Have you heard yourselves humming or singing a
piece of a song? I bet the answer is yes!
There is a reaction
from our brain. It is called Audition (or musical) “worm”. This thing is guilty
of our musical taste and our music preferences. So, it doesn’t matter the
language the song is, we tend to repeat and remember and may help when learning
another language. In this way, the connection (or obsession) with a song, will
be the first approach to a foreign language.
Until next year the
song “Despacito” (slowly) from Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee had one of the most
viewed in Youtube (5.146’716.008 views) not only by Spanish speakers, but from
people from different cultures and languages who, not knowing Spanish, searched
for the lyrics and the translation, interesting in the meaning of the
song. Due to this, we could think “Music
has the Power” because allows us to be in contact with another culture (and
Languages) and help us to enhance pronunciation, and obtain linguistic skills,
and improve listening. Today’s
publication is entitled to learning Spanish through songs.
WHY MUSIC?
It’s easy, practical,
and we listen to music almost all day. Human beings can learn any Language
easily if they enjoy its learning, because they take it as a fun thing and not
as a mandatory thing. And music is rhythmical and sometimes are catchy. They
bring a lot of benefits: One: We learn new words and new vocabulary when we search for those words we don’t
know or don’t understand.
Two: We can educate our hearing. For listening many times the song we like,
we will remember some words, learn new ones and look for the meaning of the
ones we ignore.
Three: Getting to know more of the
Spanish speaking culture through different expressions, images, and so on. Four: Get to know local slang and
sayings from every Country. Five: Copy pronunciation and try to
make the accents as equal as possible.
4 TIPS TO KEEP IN
MIND.
You may like hip-hop
or rap, but knowing your level it’s better to start from zero. Maybe a ballad
or a not so difficult-to-understand song. Maybe you don’t like this gender, but
it is important that you understand the language before understanding a fast
and complicated song. I invite you to follow these steps:
💓Choose music that make your body move. These are the ones we most like
and we can listen them without a break and not getting bored.
💓Choose songs you can sing or understand some words. As higher your level
of Spanish is, you will go a longer way.
💓You will get to sing the whole song and understand it. But in the
meanwhile, always have the lyrics so you can sing along and look for words you
don’t know.
💓You can find songs in English that have been translated into Spanish,
it’s easier to star with a known melody and you will have the time to look for
words and expressions. (Some of Roxette’s, Bon jovi, Bryan Adams, Scorpions, Robie Williams, songs have been translated to
Spanish).
💓When you look for songs in
“youtube” or “vimeo”, write the name of the song/artist and add lyrics. For
example: David Bisbal (Spain) Lyrics. So, it will show all his songs with
lyrics. You can do this with other artists.
RECOMENDATIONS
BASIC LEVELS : The
students in this group will listen to the song you chose and identify those
words you don’t know from the ones you know. Then you must look for their
meaning and learn them. This way you will educate your hearing to pronunciation
and stress of each word.
INTERMEDIATE LEVELS : You can explore more
these elements: 1) What’s the song about? Is there a
message? (a story or an argument). 2) Getting to know and study some colloquialisms used in many songs. 3) Remember and study vocabulary and
new terms. 4) Study grammatical forms, verb
tenses, and so on in chosen songs. 5) Enhance your listening.
ADVANCED LEVELS: Students in this group can reinforce listening, slang, and cultural
contexts.
I hope you like this
blog and you find it useful !
Last Weekend we celebrated Mother’s Day. This
celebration is very common in all around the world in different dates. We honor
our mothers, because they gave us life. For this matter I decided to write this post. You may think of a great diversity of origins,
some cultural events we Latin Americans prepare for this day. Mom’s iconic
things, the different ways to call her, her endless complaining, mom’s usual sayings,
and some details from childhood. And I’ll finish this article with some
proverbs either used by them, or alluding them.
