Almost 5 years of life in Mexico has changed some things that I at first thought strange into completely normal daily occurences: Cooking with propane gas tanks, not flushing toilet paper, paying bills by waiting in line, etc. These are things I no longer even think about, just as I no longer hear the rooster crowing or the roof dog barking.
Some things I still find unusual and still notice, but enjoy, like the vendors who move down the street blowing whistles or honking a horn, trying to sell strawberries or sharpen your kitchen knives for you. These things bring up fairly romantic images for me of the old-timey tinker with his pack mule full of necessary wares. If I want something, I run out to catch him. If I don’t, I let him walk on by.
But there is one common practice here that I absolutely dislike and don’t think I will ever get used to.
Several times a day, a stranger will come to my gate and yell out, “BUENAS!” If I don’t answer right away, which I don’t, they wait a few seconds and yell again, “BUENAAS!” When I STILL ignore them (and by now I’m not moving or breathing and trying to hunch away from the windows they’re crouching down to try to look in from my front gate), they let out with a long, grating, drawn-out, “BUENAAAAAAS!”
I used to go out to greet each person, but now I don’t. Why? Because I learn from experience. I do not want to sell the van that is parked in my yard. I do not know the person who is on the letter you have to deliver (and btw, that address is not even CLOSE to this one). I do not want to discuss Jesus and I do not want to witness Jehovah. I cannot give you a ride to work, nor do I know how much the house next door is renting for.
What I find most distressing about this is the constant interruption to my day/work, as well as the fact that my dogs go crazy barking for the entire ten or more minutes the person will stand there. Today it has been almost a constant stream of strangers hanging on my gate and yelling at me.
Can anyone help me find this in Spanish?
Or better yet, how about this one?
Now let’s not get me started on the people who come to pick up their friends at 6.30 am and blare their horn or stand outside their friend’s window yelling up, “Francisca!! Franciiiiiscaaaa!!!”
Make a sign that says “VETE!” That should cover it:) Or “VETE, regresas/vienes con vino!”
By: Sara on March 10, 2009
at 3:31 pm
Well, I know how to say it…I just wanted to find the premade “welcome” mats.
By: heatherinparadise on March 10, 2009
at 3:37 pm
How about :
PROHIBIDO CHINGAR
?
Fned.
By: Fned on March 10, 2009
at 3:51 pm
FNED!! Jajaja!
By: heatherinparadise on March 10, 2009
at 3:54 pm
Ha! At least you get a “Buenas!”. People just stand outside our gate and wait while the dogs go absolutely bollistic!! I guess they figure they can’t possibly be heard over the cacaphony, so why not just wait til I, inevitably, burst out my door ready to lay a good whoop @ss on the dogs. Geeesh.
By: micheleinplaya on March 10, 2009
at 4:50 pm
Too Funny! It’s just like that here in Merida as well.
The young girls that live across the street apparently can’t be trusted with a house key so must stand at the door and yell MAMIII, MAMIII, MAMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII, until Mami deigns to raise her ass and come to the door!
Just the other day, our fruit vendor Rita, indicated she’s able to see through the crack around our front wall door to see if the car is inside AND to see if we are moving around! Tom IMMEDIATELY upon her departure headed out with the caulk gun!
Gotta love this place!
By: Debi on March 10, 2009
at 6:15 pm
Huh, it is like that here in kenosha too.
ok, well, the freaking out dogs at the slightest movement outside, anyway
Jehova gave up on me.
Francisca moved and the mailman is normal and knows who’s house is who’s
You still have it WAY better than me girl!
By: Amy on March 10, 2009
at 9:05 pm
This is something that worries me, and makes you wonder if you might be getting over a place. I remember very clearly in NYC not wanting to entertain anyone’s bullshit, even for a second; feeling like I had already been exposed to every brand of crazy possible, and that there was nothing new to see.
I feel the same kind of feeling when it comes to the ignored, “Buenas, buenas,” which believe me, we all experience. Am I over it? Am I that dulled to new experience?
By: Malcolm on March 12, 2009
at 1:22 am
Ha, Ha Heather leave it to you to tell it like it is!!! Love it!!! Like Michelle..we too get folks just standing by our front gate. Augie, our dog goes nuts….and it will be someone who wants to give us a flyer for pizza delivery or security system sales. I always happen to be in the shower, coming out of the shower or letting my sun block dry!! Leave it in the gate pour favor!! It’s not like I’m going to order a pizza on the spot or sign a contact for a security system!!!!
By: Maureen on March 15, 2009
at 9:21 pm
That is so funny. It is the same here in Tulum. I am just now getting to the point that do not stand up. Now I jsut have to train the kids.
By: Mindy rosas-standring on March 15, 2009
at 11:06 pm
You can use the very know
POR FAVOR
NO VENGA A JODER AQUI
(joda en su casa, gracias)
How about this?
thanks
By: disenomiami cancun on April 2, 2009
at 11:36 am