Hi there, my gf and I were talking about the subject of community and we both come from Latin American backgrounds. She is second generation Chapina (Guatemala) and I’m second generation Hondureña (Honduras). We grew up in the US while our parents came from their native countries. Our discussion was how Americanism is very self absorbed and individualistic.
We grew up on always being there/helping your family, helping our own people, helping those who are less fortunate and a lot of tradition.
So i started to question, is it still like that in Latin America (specifically central and South America)? Has the culture changed within our parents lifetime?
So my questions to you guys is this
– does your country/nationality still embrace helping your neighbor? Being there for one another?
– Celebrating and Gatherings of strangers and friends? Like having an Asada and inviting your neighbors?
– Getting to know people around you?
– Having to know all the gossip and information about the people around you?
– do you see yourselves as together? Pride in your nationality/country? See others who live there as one of your own?
In America is very unlikely for people to care about others without it benefiting them first or if it’s only in their self interest. They would pass someone hurt or injured on the streets waiting for the NEXT person to help. Don’t get me wrong, there are good samaritans out there but most of the citizens care only for their own family or themselves. Is why they vote the way they vote. Also your worth is equal to your work/money/influence. And even if you’ve been living here for years you’re still seen as “whatever country” your parents were from, never American. Now I’m just painting with a broad stroke here so don’t come for me Americans. Anyways thank you for your time!
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Hola, mi novia y yo estamos hablando un discusión de comunidad y la diferencias en los americas norte y sur. Ella es Chapina (Guatemala) generación segundo y yo soy Hondureña generación segundo. Nosotros crecimos con ideas de familia, siempre la familia primera, ayudando nuestra gente, y tradiciones. En América miramos que es bien difícil para comunidad, solo se importa la individualización y la ganancia.
Por eso, quería a garrar más información y preguntarle a la gente de Sur y centro América. Se cambió en las generaciones o todo vía ay comunidad en la gente?
Questions para ustedes!
– el país de ustedes todo vía hace el ludo para ayudar tu vecinos? Ayudando los demás?
– Celebrando con amigos y también los que no son amigos, invitando a todos a celebrar? Como acer un Asada y invitando el vecino?
– Aprendiendo y haciendo amigos con la gente en tu área?
– Sabiendo todo la chisme, sabiendo las familias de tu calle?
– Se miran como un país junto? Miran ha los que vienen a Vivir como si so de las país?
En América, la gente siempre esperar que otra persona ayuda a los que necesitan ayuda. También solo le importa ellos solo, o familia cerca. Si ay una gente bien, no son todos poro mucho de la demografía no le importen si el vecino tiene de comer o cómo le va. Por eso votan así. Tu persona no es importante más que la plata que haces y quién eres. Nunca eres de América, siempre te miran de dónde vienen tu familia. Esto es un definición grande no estoy diciendo que todos son poro pa la discusión hago un sumario de la gente americana. Por favor Americanos, no te enojes! Muchas gracias por su tiempo <3
Comments
Some people in the US need to realize that a lot of their parents “cultures” / habits / etc is not necessarily something quintessentially Latin American of some sorts. We are not born with “la chancla” or “el barrio” chip or something like that
Sometimes you help your neighbors / have strong family ties / gossip about your neighbors because y’all are poor and help each other out because they are your support network (rede de apoio?), not necessarily because of your cultural heritage per se
I see this happening quite often (not saying this is your case OP) in the US
mostly in a performative way. We like to beat the chest about the “solidarity” and the teleton, but only of it doesn’t take too much effort.
It’s a class thing. Some people will hold asados with the grill on the curb and invite the neighbourhood and family
there’s a gap between the urban and rural here. “Pueblo Chico, infierno grande”
Generacional thing. Every family will have a toxic aunt who wants to know everything and an uncle who will police the nephew’s heterosexuality.
tricky. “Patriotism” is a politically loaded term in Chile and can make you friends or enemies
Yes, to give an example when people die, is common courtesy to bring something to the wake if you can. Food, coffee, money or even your own effort so the family can mourn and is not running serving food and beverages to people. When my brother passed people gave us so much money the coffin almost paid itself, my brother’s university drove all of his classmates to the city he was gonna be buried at, our high school brought the entire marching band for the funeral.
More common in small towns, like at my grandparents we make a community party on Christmas and new years. Families have dinner together but then we go celebrate in the street. Just this Christmas my mom called me and the party was so damn kit everyone had cute headbands and on new years they had hats 😂 loved to see it, I miss it so much.
Yeah, we know most of our neighbors, the other day my mom’s next door neighbor called his other next door neighbor to ask for my mom’s phone number to let her know a thief was in the ceiling of the house. 🤷🏻♀️
Also true, but in here it hast been different, I know my next door neighbor is cheating on her partner because the walls are thin and I can hear them fighting, I know the guys upstairs work in construction just by hearing their footsteps and routine, I know their next door neighbor has beef with someone in the third floor. Not everyone is Latino where I rent.
Mmmmm no I think that’s mostly for family, we don’t have some sense of pride because we live there, everyone is part of the same society but advertising can focus on nationalism a lot. But also when it’s time to protest we defend our constitutional rights as people would do everywhere.
I think community died with the rise of car culture and social media addiction. The last people who practice it come from the previous century and a rural background.
I don’t know who my neighbors are. I mean, I say hi to people at the entrance, but that’s it I don’t even know their names.
Americans tend to have this weird, idealized image of Latin America where we all have 20 cousins and live in a permanent state of community, throwing block parties and cooking for everyone. It’s wild how they come up with this stuff, and then they come here and ask if we all have huge families and live in tight knit cooperative neighborhoods.
Not only can you not generalize an entire continent with wildly different cultures, but it’s never going to match what’s in your head because that image is imaginary, based on Hollywood stereotypes and nostalgia from people who left their countries decades ago
The post in English was enough lol no offense but your Spanish still needs work and it’s much easier to understand the English text that you wrote first
I don’t understand all the downvotes? I was just asking some questions? Sorry I want to get to know more about how it is actually in your country and what our parents think it’s like.
I’m not being idealistic nor trying to be rude Just wanted a general discussion on this topic but I guess it’s rubbed people the wrong way.
If you want to know I’m just curious and want to learn. I like open discussions.
Edit: also I know this is reddit but I have nowhere else to ask. I’m not on facebook nor do I know of any place a lot do central and South Americans gather to discuss 🤷🏻♀️
In Costa Rica, I think in general people help each other and try to know their neighbors. Maybe in the city it’s somewhat lost, but that’s the most likely the bigger and faster the place becomes. But outside the city, the people remain very welcoming and helpful.
One time, our car broke in the middle of nowhere. The other car that was with us went to get the part we needed, and the family that lived nearby invited us to their house, served us coffee and snacks. They had an apple plantation and gave us a tour and let us take apples from the trees. They took care of us for about 5 hours until the car was driveable again.
When we lived in a city outside the metropolitan area, in Ciudad Quesada, although it was just for a couple of years, we met many of our neighbors, and they were always aware of anything we needed.
Now we live in the metro area, and although we don’t know many of our neighbors, we know a few, and the community helps each other.