BajaNomad

Bringos

Osprey - 3-23-2005 at 07:30 AM



The Bringos

I have lived in Mexico for several years. I refer to myself as a GRINGO. Etymologists are springing from their chairs now to let us know that the term PROBABLY derived from the Spanish word for Greeks. Mexicans are not the only folks allowed to coin new words. My new neighbors, retirees from the U.S. and Canada, I call "Bringos".
"Bringos" bring things with them. They have other baggage; every piece absolutely essential to life in Mexico.
Most Mexicans never get to see and enjoy all the corporeal things that arrive. They have ample opportunity to sample the contraband carried in the hearts and minds of their new neighbors after they have unpacked and settled in.
I'm not into laundry lists of "bringo impedimenta" but I will mention the obtrusive things they have lovingly padded and packed, lugged along, protecting and cherishing as though Mexico held a niche for each object, opinion and observation, perfectly formed; ready and waiting (God knows how long) for their auspicious arrival.

Lazy Boy Lounge chairs
Shag rugs
Vacuum cleaners
Tractor lawn mowers
Bread makers
Cellular phones
Grandfather clocks
Leaf blowers

Humidifiers, 200 year old politics, not-in-my-back-yard protectionism, unionism, a driving need to change local customs, habits, governments, attitudes, public services, the tax system, transportation, medical services, religious practices, animal husbandry, environmental policy, the language and the skin color of all the quaint people who are in their way when they (only occasionally and most fearfully) venture forth from their New England style cottage to change one more thing -- dollars into pesos.
I flash to a jarring difference between these people who once traveled to Mexico and other foreign countries on vacation, now settled here and hunkered down. When they vacationed, they came to sample all things having a Mexican flavor; the spicy food, fun in the sun, fishing, swimming, Margaritas by the pool, lobster dinners with a romantic view of the ocean. It was then that they TOOK THINGS. Yes, that's right, they took, not brought. They purchased the ubiquitous T Shirts, cheap bottles of Kahlua and lugged them home.




They struggled to order shrimp at the restaurant in their broken Spanish and treated those around them with respect, not molesting every one they met with their ideas about plans for the "Modern Mexico as I See It" what we should do about "the poor people", ?joining together to stop Mexico from building this thing, ruining that thing, changing anything.?.
But even then, way back then, they must have been thinking "You know, Margaret, this is so nice here, these friendly little people, in their tiny block houses with the palm roofs; all this cactus and sunshine almost all year round. We could come down here to live, encapsulate ourselves in a house just like ours up in North Dakota. We could get a TV dish, a zillion channels; I could get the FOOTBALL PACKAGE, you could order ENCORE or STARZ. We can buy pizzas and freeze them. The beer is almost as good as BUD and nobody down here has a GUN. We could build our house in a little village and help the poor people find a better life, show them how to find better jobs and tell them about the importance of dental hygiene and a college degree. We could send pictures of the house to your sister in Klamath".
While timeless works of art, crafted over 30 centuries by artisans of the Maya, Olmec, Tarahumaras Indians, the more contemporary Huichol and Oaxacans, lie in crates, gathering dust, in warehouses of museums closed for lack of interest, tractor-trailers of whole departments of KMart plastic and chrome kitchen frills and fixtures destined for Casa "Ralph and Margaret" can't get there soon enough.
Maybe, after time, I will warm to my new neighbors and their strange ways. Perhaps I will chill out, have a couple more Margaritas and not feel the need to write these things. Perhaps I will not feel the need to even turn on my computer. I love my computer; couldn't do without it. It was one of the first things I brought down. My Patio World pink lawn flamingos came down much later.

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2005 at 07:46 AM

wow this is good, I wish I could express my thoughts as well as you Osprey. but sense I cant I'm glad you and I have the same perspective on Baja, its people and visitors.

Cyndarouh - 3-23-2005 at 07:56 AM

Osprey, I also wish I could express my words in writing as well as you do. Thank you, Cynda

Oh Osprey!

