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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Shades of Baja
Shades of Baja
Lots of our posts include the words Baja, Gringo and Mexican. Those things are so subjective it becomes necessary for us to narrow everything down.
That’s not easily done. I shall try.
The Places
The worst place to be/retire.
At the bottom there are fewer choices. I think the least desirable spot might be the Rio Colorado barrio in Tijuana. (Runner’s up were Cartonlandia in
San Lucas and Puertecitos)
The best place to be/retire.
Don’t send me letters on the best place to live – there are scores of good candidates. If you assume the average gringo retiree will choose services
over rustic/romantic/tropical then La Paz would make a perfect number one.
Now to peg the people:
Gringo Best
Fifty something man and wife with a lot of Spanish, a nice retirement plan, in good health and with no particular bias against Baja’s people or laws.
They are sure about where and what they want/need down here and have planned well. In the states they were known to be active but not militant in
community affairs, good neighbors and good citizens. He likes to fish, she gardens. They walk and jog in the morning.
Gringo Worst
50 to 80s divorced male who has only his S.S. benefits and retirement benefit from the union. He went to court in the U.S. to prove his back injury
and won a disability award for life from the union which he receives every month along with his regular pension money. He was never really injured. He
can speak 41 words in Spanish. Half of those are slang curse words.
He did not like living in the states. He believes Mexicans hate him and all the other gringos – his paranoia shows in the inordinate amount of money
and thought and time that went into producing a veritable prison condition at his home. His hobbies are b-tching, drinking alcohol and watching sports
on television.
He begrudgingly takes to the road once or twice a year to drive back to the states to do his taxes, renew things, touch base with family, lie about
his real place of residence and have work done on his teeth, his truck, his trailer by real Americans, people he can trust..
After about 4 or 5 Pacificos he is willing and able to loudly argue either side of an argument. He has a Mexican gardener-handyman but the days he
comes to work are this gringos worst times – he is literally a hostage to the situation not being able to leave the house for any reason until the
Mexican is finished, off the property and the gates are once again secure.
Mexican Best
In his 50s he is married with 3 kids, captains a fishing charter boat. He loves courteous gringos especially quiet ones who tip big. He hates
loudmouthed gringos especially fishing clients who make his job more difficult and sometimes create dangerous situations at sea. Over the years he has
made scores of gringo friends who fish with him, come to his home, treat him like family. The family has one small pet, a dog who rarely barks. He
volunteers for repair and remodel work at the church. His wife works part time at DIF.
Mexican Worst
This village policeman boasts a huge beer belly and a loud and ruthless laugh. He is married with 4 kids at home. He has fathered 4 others in the
village – he forgets their names. His oldest son, age 16, has dropped out of school to sell drugs. The son allows his father a discount; the father
protects the son from the real law. He delights in following one immutable Mexican law – he plays his radio/boombox at max volume.
Giving names to the places, the people will give us a handy frame of reference: “He was acting like a Luis” or “He was a real Lloyd if you know what I
mean….”
We’ll be waiting for names you like, any other candidates and/or ideas you have. The only names not to be considered are Douglas, Jorge, Dennis, Udo
and Jesse.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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A little truth is always....
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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hmmmmm.......
gimme 10 years!
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Great story......
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Osprey, that was wierd, but on point in certain aspects, it seems to me. I like it when people sincerely tell it like it is from their own point of
view, right or wrong. There is always some (or alot of) truth disclosed, depends.
[Edited on 5-1-2010 by MitchMan]
[Edited on 5-1-2010 by MitchMan]
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Not only do your character descriptions hit the nail on the head, but I have been sitting here reflecting on the various shades in between. For
example, Bob is not quite a single Male Redneck with a rundown trailer, but he and his wife obviously spend at least half of the SS on getting
plastered every evening. They have been here 9 years and still do not ever talk to anyone except for an occasional "buenas Dias" and they go nuts
when the kids cut through his yard. They must be totally tired of "Bay Bass" which they eat at least three times a week. They were invited to the
neighbors Quincienera but thought the music was way too loud. She had some nursing experience but failed to see that the lady down the street needed
some extra care to get around the village in her walker. Their big event of the week is when the little restaurant in town has Chinese Food because
although the quality is not very good, the quantity is great so they load up and manage to take some home for the next days meal as well.
But since they are in some kind of self imposed exile, I try to get a big yellowtail to them every couple of weeks and always wave and ask about how
they are doing.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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 Typical Gringo at Worst
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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gmata
Junior Nomad
Posts: 39
Registered: 10-30-2008
Location: La Paz
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I liked your post i agree specially on the worst gringo i know many guys like that. But why is the Mexican always pictured as lower income/ low class
citizen? no disrispect and i agree boat captains are some of the nicest guys i've known but just in general the Gringo is pictured as a wealthy guy
and the mexican as poor dependent of gringos to make a living.
Just my pov sorry.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Gmata, no need to apologize for your point of view. Tell you the truth I don't know any wealthy Mexicans and I never really thought of that angle.