HISTORY AND CELEBRATION MOTHER´S DAY
Some of the History of Mother’s Day: The first
celebrations were by the Greek to the Goddess “Rhea”. This is not directly
related to the many traditional celebrations of mothers and motherhood that
have existed throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek
cult to Cybele. But Greeks weren’t the only ones. In Latin America, Aztecs celebrated
to Goddess “Coatlicue”, Mayans to Goddess “Ixchel” and the Incans to Goddess
“Pachamama”. Only Incans descendant who live at the ConoSur celebrate Mother’s
Day on august 1st in commemoration of Mother Goddess Pachamama.
In the Actuality “Mother’s Day” comes from England. Then
the United States establishes it and it expands to Latin America. Although, in
some countries, because of historical or religious events, they celebrate this
day on another date. In Bolivia they celebrate on May 27th because
that is the date when the Battle of Coronilla took place in Cochabamba. The
date commemorates the Battle of La Coronilla, which took place on May 27th,
1812, during the Bolivian War of Independence, in what is now the city of
Cochabamba. In this battle, women fighting for the country's independencewere
slaughtered by the Spanish army. It is not a public holiday, but all schools
hold activities and festivities throughout the day.
The feast for celebrating Mothers, Grandmothers
and Aunts may change in every country. Usual things as take them to dinner,
gifts, Mariachi serenade, music groups like Bolero, Andean or marimba, are
common in most Spanish Speaking countries. Every region has its own traditions.
In Guatemalan schools they make handmade crafts and activities to celebrate
Mothers. They are Catholic, so they offer masses, blessings, prayers, etc. In
Cuba they deliver Moher’s Day postcards. Many grew up seeing how their family
made a list of known Mothers: aunts, cousins, neighbors and Friends, so they
could sum how many postcards to choose the prettier ones and add a loving
message. In Colombia its very common to give Mothers red flowers (roses,
petunias, chrysanthemum, etc.), and go out on a road trip. If she deceased, we
visit her grave and we put white or pastel colored flower arrangements and we
offer a mass in her memory.
NICKNAMES
The love to our Mothers is also expressed in
how we call her: Madrecita (mummy), jefecita/jefa (boss) in Mexico, vieja (old
lady) in Argentina, Cucha (old lady for low status people or joking), ma, mami
(mummy), mamasaurius (joking with elder moms), La ley "the law" (when mom is a little too
bossy). We also have sweet names for our grandmas: Mama grande (Big mama),
abebita (like in baby language), lita, or mama and her name (mamá Juana), baba,
nona, abue, momo, nonita, tita, abuelinda (grandma-pretty), mita, buela,
buelita, ita, mima or like in Cuba, mamuma.
In
Latin America, the term “Mother”, either mine or someone else´s, usually has
more value than “Father” because she always there for us, educate us, and teach
us.The violence and wars in our countries made women widows or orphans and they became homes's heads, and they provide food and teach their children. They fight to mantain their families. There's a saying for this: Thank God for Mothers!. It's pejorative for men.
ICONIC THINGS
With time, there are three things that identify a Mother: “la Chancla” or “ Chancleta” ( The sandal), El cinturon, la correa o el cinto (The belt) and " La cantaleta" ( Mom’s nagging). These bring us memories about
education, and Latin American Mother’s temper. There are a lot of posts where
we joke about them.
1. The chancleta or chancla: It’s a
sandal made of rubber that holds the foot with a piece of cloth or a lace that
grabs the big toe. “Chancleta” is more like a diminutive of “chancla”, and the
cloth or lace work as a sash to hold the foot.
The may differ in the shape, both are used for the same thing: hit kids,
adolescents and adults who don’t obey their parents or make something silly.
The hitting is mostly on the legs and buttocks either with or without clothes.
Some times in other body parts, if Mother has a good aim. There are three types
of maternal hitting:
Flying chancleta (sandal): This is when mom is far from her child, and
she has a good aim, she will hit the child hardly and right on target.
3000 chancleta (sandal): A sandal trained to Dodge any obstacle between Mother and the child’s
back or buttocks. Hits the target most of the time.
