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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
How about the crowding and pushing while standing in lines in Mexico vs US???????
Personal space in Mexico is considerably less of what is common in US. |
wow, that is not my experience at all...visitors are baffled here when there is a line for example at the telegraph office...we dont actually stand in
line...people mill about, talk to others, look for their phone bill...but everyone is aware who came in and in what order and when it is your turn,
you just amble up to the teller..... |
Lines in your neck of the woods probably don't compare to those I have experienced in the larger cities like Tijuana, Guadalajara and Mexico City.
It's not a condemnation of the politeness of the country, just a cultural distinction I have observed.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
Interesting point to ponder Dennis about left over serfdom...but boy I tell ya...living in a respectful culture...no matter where the respect came
from...is refreshing.
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That's a personal evaluation, Shari...one which I totally agree with, but our NOB social contracts are written from a different outline and it works
for us.
I guess we should agree that each culture is different rather than right or wrong.
There's room for improvement on both sides of the border.
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20372
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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a day in the life
| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
A DAY IN THE LIFE
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I read the news today oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grave
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh
I saw the photograph
He blew his mind out in a car
He didn't notice that the lights had changed
A crowd of people stood and stared
They'd seen his face before
Nobody was really sure
If he was from the House of Lords.
I saw a film today oh boy
The English Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
but I just had to look
Having read the book
I'd love to turn you on
Woke up, fell out of bed,
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup,
And looking up I noticed I was late.
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in second splat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke,
and Somebody spoke and I went into a dream
I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
I'd love to turn you on
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
when you get close to the front you are EXPECTED to try to get the guy's attention. The first time, I just patiently waited for the guy to see me and
take my order....he never did but people behind me were yelling out orders and getting them....I was perplexed but upon observing the "custom" of how
to get a taco..I figured it out that you needed to step up and be more aggressive... |
There it is, Shari. What we consider to be chaotic and rude in our culture is the norm in Mexico.
It's different. Not bad.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Katiejay99
IThey said they told all their Mexican friends to just walk right in and knock on the door. I tried so hard to explain the customs here and to let
them know that actually the Mexicans were being very respectful. |
Respect? Yeah...for the unseen dog. I've lived in neighborhoods here where Mexicans won't even walk on the sidewalk for fear of that same dog in the
yard.
How about the young man who comes over to pick up your daughter for a first date and sits in his car honking the horn to bring her outside?
In Mexico, that is the way it is.
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Katiejay99
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Posts: 429
Registered: 9-3-2008
Location: Todos Santos
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Mood: it is what it is
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Sorry Dennis - gotta disagree with you.
A Mexican MAY honk the horn to get your attention (not very likely) but parents NEVER allow a daughter to go out and just leave without the young man
properly presenting himself first. Respect - the young man knows it, the girl knows it and the parents know it - it is a custom here. Has nothing to
do with dogs.
Things are just different, not to say one is good or bad, just different.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
A DAY IN THE LIFE
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I read the news today oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grave
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh
I saw the photograph
He blew his mind out in a car
He didn't notice that the lights had changed
A crowd of people stood and stared
They'd seen his face before
Nobody was really sure
If he was from the House of Lords.
I saw a film today oh boy
The English Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
but I just had to look
Having read the book
I'd love to turn you on
Woke up, fell out of bed,
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup,
And looking up I noticed I was late.
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in second splat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke,
and Somebody spoke and I went into a dream
I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
I'd love to turn you on |
acid flash-back?
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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Thank you all for the tidbits on Mexican culture. Hopefully... I'll soak them up.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What do people do different in baja than they do in the North. A lot is not the same.
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I won't describe my day-to-day activity but I will tell you that one thing that I would never do down here is ride a byicycle on the narrow
highways.
Bob Durrell
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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Think maybe Mexicans drive the way they do is because, unlike the states, there is no testing on the safe way to drive? Just a guess
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by krafty
Think maybe Mexicans drive the way they do is because, unlike the states, there is no testing on the safe way to drive? Just a guess
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We obey laws differently because we have a more thorough system of law enforcement. When's the last time you payed a steet cop in the US?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Katiejay99
A Mexican MAY honk the horn to get your attention (not very likely) but parents NEVER allow a daughter to go out and just leave without the young man
properly presenting himself first. |
Oh well.....I'm smart enough to know that when someone uses the term, NEVER, the conversation is over.
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bigzaggin
Nomad
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Registered: 5-27-2004
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Mood: way too ites
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Inevitably, any conversation about "cultural distinctions" must devolve into us v. them. It's almost a chatroom law, especially when ex-pats are
involved. We become like college students, back from our first trip to Europe, which we somehow think is better because the buildings are older and
dinner is served at a different time.
I live in Los Angeles, an oft-perceived epicenter of evil/rudeness/whatever. I have had strangers here pull over and help me with my car. I shop at
places where the store-owners greet everyone and vice versa. People tell me to enjoy my meal all the time. Do strangers wave in passing cars? No.