Skeet/Loreto - 3-23-2005 at 08:00 AM

You say it so well:
Many years ago Virginia and I knew things were going to change when Milk started arriving in Cartons and Cottage cheese First arrived in Loreto!!

How very true are your Words.

Skeet/Loreto

Dave - 3-23-2005 at 09:02 AM

Why is it that those who chastise "gringos" for importing their culture to Mexico, living among their own kind, then refer to Mexicans doing the same in the States as "preserving their culture"?

Why isn't there an outcry against Barrio Logan or East LA? Is that the way for foreigners to behave in the U.S.?;D

surfer jim - 3-23-2005 at 09:03 AM

Now we got pinchie Bringos to watch out for....:o

Dave

Osprey - 3-23-2005 at 09:18 AM

Those Mexicans in the Logan barrio in East L.A. I guess they're retirees?

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2005 at 09:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Why is it that those who chastise "gringos" for importing their culture to Mexico, living among their own kind, then refer to Mexicans doing the same in the States as "preserving their culture"?

Why isn't there an outcry against Barrio Logan or East LA? Is that the way for foreigners to behave in the U.S.?;D


there is I make my vote in that I chose not to live in East L.A. I think that is the strongest protest. however I do chose to Live in Mulege because I like the people and the custom's and the lifestyle here. if I wanted to live the lifestyle of Fresno Ca. I would chose to live there.

there are many people that live here and stay in there little American community and bring all there food and toilet paper from the US they don't try to learn the language or custom's and spend most of there day complaining about Mexico and Mexicans some even admit that they hate Mexicans. these people are here only because they cant afford to retire in the US or wherever. :no:

MrBillM - 3-23-2005 at 07:28 PM

You mean to tell me that they have toilet paper in Mexico now ?? Shazam ! Will wonders never cease.

Dave - 3-23-2005 at 07:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Those Mexicans in the Logan barrio in East L.A. I guess they're retirees?


There are plenty of retirees living in the barrio. What does that have to do with anything?

People of like cultures tend to congregate. You guys complain about gringos doing it in Mexico. Why not Mexicans in the U.S.? Or Chinese, Italians....Whatever.

Dave - 3-23-2005 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
if I wanted to live the lifestyle of Fresno Ca. I would chose to live there.


Which part of Fresno? I haven't been there but I'd be willing to bet there is a Mexican community. Any takers?


there are many people that live here and stay in there little American community and bring all there food and toilet paper from the US they don't try to learn the language or custom's


Substitute Mexican for American (and big for little) and you have described East LA.

Bringos A & B &...

Gypsy Jan - 3-23-2005 at 08:02 PM

I think there are various varieties of Bringos.

Moving to a new area is scary. Moving to a new country with a different language and customs is scarier still.

Bringo A drags down what he deems necessary to provide comfort and reinforcement and never gets beyond importing "the right stuff" as far as groceries and toilet paper is concerned.

Bringo B takes items to furnish the new home that make it comfortable, welcoming and familiar, editing the excess and donating to the community. Bringo B starts to venture out and learn about his neighbors beyond the narrow gringo ghetto and "bringos" more stuff that is then donated. in a meaningful way.

It's up to you what kind of Bringo you want to be.

eetdrt88 - 3-23-2005 at 08:14 PM

i'm ready to retire,can i come???:spingrin::spingrin:

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2005 at 08:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by eetdrt88
i'm ready to retire,can i come???:spingrin::spingrin:


Baja north is nice I dont think you would like Baja south.:lol:

Some additional (probably useless) observations...

Mexray - 3-23-2005 at 11:34 PM

Most all cultures that 'immigrate' to a foreign land, bring their 'way of life' with them...and a great number seek others of their 'culture' to live near - maybe safety in numbers, or what ever makes one feel more comfortable.

These peoples bring with them what they can of their 'homeland' to help them continue their lives with some measure of familiarity. As we've seen in the USA, because of our guaranteed freedoms, religion plays a big part in the bond of various culture's that have settled within our shores.

