tjBill - 11-29-2008 at 01:28 AM
Is there a particular word in Mexico for all the Mexican/America deported back to Mexico?
They form quite a community in baja norte.
Woooosh - 11-29-2008 at 10:26 AM
mexi-trash
IMHO this is the most dangerous group for Americans to be wary of. They've already been permanently deported back to Mexico with all their gang and
prison ties intact. The USA doesn't want them and Mexico doesn't want them back. They speak perfect English and know how trusting Americans can be in
certain situations and use that against us. No- they don't really have a sick child, or a hurt dog or need $5 for gas to get to work. They have many
compelling hard-luck stories they have fine tuned in prison and stateside. They have no work papers (not that they want or would even accept a real
job) and live purely on crime proceeds. There are thousands of them in Baja norte- because that's where the USA dumps them.
BajaGringo - 11-29-2008 at 10:51 AM
Not all of the deportados are ex-cons but I have found that most here seem to divide them into two groups:
1. Those who were not able to get their papers done and were caught in a raid, sweep or random law enforcement stop. They are generally hard working
people who only seek a better life for themselves and their families.
2. Ex-cons who were involved in crime before they ever left Mexico and continued that life once north of the border. When deported to Mexico they most
likely will blend back in with their old gangs or perhaps newly formed alliances with connections NOB.
Here in Baja the first group quickly assimilates back into society although their US born children may take longer, especially those that did not
learn Spanish. They do eventually make it back into the flow of things and most here see them no differently than anyone else albeit they have a story
to tell of life NOB.
The second group is generally referred to as cholos, whether they were born in Mexico or the US.
tjBill - 11-29-2008 at 12:07 PM
The group in the 'cholo' class is quite problematic for any foreigner in Baja.
There was a gringo man in my neighborhood who did not speak any Spanish. A cholo befriended him and served as his translator and handyman around the
house.
Until the cholo disappeared with 10K of his computer equipmment.
flyfishinPam - 11-29-2008 at 12:46 PM
know what? you guys are racists, naw. just kidding.
there are many slimy gringos that behave this way too. they are true actors and parasites. they are very patient and know exactly what they're
doing. they befriend a gringo for a long time in order to gain their trust before making the final big sting then they disappear. they speak English
and tell you what you want to hear they see how much trust they can gain from you and use it take full advantage. I've seen these types wander
through town several times and when I was new here was duped by two of them. not badly, but enough to learn a real good lesson early on. my lesson
was that people like us who love the Baja when we live here or are spending time here we look at the world differently and through more innocent eyes.
life is good so we think its good for all around us especially here and that makes us trust people more and this makes us targets.
"trust no one that you don't know"
keep this mantra prominent and at the top of your mind when meeting someone for the first time who you perceive may eventually be in a position to get
something from you. go with your gut instinct and stick with it. they will sense that you're onto them and then you won't see them often in the
future if ever again. they are professionals and know a waste of time bad target when they meet one.
To combat the bilingual cholo, the ability to Speak Spanish will not only make you more independent as you go about your daily business but you will
also quickly be able to overcome these types. this actually becomes fun when they don't know that you already speak Spanish and you don't let on.
you just wait for the right moment then make your own big sting.
Woooosh - 11-29-2008 at 12:50 PM
I've had both good and bad expereinces with the "cholos". The best experience was one heavily tatooed deportee that just wanted to start over and
live a simple life in Mexico. He tried living the "cholo" life down here and got his head crushed with a rock in a street fight like he was a bug.
After he recovered (two months) I wrote him a reference letter and he got a job at the new WalMart (for $85 for a five and half day work week). He
found a studio apt for $100 a month in Rosarito and made all new friends from work. He's poor, but seems very happy. He keeps his ink covered
sopeople don't judge him before they know him. He knew he made a lot of mistakes in the past and was mentally exhausted. He got his fresh start and
now it's been six months. Good for him.
[Edited on 11-29-2008 by Woooosh]
BajaGringo - 11-29-2008 at 03:28 PM
There are stories like that and they always remind us of the old adage that just as evil exists in the very best of us, some good exists as well in
those we see as evil.
Just keep your cash and wallet in your pocket...
LOSARIPES - 11-30-2008 at 05:02 AM
They are called Cholos if they are the tattooed type, dressed funny, sort of gang style, a bit like the black gang member, speaks his own coded
language and tends to be most aggressive, disrespectful and abusive with the average citizen. Likes black and chrome even on his person and exhibits
an exotic image by any and all means possible. Hats and feathers are not unusual on them. These guys are mostly American Citizens and don't come to
Mexico much. I don't see them involved on any sport or cultural activity. Dangerous guys but easy to identify. Stays within its own territory.
The pochos are those guys caught in between the two cultures. Broken English, poor Spanish. Speak "Spanglish" very fluid amongst themselves and
sometime sound funny. -Its funny how they can take a verb in English and conjugate it in Spanish- (Yo te trasteo = I trust you)
Pochos can re-adapt to Mexican culture without much difficulty and are used to work for the most part.
Local Mexicans tend to reject both groups. They don't like the cholos for obvious reasons and they resent the pochos because of their Spanglish and
"superior" (more and better culture, bilingual) attitude.
That is what I've seen with these guys....
Now that they are coming back, let's hope they find jobs and good things to do... there is enough unemployment already.....