Common chancletazo (sandal hitting):
This is when our beloved Mother takes her sandal off and hit us wherever she
can and she isn’t going to reason in any way.
2.The Cinturon, correa or cinto (the belt): A band made of cloth, leather, rope or any flexible material you wear
to hold your pants or a skirt. In one end it has a buckle (it’s usually
metallic) and in the other it has holes to close the belt. Many of us were
educated with a belt hit for saying bad words, swearing or cursing, being
impolite to our parents or relatives, mocking people, being goofy, and so on,
so we could become good-mannered and polite people.
3. The"Cantaleta": Mom’s nagging (kind of a verbal diarrhea)
where she expresses her anger to her children/husband/any human being. She may
say something like:
OTHER EXAMPLES
While I’m in this house, you will do as I say. (Everyone in the house shall do what they are told to do, and they must obey
Mother’s rules, if you disagree, you may leave).
·You
are not the boss here, when you get a job and have your own house we’ll see.
(When we live with our parents we shall obey their rules).
·Don’t
look at me like that and you lower your voice!!
(It’s used in a discussion when
they are shouting and moving their hands quickly or opening widely the
eyes).
·What do you think this
is, a hotel?
(Mom says that when everyone goes to eat and sleep but there’s no family
time).
·If
you keep crying I’ll hit you so you have a motive.
(When mother finds out her
children have done something bad and they know it was wrong and they start to
cry before Mother says anything, so she throws this menace to stop the crying).
·If
you keep talking back to me I’ll put your mouth front to back.
(We shouldn’t
talk back, and if we do, she’ll slap us so hard on the cheek).
PROVERBS AND SAYINGS
IN THE LATIN AMERICAN WAY OF THINKING.
Finishing this edition, I’ll leave some
proverbs mostly used by our mothers, and some that come from them.
1. MOTHER’S
PROVERBS:
¡Al que madruga Dios le ayuda! is similar to "The
early bird catches the worm":We should seize the day and grab the
opportunities on time. Also, we must be cautious so we can make our goals.
Always remember life is moving fast, so we shall move with it.
¡Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente! is similar to “You
snooze, you lose”: Don’t
be lazy, it brings consequences. Life will not stop, so seize it.
¡ Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo! is similar to “There’s
no substitute for experience”: We get a lot of experience and knowledge
through the years.
2. PROVERBS
AND SAYINGS ABOUT THE MOTHER:
- "Casa sin madre, río sin cause" is House with no Mother, Boat in river with no
paddle: Mothers are the base of the family.
- "La madre y el delantal tapan mucho mal" is Mother and Apron cover lots of bad: it’s of
great concern inview of
the fact that a mother's level
of education has a great
influence on her children's education and the
well-being of the household.
-" Madre holgazana cría hija cortesana" is Lazy Mother breeds prostitute daughter: It
regards the bad ways of a Mother and how it shows on the daughters. SOME MEMES ABOUT " LA CHANCLA":
El pasado fin de semana en algunos
de los países de América Latina y el mundo, se llevó a cabo la celebración del día de la madre. SeExaltó a esta maravillosa mujer que nos dio la vida. Es pues, éste el
motivo que me impulsó a escribir la presente publicación.
Los objetivos son variados, desde
un superficial origen, como algunas prácticas culturales que realizamos los
latinoamericanos en torno a esta
festividad, los objetos iconos de “la Mamá”,
sus mil nombres, cantaleta y frases más utilizadas por ellas, nostalgia de
nuestra infancia y sí, terminaré este
artículo con algunos refranes bien sea usados o relacionados con ellas.
De forma superficial, diré que
el nacimiento de este día viene de la celebración griega en honor a la
Diosa “Rhea”. Pero los griegos no fueron los únicos en celebrar a la madre. En
su momento, las grandes civilizaciones de América Latina también lo hicieron:
Los Aztecas a la Diosa “Coatlicue”, los
Mayas a la Diosa “Ixchel” y los Incas a la “Pachamama”. De estos tres, sólo los
descendientes de los pueblos
incaicos establecidos en el Cono sur, cada primero de
agosto, conmemoran la celebración a la Diosa madre.
