BajaNomad - "Ugly American" - My story

"Ugly American" - My story

Paulina - 1-23-2008 at 01:52 PM

I wrote this last summer after returning from Baja. I didn't post it as I wasn't sure it quite fit the topic flow at the time. With another Ugly American topic already started, I thought maybe it was time to share my story.

Ugly Americans

We met these two gentlemen quite by accident. We were just leaving office hours at the Diaz compound when two American guys called us out as we were walking to our truck. They were sitting on the edge of the patio, sharing a six pack of Sol beer they had just purchased from Casa Diaz after pulling into town. They seemed friendly enough, asking about where to stay, who to fish with, etc. Their mode of transportation was a tricked out late model seventies Ford. They stated that they only wanted “Big fish” and they were fishing butterfly jigs only, no live bait. They wanted air conditioning and remarked that of course Hotel Casa Diaz didn’t fit their bill.

We did the polite small talk thing, as we slowly tried to make our way to our truck, noticing the uncomfortable looks from our panguero friend who was also trapped into the conversation. The older of the two, and the owner of the black Ford had exhausted his fishing lure lecture and now was convinced that he was going to convert us to his way of Ford thinking regarding transforming our stock diesel truck to be as tricked out as his old school model was. He knew someone who knew someone, etc. You get the picture.

Too many Sols after a long days drive.

We walked backwards far enough to get into our truck and drive away.

We saw them out on the water the next day, fishing with the Diaz pangas. They were among the “parking lot” meaning fishing just like all the other pangas for hire were. Their big talk yesterday of “fishing jigs only and not how the locals do it. We know better!” wasn’t happening this day. At the fish cleaning station later that afternoon, their cooler had the same amount of fish as the others, but this was also counting the fish their captain caught using live bait.

The station was pretty quiet as far as the bragging session went from their bench. We were all fishing at the same place. They used only jigs, everyone else had bait. They had claimed that real fishermen knew how to work the jigs; they would out fish the others. It didn’t happen.

The next day we drove into town to hang out with the pangueros and found the Ford guys at the station. We parked our truck, and melted into the afternoon. The pangueros were cleaning the days catch when Ford guy says to Jose as he motions towards Jose’s truck,

“Does that piece of yaaawnkaaay work?”

All conversations stops, both Spanish and English to watch and listen to what happens next.

The ugly American tosses his head towards Jose’s truck again, then whips out a few peso bills wadded into a ball and says to the panguero,

“Go buy me some beer. Sol.”

I bit my lip and said nothing as Jose quitely took the money, climbed into his truck and drove to Casa Diaz to buy this man his Sol beer.

When Jose got back, he walked up to this American, handed him the six pack of Sol that he had ordered and retreated back to the bench where the pangueros sat.

The Ugly American man sat in silence. He held the six pack of Sol beer out in front of him and said in a very loud voice,

“ Deeeenarooooo!! Where’s my dinero?”

Everyone looked at Jose as he answered in Spanish,

“You gave me the amount of money the beer cost. No change.”

The truth in fact was the money that the American gave him wasn’t enough. Jose had to kick in the 5 peso difference.

Of course this American didn’t understand what Jose said, but maybe due to the silence that was happening at the fish station he decided to open a beer and close his mouth.

The next day we see them again, out in the parking lot fishing with the rest of us. They were pulling up the same sized fish as everyone else. They were using bait as well this time. So much for real men only using jigs.

That afternoon at the Diaz fish cleaning station we got there about the same time as the pangueros arrived. We had noticed pulling in that the black Ford was still parked out at the Diaz launch ramp. We had time to hang out comfortably before the owner of that truck arrived.

Ice chests full of the days catch were being opened as fish were being slapped onto the wet concrete surface to be filleted. Jose had his truck door opened as tunes from his cassette player floated across the air, a few of the guys were singing along with the music. Tecates were passed around as I asked Pablo to show me how to butterfly a large grouper. Pablo doesn’t drive the pangas, but helps the pangueros filet their catch.

