Job Discussion Forums

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Today, December 16th, marks the first of 9 days of Christmas Posadas. The noise from Dec. 12th, Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe will pale by comparison. Children are bustling around the neighborhood today eagerly anticipating their pi�ata! We were all asked to contribute to the contents and I predict a major sugar rush for endless hours. The parents have rounded up the biggest speakers imaginable and excitement is in the air! I on the other hand am searching for tranquilizers for the pets and industrial strength earplugs for myself.

Each area of Mexico celebrates this time period differently and it would be fun to hear what's going on in other neighborhoods tonight. Here is a link describing traditional events surrounding this happy season.

http://www.inside-mexico.com/RevistaNewsl.htm

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Every year, I say to myself 'this is the year they'll let me bust the pinata' and every year I get the job of working the rope. Too many kids in the family who get first crack at it...sigh. The downside of being a foreign uncle.

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

Guy,
Do you pay the "domingos"? I was really excited when the little kids in the family here called me "Tio". Then one of my Mexican friends said, "That's because you have to give them money on Sunday". I love the family culture in Mexico. So far, I have been "Tio", "Padrino" , "Compadre" and "Padrino del Brindis"

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Pay the domingos...I'm not familiar with that. My in-laws are really only semi-traditional folk I think though. I too love the family culture. My own Canadian family is not very close with each other and I'm an only child at that (can you tell? Wink

). With 7 brothers and sisters-in law here, all married with kids, it is a very different experience.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I've never heard of that particular tradition either. Maybe they were having you on. Wink

I guess my Mexican family isn't all that traditional either, but then again, define traditional. I think families are families wherever we go. This auntie not talking to that one, this cousin's wife disrupting the family by avoiding another relative....on it goes. All pretty familiar. In fact I often just pretend I don't understand what's going on so I don't have to get involved in the family chismes. I have to say, there is plenty of drama in Mexican families.

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

"domingos" are a small weekly allowance for the children.

you're right about the drama - I tell my Mexican mother who adoped me into her family that she doesn't need to watch "novellas" because her house is one with five sons and daughters and their families.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:16 pm Post subject:

I know what Domingos are but it's not up to the uncle to pay them Mapache!

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

If you don't know what they are, how do you know who pays them?

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

my bad - I misread your reply. In any case, it's great to have a huge extented family adopt me here in Mexico chisme or no chisme.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I asked my wife about them...she says that's a padrino's job. Whew...probably saved me a lot of Sunday beer and poker money. Wink