things I´ve learned

A few cultural tidbits from Oaxaca for your learning enjoyment:

1. "Ven aqui" means come here, but when they say it they make an outward motion with their hand that looks like "go away." That definitely confused me for a while.

2. When you get done eating you tell everyone "gracias," or thank you... even if they had no part in preparing the meal. Many times they will also say, "gracias a Dios."

3. Yesterday I learned from one of my friends Rosa that pointing your elbow is really rude. I wish I had learned that sooner... hopefully I haven´t pointed my elbow at anyone.

4. Shake hands with EVERYONE when you enter and leave a room, or they think that you are mad at them.

5. When you pass someone on a street, many say "adios" or good-bye, not "hola" or hello.

6. Toliet paper goes in the trash can, not the toliet.

7. Being called fat or "gordo" is not at all mean, and doesn´t even necessarily mean that you are fat. "Gordito" along with "Grandote" are nicknames that show some degree of affection.