various preparations.
It so happened that both the brahmana and the prostitute died at the same time. To the brahmana's surprise, the Vishnudutas (the Lord of Vaikuntha's messengers) came to deliver the prostitute while the Yamadutas (the Lord of Death's messengers) came for him.
'What is this'? he protested to the Yamadutas. 'There must be some mistake!'
The Yamadutas replied, 'My dear brahmana, there is no mistake. While you were busy meditating on the lowly activities of the prostitute, she listened to you recite the Gita and prayed that she could one day elevate herself to your position.
In this way the prostitute achieved liberation while you only degraded yourself to take birth on a planet of prostitutes.'
So, my friends, it is very clear as to what extent our ill trait affects each of us, especially on the spiritual level. May this serve as a reminder that all our actions and thoughts DO somehow form what we are and determine what becomes of us in Death.
Let us not look far, for even in the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ saw the same Light in Mary Madalene. So as we look at the people around us, we must see God in each and everyone, lest we fall into the realm of crabs and take birth as one.
It's so funny that when I do a computer
search for crab mentality "filipino crab mentality"
specifically pops up. I find this so true of my
culture...I am so embarrassed. This is not true of my
whole race, but it is true for most of them. The
following is a blog I found:
Is crab mentality distinctively Pinoy?
I have never really given much attention to the term
"crab mentality" until of late when I have been a victim
of this negative idiosyncrasy myself. It is very
disappointing and nauseating to know that there are
people who invent situations to make other people look
bad. It seems that it is very prevalent among Filipinos
and reveals the short-sighted thinking of people who
pull other people down, denigrating them rather than
helping them achieve their goals.
Have you ever seen a bucket full of crabs? They all know
that they will all end up dying in a cauldron of boiling
water and eventually at the dinner table, and if a crab
attempts to escape at the point of just jumping out the
bucket, the other crabs will pull its leg back to the
bucket. This metaphor symbolizes the Filipino mindset
"if we can't have it, neither can you".
I find it so pathetic when someone tries to inflict
unnecessary damage to someone's being, the devastation
is not only limited to the target person more so
reflects how stumpy the attacker's personality actually
is and how badly they drag down the image of the
Filipino culture. I am a Filipino who still believes
that there are still many who embody a positive attitude
and are actually concerned about other people rather
than dragging down the whole culture to shame. Sadly,
negative images stay in mind.
Why is it so hard for Filipinos to mind their own
business? Why is it so hard to accept that someone is
better than others? For lack of better things to do, is
it becoming a favorite past time? We always claim that
we are proud to be Pinoy. Are we proud of the nauseating
odor emanating from the Filipino crab mentality
syndrome?
Are you still proud to be Pinoy?
I completely agree with this blogger. It's so
disappointing for me to find these blogs on the net. I
have been too much of a victim to this filipino mindset.
My past friends, past in-law, and yes, even my father.
Am I proud to be filipino? I wish I could be...but my
answer is NO.