This 'phenomena' of "Bringos' (in meaningful amounts) moving to Mexico is a relatively 'recent' development - say, perhaps, within the last 30 years or so.

Bringos being like other 'cultures' bring their stuff with them - and it's hard to deny that most 'Bringos' have more 'stuff' available to them to bring than probably any other 'culture' in the world. However, I truly believe that the 'Bringos' are also the most 'giving' group or 'culture.

Let's forget about their motivations for the minute, the fact remains that 'Bringos' give more back to their communities than any other 'culture'! Is it wrong to want to give some of your 'stuff' to others in or out of 'need'? It's probably 'built-into' the Bringo 'Culture'.

I know, it's the age old argument of changing the environment (culture) by just being there. Rural life on the rancho's and small villages, is indeed being changed as time goes by...the information age has as much to do with these changes as anything - we just can't ignore it - it's the year 2005, and like it or not, time just can't be turned back. We'd like to think we can control it with more laws, taxes, fees, roads, condoms, or whatever - but we can't!

Much said here is indeed true - Bringos have changed the way of life in much of Baja...why has it happened? Who's to blame? There's lots of 'blame' to go around. We all look at the paving of hwy 1 as the 'turning point' in Baja's development - probably true. Can we look at Mexico's decision to allow easier entry into Baja's 'outback' for part of the 'blame' - sure.

I'm afraid that while we can talk about these changes, and postulate as why and how they happened, it will continue to happen and we can't send the 'baby' (now a teenager) back!


Bringos

Capt. George - 3-24-2005 at 06:51 AM

One of the great things about Bringos is the fact that many of them, on a regular basis, "bringo thingos" to their Mexicano neighbors (@ their request) on a regular basis.

Tired of all the "how it used to be", get over it, it's gonna change whether anyone, Mexicano or Norte Americano like it or not. I'd love for the little piece of paradise to stay how I've found it, it won't.

These little Pueblos are growing of their own accord and change will be necessary to support growing families....if we "Bringos" can help, and at the same time, impact their culture as little as possible, we all win....

Have to get back to all my Gringo toys, adios......el Vikingo de Bringo

Cyndarouh - 3-24-2005 at 08:55 AM

Capt. George You are right. The less impact the better.

Guilty as Charged

MrBillM - 3-24-2005 at 10:43 AM

I confess. I DO import virtually ALL of my Toilet Paper and Paper Towels. Better quality and cheaper. I'm Sooo Ashamed.

On the subject of those NASTY Bringos, how do you classify the Native Mexicans whose cars fill the Walmart Parking lot in Calexico, buying up everything that is a better deal than in Their own Country ? Are they Traitors ? Should not they be more condemned for not buying locally than we beastly Gringos ?

When I am frequently asked by Mexican citizens to bring back articles from the E.U.A. should I turn them down for their own good ? Insist that they spend their money in Mexico in support of their own government ?

I'm Sooo confused and I do want to do the right thing.

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2005 at 11:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I confess. I DO import virtually ALL of my Toilet Paper and Paper Towels. Better quality and cheaper. I'm Sooo Ashamed.

On the subject of those NASTY Bringos, how do you classify the Native Mexicans whose cars fill the Walmart Parking lot in Calexico, buying up everything that is a better deal than in Their own Country ? Are they Traitors ? Should not they be more condemned for not buying locally than we beastly Gringos ?

When I am frequently asked by Mexican citizens to bring back articles from the E.U.A. should I turn them down for their own good ? Insist that they spend their money in Mexico in support of their own government ?

I'm Sooo confused and I do want to do the right thing.


yes, yes and yes.

mike odell - 3-24-2005 at 09:02 PM

Jrbaja
Getting all the gringo food you crave at
Tio Pablos? your truck is there a lot!::spingrin:

Absolutely,

jrbaja - 3-25-2005 at 12:21 PM

you may even be seeing some Titanic props changing the scenery around there soon. That oughtta bringo in the gringos!
And, they also serve one of the best French Dip sandwiches I've ever encountered. I cain't live on just Empanadas you know.