Its been a while since I have written I apologize! I've been
taking some time to get used to the "fiesta" aspect of Spain culture
and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Now I am listening to the rain and
enjoying a cup of coffee having just woken up at 12 p.m. How indulgent...
Siesta's are another indulgent thing that
I used to feel guilty about taking. I would ask myself, "Really?
a nap right now? What have you done today to deserve a nap?!"
Now its more of, "You better get a 45 minute siesta in if you want
to last as late as these crazy people do..." I touched on this
earlier, but in many ways I would like to morph the American and Spanish
cultures together, because I now have a good idea about the positives and
negatives to both.
For example, Americans have the reputation
of being hardworking and always in a hurry. Spaniards have the reputation
of being lazy and indulgent. Can I get both please?! I'm also not calling
all Spanish people lazy (side note: Spaniards also don’t care much about
politically correctedness either…notice my immediate reaction to say not all Spanish
are lazy). Aside from my American need
to be politically correct, I have also faced a few stereotypes and had to
justify American culture in my classroom and around me. At school, one of my students looked at me
and asked, “Does everyone in America eat McDonald’s? Are they all fat?” I started to laugh and then another student
chimed in, “She’s not fat and she’s American, most Americans work out!” I was cracking up listening to their ideas of
American culture. Some were completely far-fetched,
others I had to shake my head sadly and say they were true.
Most of the time when I say I’m American (which I do say proudly I
can’t help it) people are generally pleasant, ask a couple of questions, and
try to speak in English too me. However,
I recently ran into a situation where I was told, “You seem nice, but in
general we don’t like Americans…” He
explained it was because of the fraternity culture and the students who come
over here to study abroad and just drink and get rowdy. I understand that stereotype, but naturally I
was quite offended!
Last night I hung out with my Spanish roommate and a few of his
friends for the first time and they too asked me questions about American
culture. It had more to do with American
television, Grand Theft Auto and the violence in our culture. Of course they were joking occasionally but
they definitely get a skewed vision in their heads of who we are.
For a lot of Spanish, touching and close proximity don’t seem to
be a problem for anyone. I’m used to
affectionate proximity from my family and have no problems with hugs, with
strangers however? That’s a different
story. I’m still getting used to the
double cheek kiss which is how you greet someone you’ve been introduced
too. Doesn’t matter if you’re male,
female, old young, if you’ve been introduced, you touch cheeks and make the
kiss sound. Several of my co-teachers
will hold my arm while explaining something to me. My Spanish roommate has pinched my cheek a couple
of times even in front of his girlfriend!
But that’s just it, they’re signs of endearment and they don’t think
twice about it and you see it everywhere.
I’m ready for another weekend and am excited that I have been here
for a month…missing home of course
No comments:
Post a Comment