BajaNomad

No Spanish a Liability?

rogerj1 - 5-18-2004 at 06:04 PM

I captured this quote from another board:

"To live inexpensively in Mexico, you must learn how to speak conversational Spanish. Otherwise, you're just another Gringo tourist. The Mexicans will treat you like an ATM

Have you found this to be true?

tocaya - 5-18-2004 at 08:12 PM

Very much so, Roger, although I'm not sure how you define "conversational Spanish". That doesn't mean that you have to become immediately fluent, but speaking some Spanish is a definite advantage, and will certainly enrich your experience in Mexico. It isn't that hard!

Is this true

jrbaja - 5-18-2004 at 09:07 PM

100% True! Although, if you try to learn and show an interest in learning and don't get embarrased about what you are trying to say, they will understand and help you rather than make fun of you. What a concept eh ????

tocaya - 5-18-2004 at 09:38 PM

It's not just the walking ATM thing either, I've seen many examples of people who just don't understand and end up spending more because of confusion or misunderstanding. Then they turn around and complain they have been ripped off.

The happiest people living in Mexico are those who learn some Spanish. In fact I think happiness in another is directly proportional to your ability to comunicate.

Some spanish enough?

rogerj1 - 5-18-2004 at 09:59 PM

I've studied Spanish and completed a quarter during a study abroad program. I'm wondering if I need to get fluent enough to complete entire business transactions in spanish?

Business transactions

jrbaja - 5-18-2004 at 10:12 PM

include "dose taakos de karne eee dose cerveecas' as well as buying a " maquilladora for dossee milliones dollares.
I recommend some fluent Espa?ol for the latter. Just the basics will do for the former.:light:

backninedan - 5-19-2004 at 11:26 AM

I am taking spanish classes at the college in Loreto, just the fact that I'm making a effort to learn, has gotten me smiles and what seems like a more tolerant attitude to my still halting spanish.

There is no doubt, if you learn the language, it will smooth your transition to local life, and save you some cash in the process.

Dan

JESSE - 5-19-2004 at 07:55 PM

Si, deme su dinero por favor. :)

Even tho...

Sallysouth - 5-22-2004 at 10:01 AM

I have been going to Baja most of my life(which is a LOOONG time)I still speak broken Spanglish because there were others around to speak spanish for me.The locals feel you respect them if you even try to speak their language.My daughter who lives in Mexico ,is in the middle of a business deal and has hired an attorney to speak for her(she speaks very fluently)on all negotiations.One simple missunderstanding concerning a business transaction could bring disaterous results, even if unintentional.By the way, on my last stay in Loreto, I ran into and old friend(Mexican) of the family and we had a very nice conversation all in Spanish for about an hour! When my daughter showed up he told her how nice it was that I'm still trying to learn the language after30 someodd years but he wasn't sure if I was speaking Spanish or Chinese!! LOLROF!!! :lol:

since I've learned to speak the local language...

flyfishinPam - 5-22-2004 at 04:47 PM

...life just gets better and better!

You won't learn it hanging around all the gringos or living in their neighborhoods.

You have to hang with the locals, the exclusive Spanish speakers, and blend with them.

you have to "take care of your own business" and not use the skills of a bilingual as a crutch, no matter how time consuming your business becomes.

you have to push the idea that you "sound like an idiot" while learning their language, right out of your head.

just do it.

SPEAK Spanish and you will experience the REAL Baja California!

YES. - Not learning the Spanish language will be a liability. You will close many doors of opportunity and lose chances at making great friendships.

Who?

Sallysouth - 5-22-2004 at 11:22 PM

sounds like an idiot? And are'nt you having others "take care of your own business"? Just wondering where you are coming from with your rather off handed reply.:?:Please explain .

[Edited on 5-23-2004 by Sallysouth]

[Edited on 5-23-2004 by Sallysouth]

inexpensively

Kathleen - 5-23-2004 at 07:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rogerj1
I captured this quote from another board:

"To live inexpensively in Mexico, you must learn how to speak conversational Spanish. Otherwise, you're just another Gringo tourist. The Mexicans will treat you like an ATM>>

I didn't find that the case. I lived in San Jose del Cabo.
I don't speak but a few words in Spanish.
I found that once people saw that I was going to live there and not just visiting--everything came down drastically in price.
Rental apts near the beach were no longer being offered at $1,000 a month but then $300.00 a month etc.
I loved it!
And I ended up living in and hanging out in non gringo areas.
Everyone was very kind to myself and my then six yr old.
One can get taken avantage of the united states speaking perfect English also--
Kathleen

Los Cabos

jrbaja - 5-23-2004 at 08:23 AM

are two of the growing number of "enclaves" that this rule doesn't apply to. Same with Rosarito, San Felipe, Bahia de los Angeles, Bahia Gonzaga, Mulege and the rest of the americanized communities that have sprung up on the peninsula.
I guess they got tired of being yelled at in most conversations with gringos so they learned english. Mighty white of em dontcha think ?:lol:

The "Idiot" remark

jrbaja - 5-23-2004 at 08:27 AM

I believe was directed at herself. This is because, when we are learning Spanish, or any other language, we tend to sound like idiots as we try and pronounce words and phrases that are foreign to us. What Pam is saying (I think ) is that we need to get over the fear of idiocy, let the people know what we are up to (attempting to learn Spanish), and keep on trying.