Como sabemos “El día de la madre”
en la actualidad proviene en un primer momento, de Inglaterra, se afianza en
Estados Unidos y se expande a América Latina y el mundo. Lo interesante de la
situación, se debe a que pese a la influencia Norteamericana, no en todos los
países de habla hispana la celebración parte de la práctica estadounidense. Por
ejemplo: En Bolivia, se celebra el 27 de mayo, día en el que se
conmemora la batalla de Cochabamba. En esta fecha, se honra tanto a madres como a abuelas y también se recuerda el valor de las mujeres de Cochabamba
en la Batalla de la Coronilla. En países muy religiosos como México y Costa
Rica, la conmemoración tiene relación
con prácticas católicas. En el caso de
los primeros, la celebración se da, al ser el mes de mayo, el mes de la Virgen
María, para los segundos, siguen el
calendario Litúrgico romano por ello, celebran
a sus progenitoras en el mes de
agosto.
El ágape para mamás, abuelas y tías cambia un poco de país a país. Aunque actividades
como invitarlas a cenar, dar regalos y serenatas con Mariachi, tríos de bolero, música andina o de marimba,
suelen ser comunes en la mayoría de
naciones de habla hispana. Pero también, cada región tiene su celebración
particular, por ejemplo: En los colegios guatemaltecos acostumbran a preparar
actividades culturales y manualidades en torno a la madre. También al ser un
país católico, las iglesias para este día realizan servicios religiosos (misas, oraciones de gracia, bendiciones etc.).
En Cuba se tiene una amplia tradición en
la entrega de tarjetas postales por el "Día de las Madres". Muchos
cubanos crecieron viendo cómo en sus casas se hacían incluso una pequeña lista
con las madres conocidas: tías, primas, vecinas o amigas, con el fin de
calcular el número de postales que debían comprarse, para luego escoger los diseños
más bonitos y escribir un mensaje cariñoso. En Colombia se acostumbra que las familias se
reúnan en torno a su progenitora para darle un
arreglo floral de color rojo y
salir de paseo. Si ha fallecido, se visita su tumba, se le lleva un ramo
de rosas blancas o de colores claros y se brinda una misa en su honor.
Las expresiones de cariño hacia
ellas no sólo se presentan de forma consumista, también en la manera en cómo nos referimos a
nuestra madre: Madrecita, jefecita/ jefa (México), vieja (Argentina), cucha (algunas regiones de
Colombia), ma, mami, mamita , mamasaurio ( se usa de forma jocosa para las
mamás ancianas), la ley ( Cuando la madre es un poco dictatorial). Pero también
existe algunos motes o nombres de cariño para nuestras abuelas como lo son: abuelita, mamá grande, abebita, lita, mamá +
nombre ( mamá Juana), baba, nona, abue, momo, nonita, tita, abuelinda, buela, nonina, buelita, ita, mima
o mamuma (Cuba).
Se puede decir que para el
pensamiento Latinoamericano la figura de
“La Madre” propia o ajena, tiene más valor que la del
padre, porque es ella quien nos acompaña, educa, apoya, cuida y brinda
conocimiento. En torno a esto y a lo largo de los años, han surgido dos objetos
que de forma jocosa identifican a una madre: “La chancla y el cinto” dos
artefactos que de una u otra manera traen a nuestra memoria la educación, y el
temperamento de la madre latinoamericana. De hecho hay bastantes memes circulando en la
red que hacen apología a esto:
1. La chancleta o chancla:
Tipo de sandalia hecha de una suela que se sostiene al pie por medio de
una tira o cordón que separa el dedo gordo de los dedos restantes. «Chancleta»
es un diminutivo de «chancla», su diferencia radica en tener una
tira o cordón como medio de contención al pie en vez de una banda que
cubre todo el empeine del pie. Aunque se diferencian un poco en su forma, ambas
sirven para lo mismo, dar chancletazos a los niños, adolescentes y adultos que
no obedecen a sus padres o cometen alguna falta. Estas muestras de corrección
casi siempre son recibidas en las nalgas con o sin ropa y las piernas, algunas
veces en otras partes del cuerpo, todo dependiendo de qué tan buena pueda ser
la puntería de nuestra madre. La práctica hace al maestro, por ello se han
sacado cuatro tipologías del chancletazo
materno:
-La chancleta
voladora: Cuando la distancia entre madre e hijo es bastante amplia,
pero la madre de buena puntería arroja la chancla que sigue una trayectoria
lineal para terminar su trayecto justo golpeando de manera brutal y exacta el
objetivo.
