Foreign Beat.

Two Englishmen got into a scuffle with local security at a private residential-shopping complex, because they were skateboarding in a busy area that was off limits to skateboarders.

Bingo. The Englishmen suffered concussions; the management apologized for the local security's mishandling of the matter.

Prior to the fracas, the foreigners said they were first accosted by the local police and told not to skateboard on the busy street and to skateboard at a nearby park, which they promptly did. This is where the private security guards caught them and were told otherwise.

I lived most of my life in the Philippines, although I lived for twenty plus years in the U.S and Canada, and I witnessed how the locals react and treat foreign people. The locals give preference and nicer service and more respect to the foreigners than to the locals - their compatriots.

The locals do this all the time, because they want the visitors to feel special.

I've resented this outlook and action so many times. I'd been a victim of and a voice against this preferential treatment. I just want the same kind of treatment, service, and courtesy.

One time at the International Airport where I drove my sister and my bro-in-law for their trip back to the United States, the private security guards shooed us away as they did the other locals for staying more than the required short minutes at the drop-off area. The manner it was done was embarrassing - like it was a military drill where they held hands as a human chain and swept towards the people so we could immediately leave. Even my prim and proper medical doctor-sister was insulted by the whole scenario, as I blurted out " ano ito Martial Law?" (what is this, martial law?).

Another time, I was driven to the airport for my trip to Canada and the security people rudely asked my wife and daughter not to linger outside the departure area but I saw how the same security tolerated a foreigner and his local girlfriend who were saying the longest, romantic goodbyes right outside the cordoned-off area.

These are examples of the reverse-treatment given to foreigners and to locals, and a lot of times, they backfire, like the recent incident at the Bonifacio Global. Of course, there is the cultural thing, too.

The locals are submissive to foreigners, (years of subjugation by the foreign powers and lack of savvy dealing and talking with the foreigners) and arrogant towards the locals, whom they can bully, because like them, the locals would easily submit.

The locals get offended if a local asserts his/her rights and s/he is called "mayabang."  But when a foreigner demands what s/he is entitled to, the locals give in.

I think what happened at the BGC is this: The local police explained to the British what the skate boarding policy was and they followed it, because they transferred to the park. Then the private security questioned them (again), politely,  I assume, because of the locals' inherent politeness with foreigners. The Brits then assertively told the security guys, back off, police said we can skateboard here. Local security felt "insulted" at the affront way the Brits answered them, reacted and boom, all hell broke loose.

Lesson learned:  Management people: Teach assertiveness to your people. People: Learn assertiveness not aggressiveness.

And apply it to both locals and foreigners, and in whatever situation you are in. In offices, dealing with peers or superiors, in social or church groups, even in families.

Assertiveness is not rudeness. Aggressiveness is.