We hung out with some friends yesterday. Yes, we finally have some friends here- shocking, I know. The group consisted of us, a couple in their 50's, their 24-year-old son, and their 2-year-old grandson. This was the first playdate we've had in months so the kids had a blast and were actually quite the little angels. The son in his twenties is actually married to a local Panamanian girl and knows first hand the differences between the way we (Americans) do things and the typical Bocas culture. It is really a whole other world down here and I understand a little better how ridiculous I seem to the people here. I am a list person so here are a few things we've learned about Panamanian culture:
-They have a distinct social strata that is based not on wealth but on race, although the ones at the top are usually richest. The native Indians are at the bottom of the totum pole, followed by the blacks, with the "Panamanian" people at the top.
-The standard of living between these three sets is often not that different, but the way to distinguish yourself as higher class is to dress appropriately. Nicely polished shoes, slacks, never shorts. It is especially important to dress your children well. No matter how hot it is outside, the child of a good Panamanian family always wears shoes and socks- usually a hat too. I have seen mothers tote around newborn babies in midday wearing beanies and tights. You have to prove that you can afford to clothe your children.
-Babysitting is considered a remedial job only fit for Indian girls. We have unknowingly offended some members of our branch by enlisting their daughters to babysit for us. Now we know why they never showed up.
-Gringos are the stupidest of all because they walk around in their bathing suits and think they own the place.
Rivka really wanted to wear her new Indian dress to church yesterday, plus I brought my new Indian-made purse I just bought. I can't speak Spanish but I could still tell they were all laughing at us. Now I know why. Its like a foreigner in the States buying souvenirs from a trailer park and dressing up as white trash for the Sabbath.
2 comments:
You are too funny Carly. I laughed out loud reading it today. What a difference in culture. I'm sure you are learning a lot there that you don't even know you are learning...and won't till years later looking back on this whole experience. That is too funny about the dresses. I thought they were darling. And now you know why the babysitters never showed up! Well with that attitude, it's a good thing they didn't!
Hey, and your new friends in their 50s...that would be like hanging out with Dennis and I!
Haha! That's hilarious!
Post a Comment