-La
chancleta 3000: Chancleta especializada en esquivar los obstáculos que pueda haber en la trayectoria, finalizando en el blanco del objetivo. Casi
siempre la espalda o las nalgas.
-El
chancletazo común: cuando nuestra adorada madre se quita la chancla y
nos da por donde nos caiga sin escuchar excusa o razón alguna.
2. El cinturón, correa o cinto:
prenda en forma de banda flexible fabricada de cuero u otro material resistente
que se coloca alrededor de la cintura o cadera para sostener un pantalón o una falda. En un extremo del
cinturón se encuentra la hebilla generalmente metálica por la que se introduce
el otro extremo de la correa. La
corrección con el cinturonazo, educó a más de uno de nosotros para no decir groserías o malas palabras, respetar
a los padres, no hacer cosas indebidas, no burlarse de la gente y demás hechos ejemplares que nos
convierten en personas de buen vivir.
Pero fuera de éstos objetos de
castigo tan populares en nuestra infancia,
también encontramos la cantaleta
materna (verborrea de tono monótono
que lanza improperios enojosos contra
hijos, marido o ser humano que se le atraviese). Dentro de tales frases
encontramos las siguientes, que al parecer suelen ser las de todo uso:
·¡Levántese! Mire que hora es.
·No me conteste ¡Carajo! Ni me refunfuñe.
·Ese amigo suyo no me gusta, es como raro el
muchacho, me da mala espina.
·¡Cómo ahí tiene la sirvienta!
·¡ Salió igualito a su papá!
· ¡Mientras yo esté en esta casa, se hace lo que yo
diga!.
·Usted no se manda solo, cuando trabaje y se
mantenga, hablamos.
·¡A mí no me abra los ojos y me le baja a ese tonito!
·¡Coma y no pregunte qué es! ¡yo no le voy a dar caca!
·¡Que rico es el hotel mamá! O ustedes qué creen
¿que esto es un hotel?
·¡Si no se lo come, se lo embuto!
·Si no en tiende ¿Por qué? es porque yo soy su
mamá y ¡Punto!
·Le voy a dar razones para llorar de verdad - Si sigue llorando le pego para que tenga
porque llorar.
·Si me sigue discutiendo le volteo el mascadero.
Ya para terminar esta publicación
dejaré algunos de los refranes más utilizados por nuestras mamás y otros que
proceden de ellas.
REFRANES DE LAS MAMÁS PARA SUS HIJOS
A quien madruga, Dios lo
ayuda: Recomienda ser diligente para para tener éxito en las pretensiones, en
el trabajo. Hay que ser previsor y actuar siempre con anticipación ya que esto
favorecerá la ejecución de nuestros propósitos. No hay que esperar hasta el
último momento para hacer las cosas que tenemos pendientes, ni ser perezosos. Siempre tenemos que tomar la iniciativa y aventurarnos a hacer las cosas
pronto.
Camarón que se duerme se lo
lleva la corriente: se refiere originalmente a las consecuencias negativas de
la pereza. ... Si te quedas dormido como el camarón, o sea, tienes pereza de
moverte o no haces algo, serás arrastrado por la corriente de la vida.
Más sabe el diablo por viejo
que por diablo: Se refiere a que el paso de los años, aporta un gran número de
conocimientos y experiencias.
PROVERBIOS Y REFRANES RELACIONADOS CON LA MADRE:
* Casa sin madre, río sin cause: las
madres son un pilar básico de la familia.