No, you got it wrong...

flyfishinPam - 5-23-2004 at 11:23 AM

here's an example:

you need to get your telephone re-connected because you are moving to a new home. Take care of the deal yourself, practice your spanish and you'll find that it will take longer, but it will get done and you'll feel more satisfied in the end because you accomplished it yourself.

another: you need to open a bank account and nobody speaks english at the bank but they do speak a little english. you'll find it will be more frustrating for yourself and the employee handling you but it will get carried out, you'lllearn some new spanish words and they'll learn some more new english ones.

comprenda ahora?

those are just two of the many examples of getting the job done yourself, taking care of your "business"

geez I was being facecious in saying "taking care of business' of course since I have a business I have to hire an accountant, lawyer, etc. to take care of my business literally.

calmate por favor...

and the idiot comment was directed at myself and anyone learning a new language. becasue you can't express yourself the way you want to in the new language, you feel like an idiot when forming these new words, at least I did. but once I realized that I WAS and idiot I figured "who the hell cares what I sound like" and just talked away, and learned quickly how easy it is.

[Edited on 5-23-2004 by flyfishinPam]

Thanks!

Sallysouth - 5-23-2004 at 09:43 PM

Now I can rest peacefully! LMAO Thanks JR, as that was what I was saying in my reply ,about my conversation with a dear old friend "down there in Baja". And to Pam, I think I know what you mean, not too sure.I'll bet the heat might be getting to you just about now! Grammas put very cool washcloths on the foreheads of the overheated children just to keep them from halucinating!Just having fun,Sally

[Edited on 5-24-2004 by Sallysouth]:lol:

[Edited on 5-24-2004 by Sallysouth]

tim40 - 5-24-2004 at 11:36 AM

Pam, do you live Loreto full time and if so, do you mind sharing for how long and for what purpose? I find language, although always important, has differing levels of such if you are doing business, retiring full time or just an occasional visitor....Now, let me be clear...I definitely fall into the sounds like an idiot group...but still trying.

Eli - 5-24-2004 at 01:59 PM

Although, I believe it is real helpful to develop language skills, still, genuine respect and kindness are much more important attributes and take you a lot farther than those handy dandy language skills ever hoped to be when it comes to dealing with people.

[Edited on 5-24-2004 by Eli]

tim40 - 5-24-2004 at 02:44 PM

Guess I have always considered manners and kindness as 'table stakes'...you know the minimum cost of doing business

yeah,

flyfishinPam - 5-25-2004 at 10:49 AM

i live here full time. i here for the fishing.

i don;t have so much of a problem with folks coming here to live and not knowing the language, especially if they've only been here for a short while. but its the ones who come here and hav been here for five, ten, twenty years and more that I just don;t understand. why live here and not speak the language, I guess I just don;t get it.

when i first came here i spoke no spanish except the usual, cerveza, taco, pescado, ...just kidding. i used my english/spanish speaking friends as crutch to get things done more efficiently, but i also lost out on learning the language myself, getting the sense of accomplishment of doing it myself...i lost my independence.

fortunately it wasn't for very long. and with my being in business the spanish language skill has done absolutely nothing but allow me to get ahead and expand at an exponential rate. life is good. this is the land of opportunity.

and besides doing business deals and taking care of business by carrying out the things one needs to each day, from shop in the supermarket to ask directions to the new furniture store, is just the tip of the iceberg. the best thing is being able to speak to and understand and interact with most fully, these wonderful people down here.

Tim

Eli - 5-25-2004 at 11:43 AM

Your kindness reflects easily in your words. Expect that is why even though you say that you are struggling with Spanish, you are still getting out and enter-reacting, learning and full-filling the needs of folks down in San Javier, (for example).

I find communication an intriguing dilemma even when people 'speak the same language', as exampled on this board for instance, jejejejeje.................ay, yi, yi.........what fun we have here, no?

I worked for years as a verbal interpreter, some in the courts al otro lado, plenty in my business here. I always found it odd but interesting that you can explain to me until you are blue in the face in either language as to how a motor functions and I " just plain won't get it, never will", but if you and the person you are talking to understand motors, I can find away to interpret your words so that communication will be complete.

Obviously, I do not regret my capacity, it has given me an income in the place I most wanted to be for many years now. Still, if you are in a learning phase, I suggest you enjoy this time. Sometimes, I reflect on when I was still getting a grasp on speaking Spanish, there was so much more to talk about in just figuring stuff out. Always so much to laugh about in the errors, mixing up pescador (fisherman) with pecador (sinner) for instance, lots of yucks came of that confusion................it was a fun time of innocence. So no, I do not think that an inability to speak the Spanish is a liability. Of course, if you do have this capacity, you have a real handy tool. Ah, but being closed and not able to communicate with people does certainly qualify as a liability in business or everyday life, to say the least.

tim40 - 5-25-2004 at 02:51 PM

I have been laughed at (really with) more than once for missing the word.... No worry about me missing out on the opportunity to learn spanish anytime soon!

Skeet/Loreto - 5-25-2004 at 04:33 PM

Many Wise Words from all the Posters!

I learned Spanish mostly in the Central Valley of Cailf and as a youngster in Texas.
When i first arrived in Loreto in 1968, my attempts were funny until I learned to mimic the Body Lanuage and slangish of the Locals, such as when you use "Coda" and slap you elbow with your other hand, or when talking about a "Talker"/or Liar. placing you forked fingers to you Mouth, etc.

I still have trouble understanding my Friend from San Javier,working with him all these years, but it is a pleasure being around him.

Learn to speak and interact and you will have "Bettered yourself' .

Skeet/Loreto

"In God I Trust'