So I've been living in the States for the last 8 years and yes, eventhough I got used to here and think I'll never be back to Peru there are somethings that still throw me off about the American culture.
First thing will be the way Americans greet when they meet a new person; a strong hand shake will do it, whereas Peruvians will give a kiss on the cheek to the person they are being introduced to. And this way of greeting is not only common of Peru but of most of the South-American region. But I guess, after 8 years I go with the hand shake and the kiss has been left on the past. The funny thing comes when a Hispanic is being introduced to another Hispanic-it has happened to me a couple of times that you don't know what to do: I stand there for a fraction of second thinking "should I extend my hand and expect him/her to do the same? or should I lean a little bit forward waiting for the other person to do the same and give each other a kiss on the cheek?" lol..It's perhaps a two seconds of awkardness, but I guess we have figured an improved way of saluting the other person: we give a hand shake and then try to read the body language of the other person to see if he/she is prone to continue with the kiss on the cheek...so far, it's worked for me :)
Another thing I still have some problems getting used to is punctuality. In Peru, we have this thing about being on time-basically, Peruvians are never on time! lol. Nor for a wedding reception or birthday celebration,neither for a public event. A-nd when indeed, an "x"event does start on time, we get pissed off! lol So whenever we wanted people to be on time, we would have to put down on the invitations that the event starts half an hour before than it really doestrust me, not one ill show on time. So this is what we called "the Peruvian time". On the other hand, Americans are very punctual and try to go by the schedule. If a cocktail party goes from 6 to 9pm, people will start showing up 6 sharp and will start leaving before the clock hits nine o'clock.
One more thing I noticed when I got to this country is that Americans are very respectful of traffic lights and transit rules. Driving in Peru is nuts. Most people don't respect the signals and they drive fast or slow depending if they are late for work or not. Pedestrian crossing are ignored, red lights are also ignored as well as the signs that read no left turn or no U turn. Don't get me wrong, things have started to get better specially in Lima, capital of Peru mainly because there has been an increase on the penalty amounts for infringing transit rules.But for instance, if it is 2am in the morning and a driver in the States hits a red light , chances are he/she will stop the car and wait for the light to change eventhough there is no one soul walking on the streets, no coops around no cars approaching the intersection. If in Peru, the driver will not think it twice and just ommit the red light and continue til its final destination.
Self-centered/respect for traffic rules
I find it very interesting that a peruvian such as urself conformed to the american-way of just shaking your hand when you meet a new person. I know that in europe they also tend to kiss on the cheek as a form of greetings. I think you should continue to follow your culture because that is what makes you unique and different from amaericans. Also, i think it is great that peruvians do not follow the traffic system when in times of no-traffic. Even though, waiting at a red light is probably safer, i do not think most americans would wait at a red light in the middle of the night if not for the danger of getting caught by the police and getting fined.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how much of what you describe in Peruvian culture is similar to the culture in Uruguay, which is where I'm from. We are also used to giving the kiss on the cheek when meeting a new person or greeting a friend or family member. Also, like in Peru, the driving conditions in Uruguay are horrible. People seem to drive as if nobody else was on the road. The fact that you mention that Peruvians are never on time is funny because it seems as if that concept has become a universal stereotype for hispanics in general. We always have to be fashionably late I guess.
ReplyDeleteI definitely had a few awkward moments of figuring out what do when it comes to greeting people as well.
ReplyDeleteOur culture has some similarities! Filipinos are also known as late-comers to any occasions and there aren't any traffic rules over there especially in the provinces.
My friend is Peruvian and he definitely agrees about the lateness.