Hispanic and American Cultural Differences and Contrasts

By: Rich Kimura

We spent a beautiful week at the top of a volcanic jungle mountain. The Latin American town of Panajachel was at the edge of a deep crater lake that fills the caldera known as Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Once we arrived at the rim, we immediately began driving down into the caldera. The road was built into the side a sheer cliff. The houses below, their orange tile roofs contrasting with the dense jungle green, looked like postage stamps a thousand feet below. A small comfort, there was a 2 foot-high cement wall between our old creaky van and eternity.

We wandered the streets late one night, sipping pop from plastic bags and sweet rice drinks. There was a group of young people huddled together selling jewelry so we made our way over to them. When asked where they were from, these wandering vagabonds said they were from “oorugooeyeyoo.” No entiendo, no comprendo, I thought. My friend Hal asked the young man again where he was from but could not understand either. Eventually we figured out that he was saying Uruguay. Misael, Paro and Felipe and one other gal were all good friends just living off the street and wandering through life together. They had traveled all the way up to Guatemala through Central America from Uruguay with little more than the clothes on their backs and a little bit of primitive jewelry. These Latinos sat on rugs on the edge of the streets holding necklaces out and waiting for people to walk by. People would somehow notice them and buy from their limited selection of jewelry. My son bought a ring for $3.

We eventually sat down with them and hung out for a while just to talk. It was all very fascinating to me. They were very friendly, earthy, and uninhibited. Misael said they lived in a rented flat down the street for about $50 a month. They had been traveling for over a year, just going from town to town and walking and hitchhiking through Central America. You see, Misael said, “We take care of each other, and we get by. We don’t need much and have a lots to see and do. We hang out and are free. We just sell what we need and when we get tired of a place we move on.” Paro shook her head in agreement. It was dark so her features were hard to make out in the shadows, but her brown eyes had a twinkle in them.

It a way, we are all like those young people from Uruguay, going through life with each other. Buying, selling, or trading something to get by. The value that the Hispanic culture tends to place on relationships is something this American can learn from. People have made general observations about the value systems of the poor, middle class, and rich. It has been said that the possessions that the poor cherish most are “people.” The middle class tends to cherish “things.” The rich tend to cherish unique masterpieces, legacies, and pedigrees. These friends from Uruguay valued each other.

This simple Hispanic-American cross-cultural experience has helped me learn to value friendship more, even as a card-carrying middle-class person. It has been humbling to be accepted and loved by many Hispanic friends in Central America, and here in Eastern Washington. Their open hearts and the importance they place on the relationships has taught me to reciprocate. Though it hasn't always been the case with strangers, it has been with those that consider me a friend.
Rich Kimura is a project engineering manager, freelance writer, and entrepreneur. He has numerous technical papers, 1 patent and 2 pending, and 24 years experience in the industry. He started numerous home businesses and has Crown Financial training. For more unique perspectives on personal finances, relationships, and spirituality, visit Cirrovista at http://www.cirrovista.com

Hispanic and American Cultural Differences and Contrasts