Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Things I have recently learned ...

Remember that when it is really cold, one should not use electric heaters as they are dangerous to your health. Heaters are to only be used when it is cool, but not too cold. If it is really cold, just wear more clothes.

I need to buy a knitted hat and gloves to wear in the houses since we can not use the heaters.

Cocido (a form of yerba mate) is only to be drunk at certain times of the day and do NOT, I repeat, do NOT suggest otherwise!

Paraguayans do like to eat chocolate cake in large quantities.

Everything, including hamburgers, taste better with a fried egg on top!

Soft drinks should never be consumed directly from the can or bottle but always with a straw. To do otherwise is ...unsightly. Everyone will tell you about Pres. Bush drinking directly from the bottle on his visit here.

Paraguayans are very good at soccer and volley ball but will never quite get basketball.

Birthdays are extremely important in this culture. I am still unsure as to why this is so, but even grown men will be offended if you forget to at least text them a birthday greeting.

Do not laugh at the girls at the supermarket wearing tight clothing labeled ,'BIMBO'. Bimbo is merely the brand name of the bread products she is distributing. Really...

Learn to speak in a hushed voice which is barely audible, especially on the phone. To speak loud enough to be easily heard is a sure give away that you are Argentinian...or Venezuelan.

Be glad Paraguayans are so kind and only smile understandingly when you do act like an Argentinian , or Venezuelan, in public. (although I am sure they say interesting things later in private!)

Get used to being a little bit out of sync with the culture, eventually, you will do better. It just wont be today. Or tomorrow. Or next week.

Maybe next year?

12 comments:

Findalis said...

Perhaps this will be a good time to learn to knit.

I saw BIMBO bread at the store here. We all had a good laugh at the name.

R Lennon said...

so why can't you use the heater on cold days? That one is new to me!

Betty W said...

What about using the AC´s to heat the house? I know many people who do it here, although not me, because it makes me nauseous....

Rita Loca said...

Ronda, my neighbor said we would get sick if we used it and then went out into the really cold air. Maybe we just keep it too warm?

Joy said...

I'd fit right in in Paraguay. I use a straw to drink everything.
Funny about the BIMBO bread. :)

Joy

Brenda said...

Lol! This made me laugh. I find the cold in Paraguay so much more unbearable than the heat. Its penetrating.

Mittens in the house, layers of blankets, heaters, nothing helps. Sitting in the sunshine does though.

Its all part of the "charm" :)

MightyMom said...

FORGET IT. you will have to visit me cuz I ain't going NOWHERE I can't use a HEATER on cold days!!

sorry babe.

MathewK said...

"Soft drinks should never be consumed directly from the can or bottle but always with a straw."

Really, i don't like straws, unless it's a milk shake or something.

Kimberly said...

This one really made me smile!

Debbie said...

When we went to Mexico in December, my kids got a huge laugh from the Bimbo products. Good times:)

Kathy said...

My friends from Minnesota say, "There's no such thing as bad weather--only wrong clothing!" :) Also, now I know why Ramon tells me I talk too loud! :)

groovyoldlady said...

We have a small women's group who meets weekly to discuss books and issues on how to better reach a particular people group (which shall remain nameless here). It is FASCINATING to try to understand what other cultures "read between the lines" in our actions and behavior!