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rogerj1
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Posts: 265
Registered: 4-29-2004
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
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No Spanish a Liability?
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?
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tocaya
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 5-18-2004
Location: Los Cabos, BCS
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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!
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Is this true
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 ????
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tocaya
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 5-18-2004
Location: Los Cabos, BCS
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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.
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rogerj1
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Posts: 265
Registered: 4-29-2004
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
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Some spanish enough?
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?
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Business transactions
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.
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backninedan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 865
Registered: 3-8-2003
Location: Loreto
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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
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Si, deme su dinero por favor. 
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
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Mood: missing Baja...
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Even tho...
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!!! 
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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since I've learned to speak the local language...
...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.
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
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Mood: missing Baja...
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Who?
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.:? lease explain .
[Edited on 5-23-2004 by Sallysouth]
[Edited on 5-23-2004 by Sallysouth]
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Kathleen
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 4-12-2004
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inexpensively
| 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
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Kathleen
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
Mother Teresa
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Los Cabos
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 ?
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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The "Idiot" remark
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.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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No, you got it wrong...
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]
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
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Mood: missing Baja...
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Thanks!
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]
[Edited on 5-24-2004 by Sallysouth]
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Mood: There yet?
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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.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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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]
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Mood: There yet?
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Guess I have always considered manners and kindness as 'table stakes'...you know the minimum cost of doing business
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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yeah,
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.
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