* La madre y el delantal tapan
mucho mal: las madres esconden los errores de los hijos.
* Madre holgazana, cría hija
cortesana: expresa las perniciosas consecuencias que a la crianza de las hijas
trae el mal ejemplo de la madre.
Adriana M. Martinez Castro . Profesional en estudios literarios. Profesora de español como lengua extranjera nivel intermedio y avanzado. Fundadora de “ESPAÑOL VIVO”. Apasionada por la enseñanza del español. Amante de la literatura en general. Curiosa por antonomasia. Adicta al café y al chocolate blanco.
Today I bring examples of different questions my
students ask. I hope this is useful to those who are studying Spanish as a
Foreign Language.
Indicative and Subjunctive in present tense ( B2/C1)
1) Why I can’t use
Subjunctive present and after use Indicative Present in this sentence?
Original sentence:
" La migración de venezolanos está agobiando a la nación. El gobierno de Colombia "puede" utilizar esta situación como una oportunidad si arregle (Subjunctive present) la ley para que los venezolanos también pagan( Indicative Present) impuestos en el país."
Answer: Here, the verb “can” (puede) shows mode and time in the
sentence. It is in Indicative Present which means it is in real time. We also
have “If” (si) as a condition of the verb “fix” (arreglar) because it belongs to a
present time, real and subordinating for being conditional.
First correction would be:
“La migración de los venezolanos está agobiando a la nación. El Gobierno
de Colombia puede utilizar esta situación como una oportunidad si arreglala
ley... about " los venezolanos también paganimpuestos en el país". In this case, In the “the Venezuelan also pay taxes”, we can not use
the Indicative present because this is a hypothesis, not a real situation. If
this becomes real, we can use the Subjunctive Present “pay” (paguen). Correct sentence:
" La migración de venezolanos está agobiando a la nación. El gobierno de Colombia "puede" utilizar esta situación como una oportunidad si arregla (indicative present) la ley, para que los venezolanos también pagen( sunjunctive Present) impuestos en el país.
Intransitive Verb " Ocurrir" ( to happen) with the "se" (C1)
2) Why yn the news article use " se" if the verb " Ocurrir" (Happens) is an intransitive Verb and you are supposed not to?
Original sentence: "En mayo de 2016 me preguntó por qué me quería repatriar, respondí, sin que en ese momento se me ocurriera que podría estar siendo grandilocuente.
Answer:
First, the verb Ocurrir (occur) is used in two situations:
- Happening (a fact) like ¿ Qué ocurrio en casa? (what happened at home?, Something occurred, took place.
The importance of the accents in the words in spanish (A1-A2)
3) which is the difference between bebe and bebé?
Answer:
Bebe: Comes from verb " beber" (drink). Él bebe ( He drinks), ella bebe (She drinks), usted bebe ( you drink). This is third person singular and the present is indicative tense.
Bebé: Means baby.
Example: Él bebe una cerveza ( He drinks beer)
El bebé tiene sueño ( The baby is sleepy)
if you don´t write the accent in the correct word, then can happen this:
El bebé cerveza: ( The baby beer)
El bebe tiene sueño ( The drink is sleepy)
Note: The accents are very important, if we don´t put this ( ´) the sentences becomes incomprehensible.
Prepositions: A and Para "Directions"(A/B)
4) Is there any difference between " VoyaMéxico en mis vacaciones de junio" ( I´m going to Mexico on my june vacation)? or " Voypara México en mis vacaciones de junio"
(I´m Leaving to Mexico on my june vacation)?
Answer: It depend in the will. When we use the preposition " Para" we are saying we have the will and the purpose to do something. When we use "A" this means a road, a way direction.
Example:
" Voy a México en mis vacaciones de junio" ( I´m going to Mexico on my june vacation) Doesn´t show clearly a purpuse, a will.
" Voy para México en mis vacaciones de junio" ( I´m leaving to Mexico on my june vacation). This has more conviction, has resolution.
