May 2, 2010

culture, what culture?

I think it was Mr. Kim in Global Studies, freshman year at Fountain Valley, who said that culture is "the way we make sense of the world." I think there might have been more to the definition, but at this point, I've forgotten it. I've had some time lately to reflect on culture, specifically my culture and how it affects my experience here in El Salvador.

I think that it's quite common for Americans to think that we don't really have one culture, because, well, we don't. So that's why I say my culture. (Even though it sounds incredibly self-centered.) But, that doesn't mean that my culture has nothing in common with your culture. In fact, I think that thats part of the phenomenon of culture in the States-and probably other countries too-we are all mixing together and picking up cultural traits of others. Sure, there are plenty of differences in our cultures, but I also think there are some common threads. The following are some of the threads that I think might be present in most/some/all people in the States (Or maybe it's just me. Or my family...)


1) We are loud, especially in public places. Get some gringos on a bus and we will probably be the only ones laughing away, telling stories and being ridiculous. I don't know whether it's just the fact that we haven't seen each other in a while, so we just want to share stories and no stinkin' bus is gonna stop us, or what. But we talk. A lot. And loudly. I don't know if it's from a desire to be heard and acknowledged or just that we automatically talk at "11". Of course if we need to, we turn it down (and on buses, you really should be as inconspicuous as possible, meaning not shouting out in English how last night you saw the hugest freakin'-insert bug, animal or creature here-that you've ever seen in your life.) But all in all, gringos are loud.


2) Related to the talking thing is the fact that, for me, if I'm hanging out with someone, and we aren't talking, it's awkward. I have a need to fill silence. (I think my fellow Americans can probably relate to this one?) Of course, some moments are fine for silence - during movies, or long car rides or if people are reading or thinking or contemplating life or enjoying the scenery. But, normally, sitting at home, a cafe or restaurant, or walking alongside someone, you chat. Because if you don't, it's awkward. But not here.
Those of you that read Alicea's blog probably read her musings on this as well, but there is no really good word for awkward in Spanish. There's incomodo (uncomfortable) and extraño (strange, weird) but besides, that.... no luck. So I don't know if the lack of a word for awkward means that people here don't feel it, or because they don't feel it, they never needed a word for it, but it's weird. What I would consider excruciating silence doesn't seem to phase people here. Maybe it's related to the slower pace of life, or just the fact that there isn't much to talk about. If you do try and chit chat with someone, it's always about the weather. Always. Because there's nothing else to talk about it.


3) I think there's nothing else to talk about because people here don't really read. I am a voracious reader. I have already read more the 60 books in my time here and I think my neighbors think I'm crazy. I will willingly spend a Saturday afternoon in my hammock just reading. I've finished two books in one day before. Now I know there are plenty of Americans that don't read, but I think that as a people we have a fear or distrust or discomfort with idle time. I think part of it stems from the idiom - idle hands are the devil's tools. This proverb has many variations and versions, but I think we have all heard it in some form. It means that you should always be doing something.

For me, my "go to" activity is reading. For other people, it's another hobby. And whether we use this saying or not, I think as Americans we agree with it. Someone just sitting around is not being productive, they are not achieving anything, they are not bettering themselves. I think that's partly why being here is such a shock sometimes. The pace of life is completely different - some days I will clean the house, wash clothes and and dishes and be done by 9 o'clock AM, and then have nothing to do the rest of the day. I try and keep busy, but some days there literally isn't anything to do. And that's okay. At least here. But my comfort zone is for me to always be doing something.


4) And last but not least, independence. I think this is a huge part of the American culture. By 18, most parents and children are at least subconsciously distancing one from the other, if not physically, then mentally and emotionally. Of course, in some families this physical separation or reduction of dependency comes earlier or later, but as a culture, 18 seems to be about that time. Also, whether you've participated in one or not, our culture is full of independent coming of age experiences - road trips, backpacking trips, slumber parties, going off to college, summer internships etc. You might not have experienced any of these yourself, but it was probably something you had thought about doing.

We value our independence and our ability to go where we want, when we want, with whomever we want. Here that is not the case. People are shocked when they find out I take the bus by myself from my site to San Salvador. Yeah it'd be best if someone went with me - but then we'd probably just sit there awkwardly not talking the whole time! :) but I've never found anyone who needs to go when I go. So I go by myself. I mean, the bus is full of other people, and I feel totally safe, but to my host mom, host grandma, neighbors, teachers and the lady at the post office, I should not be traveling by myself. But I have to. And also, I want to. I like being independent.


So while not everyone will identify with all of these, I think they might fit in to a larger "American" culture or set of norms. And if not, well, then it's just me!