But is that function of the culture or the population? And conversely, I rarely hear strangers whistling at teenage girls and I think being openly
gay is pretty okay here.
Point is - and point should always be IMHO - people are people all over the place. Do I love the pace and customs of life in Baja? Of course I do or
I wouldn't spend my entire life fixating on the place. Do I think it's somehow better or, more simple in some perpetually magical way? No. That has
not been my experience. Amazing scenery, warm people, and a value on selflessness...exist everywhere, if you know where to look.
That said, it's pretty much impossible to score a great fish taco in LA. Baja wins on that one hands down. And good luck finding Noche Buena.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bigzaggin
That said, it's pretty much impossible to score a great fish taco in LA. Baja wins on that one hands down. And good luck finding Noche Buena.
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On the other hand, there's no "Pantry" in Baja. 
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chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
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Mood: baj nomad is broken
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coffee
This morning I woke at 7. Good morning, good morning, all around. Someone saw me with an empty cup in my hand and showed me a kettle full of hot
water. I sipped my coffee out front and people said good morning some more. A girl with long black hair stuck her tongue out at me, but would not
let me step on her toe. The lady making tortitas leaned herself out the window. After getting my dictionary I discovered she wants me to get a job
instead of bargaining over the price of a tortita. (Senorita, no card verde). She also recommends I get some green chillies for my sandwich.
Around 10 I started kicking a blow up ball around the court yard with a 5 year old boy. He does not allow girls of any age to play ball ?¿? In just
a few minutes the ball was confiscated by his mother. No mallow, si bueno. The ball is still confiscated, and he wont sneak and get it. Do people
really sleep that late¿
In the North I sit at a coffee shop and stare out the window, but refills are free.
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
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chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
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Mood: baj nomad is broken
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| Quote: | Originally posted by krafty
Think maybe Mexicans drive the way they do is because, unlike the states, there is no testing on the safe way to drive? Just a guess
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The Mexicans are more far more likely to hit the brakes, wait till it is clear and pass safely on a narrow shoulder less road. The Americans are more
likely to try and pass at full speed, (10 too 30 mph above the speed limit,) without a thought of safety or concern for other people.
not a guess
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
Around 10 I started kicking a blow up ball around the court yard with a 5 year old boy. He does not allow girls of any age to play ball ?¿? In just
a few minutes the ball was confiscated by his mother. No mallow, si bueno. The ball is still confiscated, and he wont sneak and get it. Do people
really sleep that late¿
In the North I sit at a coffee shop and stare out the window, but refills are free. |
Keep playing with that five year old boy and your view may once again change.
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chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
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Mood: baj nomad is broken
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Many people can not type this well.
| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
I guess I prefer mumbled lip service to the abrubt, heartless, arrogant lip of extranjeros.
this thread was started to delve into the different social aspects of LIFE in baja....Another interesting difference here is that when you go to buy
something or go to borrow or contract someone to do something...you dont just barge in and say....give me 2 pounds of 1/2 inch nails...or I need a
door for my garage....first you say buenos dias, como esta, y tu esposa? como va su hija en escuela, como sigue tu mama....you ask about the family,
how the mother's health is, how the daughter is doing in school...in short, you open with a personal conversation showing you care about the family or
village or whatever....THEN after a short (or long) conversation, you get around to what you need.
I know this wastes your "valuable" time..but somehow living here changes our "values" and what becomes meaningful are the personal exchanges that
happen throughout the day...the friendships forged...the smiles and jokes exchanged...not the nails you go to buy. Your project may take a half hour
longer but you enjoyed getting the nails and most likely learned something or laughed out loud.
I realize that perhaps this type of life is not found in some bigger cities...maybe places like DF, Pta.Banda or Ensenada but here in rural baja, the
old polite ways are practised. I have become a better person since moving here and really notice the difference when non baja folks come down and seem
rude. I often get asked by locals why extranjeros are so very rude...most visitors dont even realize they are considered rude as they are just doing
what they always do NOB.
Interesting point to ponder Dennis about left over serfdom...but boy I tell ya...living in a respectful culture...no matter where the respect came
from...is refreshing.
Dave...we dont get alot of visitors from south of the Mason-Dixie...most visitors are from the west coast. I dont mean to generalize either...of
course I realize there are polite and rude people everywhere but we're talking in generalities here and perceptions...which of course depend on where
you live and who you deal with. |
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20372
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What do people do different in baja than they do in the North. A lot is not the same.
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I won't describe my day-to-day activity but I will tell you that one thing that I would never do down here is ride a byicycle on the narrow
highways. |
have you ridden a bicycle in 10 years
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chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: baj nomad is broken
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Are the words bank and government interchangeable! Are the people of the north so hurriedly trying to pay the bank they forgot how to live¿?
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
but Governments, both north and south prefer to program instability and mistrust in order to destabilize the California region for their economic
benefit. |
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
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