I love to clean fish as much as I love to catch them. I never knew about the butterfly filet technique and was in the middle of soaking in the concept when the black Ford motored around the corner. Everyone looked at each other and all eyes were then turned upon me and Dern. We were the only gringos there. Jose turned down the music, the singing stopped and everyone stood there quietly filleting and waiting for what was to happen next.

By this time, it was the third day this Americano had fished with the Diaz pangueros. I had privately vented my opinion, I had had it up to my ears with this man and how I perceived his treatment to be of my friends, the pangueros who were taking him out fishing. They were not his gophers to go fetch his beer. Who was he to call Jose’s truck a piece of junk?

Believe it or not, I was not the one to call him out using the word “ugly”. Everyone at the station looked at each other. We all had the same look on our faces. I shook my head no, they smiled in agreement.

One panguero quietly said, “Muy feo”.

I said that I would not be hanging around, it was time to go.

At that point Pepe asked us if we would like a yellowtail to take home for dinner. Although we had fished that day, he knew that we were only fishing for our neighbors who could no longer go out due to health reasons, and we had caught our limit. He then directed us to his ice chest to grab a fish to take home. By this time the Americano had parked his truck at the station, and had planted himself down on a bench. He saw us taking a fish out of Pepe’s panga and asked what we thought we were doing.

“Pepe gave us a fish for dinner.” I replied.

The Ugly man said, “I gave Pepe that fish.”

I looked at Pepe, and he said, “That fish is mine, and I give it to you.”

We smiled and thanked Pepe again and went on our way.

The following afternoon we were having office hours at Casa Diaz with our friends, a few other pangueros and Pablo included. Tecates and stories were being passed around amongst amigos as the black Ford motors up. All eyes turn towards the truck as the driver steps out carrying a large electric fan in both arms. It was probably a nice fan when it was built, back in the 1950s. He marches up holding the fan as if it were a trophy.

“What are you doing with that?” I asked him.

Mr. Ugly answers, “This is a fan and it used to work really good, but it took a beating in the backa my truck, so I don’t know if it works or not, but I know just who I’m going to give it to.” He marches the fan up to Pablo and says in English,

“Here. This is for you. Now go buy me a beer.”

Pablo’s understanding of English is limited. He took the fan with a blank look on his face and stood there.

Mr. Ugly says, “Where’s my beer? Go get me a Beer!”

Pablo understands beer and goes into Diaz market to buy him a cervesa with his own limited funds. Mr. Ugly then grabs up a chair, pulling it into our office hour circle. I politely excuse myself to go into the market. As I’m walking out I hear him talking about how he’s been coming to Bahia for over thirty years…etc.

I just kept on walking to my truck. Dern was right behind me and went on our way. Fortunatly this man was leaving in the morning and life would go back to normal.

All gringos are not the same, thank God. Ugliness comes in all shapes, sizes. It appears in different ethnicities, and financial backgrounds. Unfortunately it seems to me that the ugliness is becoming more prevalent as more people come in from the north, or maybe it’s been there all along and I’m just now noticing it.

When I see the looks on the faces of the Mexican people and they aren’t smiling as much as I remember, I wonder if it’s because they are waiting to see how ugly or how beautiful I am going to turn out to be.

P<*)))><

[Edited on 23-1-2008 by Paulina]

DENNIS - 1-23-2008 at 02:10 PM

People like that just need to be flushed with all the other recycled burritos of the world.

bajaboolie - 1-23-2008 at 02:35 PM

How very classy of you not to give him a piece of your mind...but you wouldn't want to stoop to his level I suppose.

It's stories like this and those I've seen myself of Americans in Mexico (and other countries) that make me cringe. I was in England years ago standing in line at a car rental place when I witnessed a woman at the counter complain about the terrible service she was receiving. She actually said "I'm an AMERICAN!!" as though she were entitled to better service than anyone else. I was horrified!

Hook - 1-23-2008 at 02:37 PM

I'm not sure those guys were actually Americans.

They sound like Texans to me. :biggrin:

Barry A. - 1-23-2008 at 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
I'm not sure those guys were actually Americans.

They sound like Texans to me. :biggrin:

Oh oh-----you better smile when you say that, podner!!