Everything is so very subjective -- in the states now I'd be eating at the soup kitchen, sleeping at the mission -- down here I'm the rich gringo in
town. I have a very rich life and so does my boat captain friend.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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I met some doozies in Guerro Negro. All is 50' motor homes and dressed to the nines. It was the nightly dinner in the restaurant that is on the
property of the RV park. Most are drunk or on their way. I think I hear one say "honey, can I touch a Mexican". When I enquire how they are enjoying
their trip they tell me they will never be back "I liked the Copper Canyon where our motor home was atop a flat car, what a party that was. Here it is
dry and dusty, the road is narrow and there is nothing to do. I will never come back."
Iflyfish
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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With an attitude like that I hope they never come back.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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Sadly, we know, that is the 'tude of the majority of Gringos that travel through Baja. No wonder the locals like to take advantage of them...they know
they'll never see them again.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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BajaOkie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 68
Registered: 3-4-2010
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Osprey, Spot on. I have been building a place here in Mulege and have seen the best and the worse of the transient and permanent gringo population.
Since I am kind of a "new guy" down here I sometimes come up against the gringos whom have been here awhile and have the attitude of "Been here since
1972" and do not readily take to new folks. I do not find that in the Mexican folks whom I hang around with or spend time getting to know. However,
in a two month period many more best of situations rather than the latter.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Welcome, Baja Okie
Drop by and visit. I make a pretty good coffee.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Looking down on one another
Don't know if this belongs here but it reminded me of this song:
Oh, the white folks hate the black folks
And the black folks hate the white folks
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clark
Are dancing cheek to cheek
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise
As long as you don't let 'em in your school
Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks
And the rich folks hate the poor folks
All of my folks hate all of your folks
It's American as apple pie
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans
'Cause it's very chic
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand
You can tolerate him if you try
Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics
And the Catholics hate the Protestants
And the Hindus hate the Moslems
And everybody hates the Jews
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
It's National Everyone-Smile-At-
One-Another-hood Week
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you
It's only for a week, so have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!
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gmata
Junior Nomad
Posts: 39
Registered: 10-30-2008
Location: La Paz
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Gmata, no need to apologize for your point of view. Tell you the truth I don't know any wealthy Mexicans and I never really thought of that angle.
Everything is so very subjective -- in the states now I'd be eating at the soup kitchen, sleeping at the mission -- down here I'm the rich gringo in
town. I have a very rich life and so does my boat captain friend. |
I agree with you on that also Osprey. Just want it you guys to realize not all mexicans are poor, some of us also travel to the united states and
other countries as tourist, or hire a panga for a day of fishing, stay in nice hotels in Cabo or other places.
Just tought it was funny that everytime i read a post here it seems that mexicans are always portrayed as poor and somehow inferior.
Have fun in Baja my friends.
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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Here is one for you to figure out.
I run a business in the Los Angeles area. One of my long time employees, who is Mexican and legal in the States, is very friendly and outgoing to
fellow Mexican countryman as well as to Americans.
Once in a while I take him out to lunch and when we eat at a “gringo” type of restaurant or a Mexican restaurant, he is his normal polite and friendly
self to non-Mexicans. I truly feel that this is not an act but his true feelings and personality. However, if the waiter/waitress or bus boy is
Mexican (or at the least Latino) he is very cold, aloof and border line rude! (At least in my eyes) He almost treats them like servants. I get the
feeling that he feels “above them” in his attitude. This is only towards people who wait on him, not any other Latino.
Anyone ever run into this?
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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My dos centavos is that what you witnessed is a cultural phenomenon arising from a long socioeconomic history of Mexico lacking a middle class. It has
been changing in the recent past what with all the manufacturing jobs that have sprung up. but the old ideas die hard.
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gmata
Junior Nomad
Posts: 39
Registered: 10-30-2008
Location: La Paz
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Howard,
I have no idea why he behaves like that, i don't think it is right he shouldn't change his attitude towards different groups of people, i guess he
feels he is better that them because he has a better job or because he is legal, who knows.
When i used to live in the states, ( my parents are mexican but i was born in the states) i always enjoyed finding mexicans so i could speak spanish
no matter what social class they were from. Now that i am back in Mexico i also have friends in every social class, i'am really good friends with
pangueros or important business man i don't care who they are or how much they have.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Howard
However, if the waiter/waitress or bus boy is Mexican (or at the least Latino) he is very cold, aloof and border line rude! (At least in my eyes) He
almost treats them like servants. I get the feeling that he feels “above them” in his attitude. This is only towards people who wait on him, not any
other Latino. |
You may be witnessing a characteristic of 'nouveau riche'.
Actually Latin America has a pretty stratified society. It's not so evident in baja but in Cancun it's more obvious. We're more subtle here. Don't
believe me? Wait until your daughter tells you she's going to marry that hippy she's been hanging out with.
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