“The kwentong Barbero how to avoid being called one.”

The term “Barbero” before was a simple word to define a man who cuts hair for a living. During the Spanish times they call the barber as “peluquero” from the term “pelo” which means hair. Nowadays if you over exaggerate in telling a story you’re story is immediately referred to as a “Kwentong Barbero”. The big transition from being a profession to a name calling is such a big move. How were the Filipinos able to associate the term “Kwentong Barbero” to exaggeration? The “Kwentong Barbero” isn’t the only word used to define a person exaggerating. Before the year 2000 the word “Stir” was a hip word used by teens in a simple get together talk (2008 Peng Martinez Mr. west barbershop). The word “Stir” came from stirring like the coffee with sugar or cream you have to stir it. Now the term “Stir” is used when you exaggerate stories. The term “kwentong Kutchero” was also used during the 90’s to refer to a person who exaggerates as well. The term “Kutchero” simply means a coachman. During the 90’s and the tourism industry of the Philippines was just beginning to boom the “Kutcheros” were asked by the DOT (department of tourism) that is a foreigner took a ride in the “Kalesa” the “Kutcheros” must entertain them and start telling them stories about Manila and Intramuros –stated by Jose Soria a barber from Mr. West Barbershop. He also stated that the reason why the “Kutchero” was associated with exaggeration was because most of the “Kutcheros” really didn’t know much about the history of Manila or Intramuros thus defining why the “Kwentong Kutchero” was associated with over exaggeration.

So what is the fine line in telling what a good story is and what is an exaggerated story thus ending up being called a “Kwentong Barbero.” How can one avoid being called a “Barbero”? How can one be able to get the conversation going and being the star without one of your friends having into mind that you are telling a “Kwentong Barbero?” The “Kwentong Barbero” today is really a word you can hear among friends and basically every where. Even with my friends the word was used every time one of us exaggerates and no one would really get offended. Although at times using the word “Kwentong Barbero” depends on the occasion. You can’t just use the word to anyone not close to you because it just might end up in a fist fight. One must be aware how he/she uses the term “Kwentong Barbero” even if it’s the easy way out on telling how you feel without hurting the person you are criticizing. I remembered when I was new in St marys college and I was in a group of new found friends. A simple topic was discussed in the group it was about NBA the 80 points made by Kobe Bryant and then one of my friends got the group really going and we really believe what he was talking about except for one of my friends and he called him “Barbero” then my friend telling the story got pissed big-time and they ended up saying that it was my friend was just joking calling him “ Barbero” so although are close with people around you, you must still mind your words and be careful on how you use words such as “Kwentong Barbero.”

In this thesis on essay form the term “Kwentong Barbero” will be elaborated by process. Ideas were gathered through an interview manner for 3 barbers of Mr. West Barber shop. Each shared facts and now compiled in this thesis like essay. In this essay might answer the question why Filipinos find it hard to get to the point. This essay will also tackle other words alike the “Kwentong Barbero” and how words changed through the years. This essay will elaborate why such words can be use for our advantage and how we simply use it in our advantage. In this essay certain answer will be discussed why Filipinos even bother to derive such words and how we associate words to what we do. I did had some experiences when I have been called telling “Kwentong Barbero” just because my story was to good to be true

As years went by lots of terms were used other than “Kwentong Kutchero”, “Stir” “Talkies” and a lot more. But the real contender that lasted through the years was the “Kwentong Barbero”. But what is a “Kwentong Barbero”? From the Mr. West Barbershop barbers were kind enough to answer my questions of what really is a “Kwentong Barbero” and how does a story turn into one. Jimmy Corral or “Jimm” said that “Kwentong Barbero” was affiliated with exaggeration because of the everyday a barber seats and cuts a mans hair and during the process one cant help but to open his mouth and start’s to exchange stories; the barber and the costumer that is. And a typical barber can sit at least 12 costumers for a day; imagine all the stories passed on to a barber by each costumer. Jimm also stated that 9 out of 12 costumers tend to share facts with him. Jose Soria also a barber of the same shop also stated that the reason why the “kwentong Barbero” created is for a friend not to hurt the feelings of his friend who is exaggerating during a caucus of a group. He said that he was one of the people who really used the word “Kwentong barbero” with his friends. He also stated that he was the one who invented the word in which I cannot really validate.