This is the second
part of the article I wrote on April 14th on some cultural differences between
Latin America and some Asian Countries. Today I present to you 15 other differences.
I hope you
like it!
1. WRITING WITH RED INK:
In Latin America it
is very common to see handwritten cards or papers written in red with some
hearts on our beloved’s name and ours because red means passion, love, or just
being practical when there aren’t other pens in the bin. But for countries like
China, Taiwan, Korea, and Philippines, it’s forbidden. Writing “with red ink”
can be taken as “bad luck”, “an omen” or something negative. Red ink is
associated with death because: 1st The names in the graves are
written in red, and 2nd because the names of the deceased are
written in red in every document.
2. PERMANENT VISUAL CONTACT BETWEEN TWO
SPEAKERS: This is a sign of respect and courtesy In Latin America with the
person you are talking to, for the exchange of information and with the one who
is giving it. When we speak with someone and we don’t get visual contact, we
may think this person isn’t trustworthy and/or is hiding something. In some
Asian countries the visual contact can be impolite. They prefer to look another
way so they don’t intimidate the other person.
3. FLATTERING COMMENTS (Compliments):
It is very
common for Latin Americans to give some compliments to a nice person, someone
handsome or pretty, maybe he or she whistles. These compliments can be very
innovative or rude. It also depends on the social status. In recent years with
the empowerment of women in society, it may happen (for a woman to compliment a
handsome guy), but this doesn’t happen in Asian Countries. Asians are shy
compared to us. This is why they get surprised with these things.
4. SOCIAL INTERACTION: (Dancing and Liquor): Latin
Americans are very social, affectionate, extrovert, talkative, and we express
our opinions and feelings openly. Dancing is a way of socializing and takes us
to choose our mate, at least in our early years. Dancing is determined by
different cultures and traditions. It is a moment to chat, share with the
family, friends, acquaintances (in parties like christenings, birthday parties,
weddings, degrees, etc.). In other words, we are born and die dancing. It’s
simply, a way to keep in touch with the universe, society and family with the
music, dancing and dialogue. Some Oriental cultures are the opposite way. They
are more private. This is a consequence of Confucianism and its world view,
based on concepts such as authority, duty, hierarchy, and in certain way,
inequality (no one is equal to any other, everyone has its own position in
social hierarchy). For this
reason, they maintain distances, that can be seen in gestures, they way they
reach an elder, a superior, an equal or a subordinate, etc. These social
parameters establish a distant relationship and it usually attenuates with
liquor. Alcohol for Orientals is a way to get to know a person, it’s a channel
for confidence, for getting opportunities to know someone, to fraternize.For this matter, business dinners, and
encounters are accomplished with drinks.
5. MALE
PHISICAL CONTACT: Both, Latin America and some Oriental Countries are
strongly sexist, although it is very common to see men touching, having
physical contact (between close friends, young men) hugging, taking hands, etc.
It´s a way to show affection. On the contrary, in Latin America this behavior
is seen mostly between women, people of different sex, and homosexuals.
6. AFFECTIONATE WORDS: When you arrive to
any Latin American country, you will see that the people attending a store, a
supermarket, street commerce, taxi drivers, etc. will address you with
affectionate words like “my heart” ( Mi corazón), “my love” ( Mi amor),
“princess/prince” ( Pricesa/ principe) , “darling” ( querida/ querido),
etc. This doesn’t mean they want to
flirt with you or your couple. It doesn’t mean flirting, it’s a way to talk to
the costumer, a way to show kindness. This is the same way for locals. This
kind of treatment is between women, or men and women. It isn’t acceptable
between men. In Asia, this isn’t possible. They offer their products very
kindly. They salute you and say good-bye either in their own language or in
English, and they thank you for your shopping.
7.NON-VERBAL
OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE: In some Oriental countries is offensive to pat someone
in the head or in the shoulder when you are talking to someone. Something
equally offensive for Latin Americans could be slapping your hands in the air
(vertically, many times).