Skipjack Joe - 1-23-2008 at 02:58 PM

Thanks for sharing that Paulina.

I have a story similar to 'bajaboolie's' that occured in Poland years ago but can't remember enough of it to flush it out as well as yours.

So you like to clean fish - eh? I remember a friend of mine who told me that and we left him with about 80 trout to clean at a boy scout camp. He never volunteered again.

It just occured to me that Ugly Americans also occur in the US ... only we call them jerks. What I'm trying to say is that a jerk is a jerk no matter where he lives. It's just that when he comes south of the border he's called an ugly american. I would be surprised if he treats his wife and family members any better at home. But maybe I'm wrong. People do change when they feel they're dealing with someone inferior.

An interesting side note that I thought I'd share:

I remember from my anthropology class many decades ago that at one time scientists didn't think that all people were equal. There was a time when being white was considered the peak of the evolutionary line. Blacks, hispanics, and asians were intermediate steps in the process of evolution that moved all mankind towards being caucasian. Thus you could never educate and civilize one of these races because they just lacked what it took.

Halboo - 1-23-2008 at 03:21 PM

The Ugly American is far and away my least favorite type.
You see them all over and they stand out in a crowd...
And they are everywhere.............
Sometimes it's downright embarrassing being an American.
They are even running the country :!:

Osprey - 1-23-2008 at 03:23 PM

Sometimes it can be a language thing and sneak up on you. While being shown around by a teen ranchero in a beautiful mountain rancho he proudly showed me all the exotic (to me) rancho plants including some sugar cane that looked just like carriso (bamboo) to me -- as he pointed to it I exclaimed "No Way" (just an expression amigo) and then I could see his smile disappear. I spent an hour in a slingshot competition with him and his siblings - they kicked my butt -- and all was forgiven. I have never since said "No Way" about anything.

Santiago - 1-23-2008 at 03:58 PM

Wow - jerk is right.
Like Osprey, years ago I once stepped in it. While waiting for a flight out of Loreto I asked the ticket agent how to say "dirty" in spanish as I had turned in my rental car with dust everywhere and wanted to appologise to the car rental agency and give them a few extra bucks for the cleaning job they were going to have to do. The look on her face was pure disgust as she assumed I wanted to use the word to describe Baja. I slunk away and hid in the corner 'til the plane left.

gibson - 1-23-2008 at 04:01 PM

"only two things come outta texas, boy!" :lol:

DENNIS - 1-23-2008 at 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
The look on her face was pure disgust as she assumed I wanted to use the word to describe Baja. I slunk away and hid in the corner 'til the plane left.

Sounds as though one of you was just a bit over-sensitive.

Roberto - 1-23-2008 at 04:10 PM

So which Nomad do you suppose drives a "a tricked out late model seventies Ford"?

Wouldn't that be funny? :lol:

DENNIS - 1-23-2008 at 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
So which Nomad do you suppose drives a "a tricked out late model seventies Ford"?

The Gull?

Packoderm - 1-23-2008 at 05:20 PM

That is quite a story Paulina. There was once a particular person I know who would somewhat fit your description of the lead character of your story, but as the years passed Baja had a tremendous effect on calming him down. He had changed. Perhaps the best way to react to the Ugly American is to give him or her the benefit of the doubt that it is a temporary condition.

Oso - 1-23-2008 at 05:25 PM

When I find myself in similar situations I take a tip from Bill Maher, look at the Mexicans, shrug my shoulders and say "Yo soy suizo."

Paulina - 1-23-2008 at 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
So which Nomad do you suppose drives a "a tricked out late model seventies Ford"?

Wouldn't that be funny? :lol:

I've saved my Ugly Nomad American stories for another time... :saint:

Roberto, that thought did cross my mind last summer when I was so hot to get to my keyboard to vent about this guy. I have a feeling that if he were a Nomad, his attitude would have surfaced here a long time ago. He could have a Nomad buddy though....That would be interesting.

P<*)))><

vandenberg - 1-23-2008 at 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
So which Nomad do you suppose drives a "a tricked out late model seventies Ford"?

Wouldn't that be funny? :lol:

Not me.