With all the facts I gathered from 3 different barbers one really got my attention and it was Rapahel Martinez or “Peng”. He told me that what makes a story a “Kwentong Barbero” is when an exaggerated story is discussed in a group or with people that you are close to is when you can use the word “Kwentong Barbero”. He said that the “Kwentong Barbero” was a term originally used within a group of close friends. He said that this term was a negative statement to criticize a close friend in a way that, that friend will not get his or her emotions hurt you only use this term so that you can share your point of view on the exaggerated story in a negative way that you really won’t depress or disrespect a friend. Form his statement I can say that in a way I can agree to that because we know how Filipinos are. We want to help you in a way that we wouldn’t want to hurt you. So we create words or secret codes for a person special to you so that he or she won’t get hurt. We Filipinos find it hard to reach one point to another by being straight about it. At the end of the day the 2 other barbers did agree to Peng. They stated that what makes a story a “Kwentong barbero” is when you exaggerate a story for a friend in return you call that friend a “Barbero” why? Because you are a good friend that you wouldn’t want to hurt him but you still wish to be true to him that you want to share your point of view.

With those entire facts one must wonder if deriving such words is endemic or just widespread to Filipinos. Well one thing is for sure it isn’t endemic but is it really in the Filipino culture or just human nature to derive such words into a name calling. Everyone is aware of gay lingo and gays maybe of different nationality. So maybe it isn’t a Filipino culture maybe its simply just human nature. But in psychology human nature is defined as “the set of psychological characteristics, including ways of thinking and acting that all normal human beings have in common.”( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_nature) with that being said (emphasizing common) it means that everyone has in him or her the urge to derive terms such as the “Kwentong Barbero.” Perhaps this word was really derived out from human nature as Jhon Locke defines human nature as “in the state of nature have perfect freedom to order their actions according to the laws of nature, without having to ask permission to act from any other person. People are of equal value, and treat each other as they would want to be treated. People only leave the state of nature when they consent to take part in a community in order to protect their property rights.” Maybe we derive words out of property rights when something is crossed with in a person. In retrospect the term “Kwentong Barbero” and other words has its own advantages and disadvantages. For starters using the term “Kwentong Barbero” you use it in a manner as if joking although the disadvantage is that it’s another hard way to get to the point. If you continue to use the words such as the “Kwentong Barbero” you’ll be finding it hard to get straight forward when the occasion calls for it. Just to play things safe this is what one should do in telling a story in a group of friends get them on a good joke and make them laugh a bit. Just as you are on a roll you should know how to quite when you are ahead. As soon as you are able to make them laugh pass on the spot light you don’t always have to be the star of your crew all you have to do is to be a mushroom stand out just when the occasion calls for it.

With all that said I find the term “Kwentong Barbero” as a term use for sharing a spot light in a small caucus. I think it’s that red signal to say in a good and funny manner to say okay, that’s enough my turn. I think you only have the right to say the “Kwentong Barbero” if you know that you are also packed with stories to have your friends wooing for you. I find it also as an advantage because you can avoid being rude in a sense that you would like to make a statement. Although it is advantageous in terms of being polite one must put into mind that a person should know how to use the term “Kwentong Barbero” one must also use it moderately and when the occasion calls for it.

Although it is hard to be straight to the point when the occasion calls for it but at least you wont be rude enough to get into a fist fight with someone because of a term that has no certain meaning “Kwentong Barbero”. Another disadvantage is that if you are the one in the group to say “Barbero” you should avoid being hit by your own bullet. Just simply avoid being called “Barbero” as well which is hard because you know that the person you called “Barbero” will retaliate on you as soon as you are on the spotlight of the caucus. With all these disadvantages is still suggest that in using the term “Kwentong Barbero” needs to be used in moderation and use the term at the right moment in a conversation. One should really avoid getting out of control in using words like “Kwentong Barbero” because that’s what really makes the word overrated.

The “Kwentong Barbero” is a word that shows the Filipinos creativity to avoid rudeness in return still able to make a strong point that “Hey quit hugging the spot light it’s my turn now”. In a group the term “Kwentong Barber” is a good word to use just don’t over do it and just use the word in moderation. One doesn’t have to be smart in using it or to have a license to use it. All you have to do is to be smart in using it that’s all it takes.