8. BLOOD TYPE: Looking for a couple and
their characteristics (more and less desired). For some Western women and men
study the western zodiac (Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Libra, Virgo, Scorpio and Sagittarius). Meanwhile, Orientals look
for the blood type (A, B, O, and AB). This is very common in Japan and
surroundings. For westerns, blood type is important only if you need a blood
transfusion, otherwise, it will sound crazy or sick if you ask around. On the
contrary, for Asians this is very common. Every blood type has its own
characteristics, for example:
A Type: They tend to
be perfectionist, shy and good team workers.
B Type: Happy, Impulsive, Passionate, Eccentric, Optimistic,
Self-Centered.
O Type: Creative,
active and they like to be the center of attention
AB Type: Mysterious and
unpredictable.
9. MALE MAKE-UP: Western people associate
make-up to women. Although, fashion is changing and people are more open minded,
more products of skin care and make-up are being used by men actors, for
“Metrosexual” moments, and even though they get mocked by other men. Otherwise,
in Asia male make-up is very popular and it isn’t associated with femininity,
in fact, they have their own products and brands different from the women’s
products. Why do they do this? Because in oriental Asia, the physical appearance
is of great importance in daily life, at work, and outside.
10. SKIN COLORS: Some Asian countries like India (for a Bollywood effect in Indian movies), China and others, love the very white skin. For this, they use different type of creams, spray soaps, and sun blockers so they don’t tan. On the contrary, in Latin America we love tanned skins, caramel color or very tanned. For this, both, men and women, use tanning lotions so they become more attractive.
11. ABOUT SENSUALITY: In western Countries a woman’s sensuality is in her curves (Breast, hips, and back) but of these three, the breast is the more important. This Is why its usual to see ladies in with a neckline in the breast zone. In the other hand, “sexiness” changes according to the Country and its traditions. In Japan, China, Philippines, Taiwan, for example, sensuality is in the legs, for this reason, girls wear miniskirts or very short pants. And in India they wear Bedleh, Beledi Dresses to show their belly. Some wear Saris.
12. INFIDELITY:
In the whole wide world people are cheaters. In many Asian Countries there are
more men than women, like in China where they have an only child law. This made
uneven the scale of the genders. And this happens in the surrounding countries
too. For this, we may suppose men are more loyal because the competition level
is high and marriage and children are very important for society. For Latin
America this is quite different, because there are more women than men
(according to the Economics Commission for Latin America and Caribbean
countries – CEPAL). In 2016 they said population limits surpassed in 625
million people, where 302 million were men, and 323 million were women. This is
a reason for sexism and some terms appear like: La moza/ La otra (bitch), la gallinita
(ho, or hoe), a tramp, witch ( La bruja) , broad. These ladies are a replacement of your
spouse or couple for a night, just for fun some times. or depend...
13. COMMUNITY
SHOWERS: In some regions of Asia, families and friends take baths together and of course with towel or naked. They separate men from women. On the contrary, for us westerns, the bath is personal or for couples.
14. LIFE SAVING FOR ADULTS: In Asia is very
common to see people who can´t swim or don’t swim well using inflatable tubes.
In Latin America, floating devices are a children thing. If you can’t swim and
you are a grown-up, you’ll stay at the shore, or simply you don’t go into the
sea. The best time to learn to swim, is when we are toddlers.
15. STUDYING: In Asia, children spend a lot
of time studying in class hours, including weekends and school vacations. These
children invest a lot of time learning languages (3 or four if it’s possible),
they have reinforcements in school subjects. The reason? Their countries are
very competitive. For a job, when there are 10 openings, 20.000 people apply,
and only the most adequate are the ones to be chosen. Be a good student, have
high grades and speak many languages helps Asians to get a good national
grading, to enter a great college, to get a good job, meet a great person to
marry and have a good lifestyle, and to belong to high society. For these
countries, too much fun and free time is considered as “waste of time”. In our
case, competitivity is poor, because we are independent. For this matter, our
children can play freely and live their first years peacefully with more time
for other matters.
