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The word Yes, here where I live in the United States means affirmative. Positive. I agree. I will comply.
Yes, however, to Filipinos seems to mean many different things.
A yes can mean “yes”, but it also can mean “I don’t know”, “perhaps”, “whatever you say”, or “I am saying yes in front of others but we will talk about it later” or, if they say it the right way, it means “no”. It can also mean “I am too embarrassed to say no right now, so I will say yes, but I really mean no” and it can even mean “I don’t understand exactly what you are saying so I will say yes but I am undecided or confused”.
Because of this, on any matter of importance, it is a good idea to reconfirm a yes several times - otherwise a casual yes is not binding.
Example of when a yes will really result in a no:
“Are you going to meet us there?” “Yes.” “So you are going to meet us there at what time?” “I am not sure” “You don’t have to meet us there, but we would like to see you there. Will you be coming?” “No, I have plans with my father that night”.
The same interaction that is really a yes:
“Are you going to meet us there?” “Yes.” “So you are going to meet us there at what time?” “I am not sure, what time would you like to meet?” “You don’t have to meet us there, but we would like to see you there. Will you be coming?” “Yes, I have no plans and would really like to go. How about 6 PM”
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