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fresas
Joined: 28 May 2005
Posts: 16
Location: Cuenca, Ecuador
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 Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 2:51 am Post subject: Re: Latin America--how has it changed you? |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| One of the most important changes in my character has been to go from being fairly quiet and introverted to becoming - not dramatic extroverted, but somewhere more towards the middle end of personable, I spose. Time in the classroom, in front of students has done that to me. |
I can definitely relate to this. Going to South America really helped me come out of my shell. I guess just going to a new place where no one has placed you in that "shy box" makes it easier. And, to learn Spanish, I HAD to be willing to make an effort to talk to people (and I had to learn to laugh at myself more, too!) I think I've brought a lot of these changes back with me to Canada--although I do find it easier to be more outgoing with International students here than North Americans.
As for learning patience...definitely. But I also agree that it's easy to forget it when you're back in NA! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:24 am Post subject: |
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| although I do find it easier to be more outgoing with International students here than North Americans. |
I know PRECISELY what you mean. Part of reverse culture shock (see the General Discussion for more) I think. When I'm back home, it seems easiest to relate to Spanish-speakers there, which must confuse the hell out of them as I randomly say 'hola' to Latinos there.  I found myself eating a lot at Mexican restaurants in Ottawa while I was back... |
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lozwich
Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536
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| Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sitting in one of those combo internet cafe/international call places, and a man talking on the phone is crying his eyes out. Not just a little sniffy cry, but really howling.
At home, I'd probably never hear that (especially coming from a tough Aussie bloke), but I also wouldn't be sitting here feeling like joining in and/or going and giving him a great big hug. |
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Brynita
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 23
Location: New Haven, CT, USA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| ls650 wrote: |
- About 2% of the world's population cause about 98% of the problems. Most people are not interested in fighting wars or crusading for ethnic causes; they just want to live a happy life with their friends and family. Unfortunately, that aforementioned 2% keep stirring up trouble. |
Oh so true, ls650. I can also identify with what Denise said about getting used to the cat calls. When I came back to the US, and walking past a construction site yielded not even a whistle, I was surprised to find myself actually concerned that my outfit that day was bad. Ugh. I don't know what that says about me. But when in LA, I generally just ignore it.
And mattheboy, I know exactly what you mean about the patience going out the window when away from LA. Although when it comes to public transportation, I think I have been able to retain some of it. My train into NYC was delayed for 40 minutes this morning, and I just finished my crossword and picked up my knitting, enjoying the knowledge that I had a good excuse for being late to work.  |
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