Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

After living in Latin America for a bit, there are some things that I simply can�t get my head around. For example, the lack of voice mail. Here in Peru, it�s a free service that comes with your phone line, however, places that you think would have it, don�t. The majority of institutions, such as schools, universities and even embassies don�t have voice mail.
Another thing is the meals. I�ve never eaten so much starchy food in my life. Potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread can all be eaten at the same meal. My husband and I take turns cooking and I hardly ever cook rice, twice a month is enough for me, but he�s used to having it at lunch and dinner. So whenever I cook he�ll inevitably look at me with pleading eyes and ask �Rice?� Breakfast is another matter. Bread with butter and jam and white coffee consist of breakfast here. Fruit isn�t eaten too much. I went on a retreat with my school and in the three days we were there, the only fruit we had was a glass of papaya juice.
What about you and where you are? What are some of the things that you can�t understand?

[Luna Chica]

Their intense obsession with stamping everything.

I have the receipt already, why do you have to put 15 different stamps on it too?

Really the receipt is enough for me

Drinking cold drinks will make you sick and so will not wearing shoes inside your house.

[naturegirl321]

I agree with that. My degree is all stamped on the back, I don't think that I have any blank space

[lozwich]

There are two things I don't understand:

People who come to live in another culture and persist in comparing it to their own, no matter how long they've lived in the new culture.

People who go to live in another culture and persist in not understanding that people who have stayed at home haven't had their horizons broadened in the same ways.



Can't we just come to terms with the fact that Latin America isn't just like home (hey, isn't that why we love it here?) and that people at home will never see things the way we do, because, well, they haven't seen the things we have?

[MamaOaxaca]

HERE HERE LOZWICH!

The key to long term life in Latin America is kind of like a Zen thing, we you stop trying to understand it, you do.

[matttheboy]

quantum physics and how my girlfriend remembers that i told her a skirt made her legs look short 3 years ago despite the fact that she has the worst memory of anyone not afflicted by alzheimers are two things i 'just can't understand'

[Justin Trullinger]

In the Ecuadorian Sierra, manners are more important than anywhere I've ever been. I won't say "don't understand," as I'm starting to.

But the other night, I had to negotiate the breaking of a rental contract, due to negligence and violation of privacy on the part of the owner. Strangely, no voices were raised, no relationships damaged, and it ended with an invitation to dinner in my new apartment. I felt like I was in an Oscar Wilde play.

Best,
Justin