Mine is early 70's

CaboMagic - 1-23-2008 at 06:42 PM

Hello Paulina - I appreciate your posting your well written story, tho it makes me sad to be reminded that I am far from alone in my personal viewings of this abominable behaviour.

Nevertheless I remain optimistic that treating people with dignity and respect will continue to be contagious and be spread by those with compassion & kindness blood running thru their veins. Lori

bajaguy - 1-23-2008 at 06:49 PM

Paulina....what state was the truck's license plate????

Paulina - 1-23-2008 at 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Paulina....what state was the truck's license plate????

California

P<*)))><

DianaT - 1-23-2008 at 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Paulina....what state was the truck's license plate????

California

P<*)))><

Uh oh---guess we should put the Guatemalan plates back on. :spingrin:

Seriously, it is always difficult to watch, but I tend to agree with Skipjack, Igor---these guys would be jerks anywhere. That does not excuse their behavior in anyway.

Igor's statement about the treatment of others when one feels superior, IMHO, is too often the case. One of the reasons we left our jobs in Guatemala was we could not stand to watch how the "elite" treated the rest of the population----it was really awful and the so called American School not only catered to the elite, but the administration saw nothing wrong with the attitudes.

When you see a 6 year old member of the "elite" class scream at and kick her Mayan teenage personal muchacha because she did not take her lunch pail quick enough, and the administration sees nothing wrong with this behavior, it is time to leave. That is only one example of many.

I mention it only as an example of "ugly" behavior that transcends cultures and borders.

But, like others, it was more difficult to watch this and the acceptance of this behavior when it came from US citizens--that is, of course, if one is a US citizen.

Diane

[Edited on 1-24-2008 by jdtrotter]

BAJACAT - 1-23-2008 at 07:29 PM

O no the shame im a also a Californian.Thanks Pualina,thats and interesting story,you guys did the right thing.Some times takes more class not to say anything than, to be lower to there leve,and get into a phisical confrontation.here the saying aplies,Good roads,bad people..lol

Roberto - 1-23-2008 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
When I find myself in similar situations I take a tip from Bill Maher, look at the Mexicans, shrug my shoulders and say "Yo soy suizo."

Guess it's one of those "had to be there things", because I can tell you, from personal experience, that being Swiss doesn't exempt you from being ugly, far from it.

As has been said before, being ugly has nothing to do with Nationality.

BMG - 1-23-2008 at 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Guess it's one of those "had to be there things"

You don't even need to be there. Unfortunately, I've read too much ugliness on this board. I suspect that most of the offenders don't even realize it.

Oso - 1-23-2008 at 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
When I find myself in similar situations I take a tip from Bill Maher, look at the Mexicans, shrug my shoulders and say "Yo soy suizo."

Well, I could try saying "Yo soy Italiano" but i'm not sure i could get the arm movements and body language right. :lol:

bajaguy - 1-23-2008 at 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
Well, I could try saying "Yo soy Italiano" but i'm not sure i could get the arm movements and body language right. :lol:

Correct, Oso......you have to be born with it!!!!

DianaT - 1-23-2008 at 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Guess it's one of those "had to be there things"

You don't even need to be there. Unfortunately, I've read too much ugliness on this board. I suspect that most of the offenders don't even realize it.

While I doubt there would be any disagreement with the "ugliness" Paulina described, overall, what could be considered "ugliness" is certainly defined differently by people on this forum.

BMG - 1-23-2008 at 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

overall, what could be considered "ugliness" is certainly defined differently by people on this forum.

I have no doubt about that at all!

But then I guess life would be a little bland if there was only one flavor of ice cream.

CaboRon - 1-23-2008 at 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gibson
"only two things come outta texas, boy!" :lol:

Unfortunately GWB was one of them....

CaboRon

Ugly

TMW - 1-24-2008 at 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by gibson
"only two things come outta texas, boy!" :lol:

Unfortunately GWB was one of them....

CaboRon

If you really want to see UGLY on this board tune in if Hillary gets elected president.

durrelllrobert - 1-24-2008 at 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
People like that just need to be flushed with all the other recycled burritos of the world.

sounds like he was already flushed and recycled