Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/08-06/look-mommy-a-gringo-south-america-central-america-mexico.html


What do you think? Honest opinions please.

[Insubordination]

I lived in Chile for a year in a medium-sized town and stuck out like a sore thumb. People would cross the street to ask me for money. I agree that dressing shabbily is the easiest way to draw attention to yourself.

[john_n_carolina]

....good analysis NG. i like the article a lot. i followed a lot of that advice during my time down South.

there's also a bit of a psychological look that you can "take on", that makes you appear less touristy. confidence, keep your head up, don't look at the sites, stare into the eyes of the thieves, and constantly monitor streets, or when you are on the bus. after awhile, many locals thought i was from Argentina. because of the financial collapse of Argentina in the early 00's, many moved out. however, with my blue scandanavian Dutch eyes, 6'2, and blonde hair....there's no hiding. especially in the Andean countries where facial features and size are very Asian influenced.

the hardest Gringo part of you to hide is when you are on the dance floor but i did win a salsa contest once with my girlfriend, native Coastena, and pure sangre de salsa.

[Justin Trullinger]

Congrats on getting published!

In terms of "blending in," there are some natural limitations of course- I'm a full-sized red-headed bald white guy. No hope, under any circumstances, that people won't realize I'm foreign. (Sometimes on the phone, but only when I'm having a better than average "Spanish accent day.") In person, I stand out.

But that said, some of the tips you mention do help- no one will ever take me for local- but when I'm dressed "normal" (shirt and tie), and in Spanish speaking crowds, the tendency to be singled out is greatly reduced.


Best,
Justin

[MO39]

Even though I'm short (well, in Mexico I'm average for a woman) and before my hair turned gray it was brown, not blonde, I'll never be taken for a native. But I do think that I look like I live here, that I'm not a tourist, which is a recipe for fitting in.

[kingkristopher]

I found that to be very accurate for the most part, especially the parts about dress and greetings. Latin Americans are VERY big on saying "Hello" and "Good-Bye". Even to complete strangers. Personally, I find it a little annoying to say "Good morning" to everyone all the time, but I suppose it doesn't actually cost me anything. As for dress, here in Panama, the locals NEVER wear shorts. Wearing then is a sure sign that you are a foreigner.

However, I'd have to say that you're a little off the mark in terms of talking points (and the weather, but that depends on the country/region). At least in the countries I've visited, Latin Americans don't tend to read as much as North Americans and Europeans and don't stay abreast of the news, even local news. I've tried that angle (local current events) in my classes many times only to be treated with complete and unbroken silence. I would suggest learning about the local sports and entertainment scenes. The locals are only too happy to talk about those. I agree that you should not say anything negative about the country. Latinos have an amazing ability not to see the flaws and defects of their countries. Not only do they not like having them pointed out, often they will flat out refuse to acknowledge them. Save that for ex-pat griping sessions.

Lastly, you are absolutely right about the latino concept of time. Still, I would caution anyone against adopting this policy as their own. Showing up late is a SERIOUS show of disrespect, whether intentional or not. It shows that you feel that your time is more important than someone else's. Personally, this is my biggest gripe with Latin America.

In general, a well-written and thought out article. Sage advice for those who do find that they stick out like a sore thumb (luckily I haven't had that problem because of my skin colour, the one area it might be considered an advantage )

P.S. What's with not switching hands when using cutlery? I've never noticed that one and I've always considered using a fork in your off hand (in my case my left) to be a sign of bad table manners, i.e. I ALWAYS switch hands.

[Guy Courchesne]

I like the article...a good start I think for the un-initiated. I think Mexico City (and other large Latin American cities) is more forgiving than you give credit for, particularly on blending in. Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Mexico City offer much more of a cosmopolitan atmosphere than rural areas and thus are less homogeneous culturally.

Good read though..I plan to link people to it.

[MELEE]

I'll second Guy's opinion. When I was a student in Chile (1993) until I opened my mouth--no one suspected I wasn't a native of Santiago. I got lucky and had the hairstyle that 50% of the girls my age in Chile had at that time. I bought clothes and shoes there. People were always asking me for directions on the street and shocked when I said in my heavily accented Spanish that I didn't know because I wasn't from there.

But southern Mexico is a whole nother ball game. I'll never ever look like a local here. But I don't really want to. When I was a 20-year-old student I took great pride in looking Chileana. But now at 35 I wear my "village gringa" status with pride.

[MO39]

I agree with a lot of the information in naturegirl's interesting and informative article, but I take exception to the comment that "most people have a decent grasp of English". If that were true, most of us would be out of a job!

[MO39]

[Guy Courchesne]

Problem easily solved in much of Mexico by forgoing cutlery and using a tortilla to scoop up, grab up, or sop up everything on the plate!

[MO39]

That's fine if you're eating tacos and other food already enveloped in a tasty tortilla, but I still can't scoop up saucy foods like beans in a tortilla without all the juice dripping down the front of my blouse.

[Justin Trullinger]

Most traditional Ecuadorian foods are also compatible with the "what cutlery?" approach.

"Most people have a decent grasp of English????"

I must have missed that part of the article. Here in Ecuador, I have a decent grasp of English, as do a moderate number of people in similar circumstances. But if you go around the streets looking for people who speak English...it would get lonely. Most waiters and waitresses do not, even in the tourist parts of town. Many, though by no means all, hostels have a designated English speaker, who can stammer out some phrases of tourist interest.

But a decent grasp? Maybe not.


Best,
Justin

PS- still a decent article!

[MELEE]

Another thing. In Mexico loads of people wear "tourist T-shirts" With anything from Acapulco to Zatatecas on the front. T-shirts are a common gift/souvenir among Mexicans and foriegners alike.

[naturegirl321]