Kirsten Miller
Observations of the Venezuelan Culture, as perceived by Kirsten Miller
1. As typical of Latin-American culture as a whole, Venezuelan culture is centered around relationships, rather than time and the accomplishment of tasks. Scheduled times are relative, activities are quickly set aside to spend time with a friend who stops by at your house, and plans seem to be changing continually.
2. Typical greetings: a cheek-to-cheek “air kiss” is used in greetings between girls or a guy and a girl. Guys normally shake hands to greet each other.
3. People are generally very openly affectionate
4. Everybody teases each other…“gorda” and “feo” (fat and ugly) are commonly used terms, in love of course!
5. Many people “point” with their lips
6. Someone wrinkling their nose can be the equivalent of shrugging their shoulders
7. Most Venezuelans have a scar on one arm from a vaccine
8. Red is the color for Chavez and Chavistas, this is important mainly during times of voting or political events
9. People are very generous, giving lots of gifts. The general rule: if someone invites you out to eat, they pay for your food.
10. When someone enters a room where someone is eating a meal, or when two people are eating together, they say “buen provecho” (enjoy your meal).
11. “Dios te bendiga” (God bless you) is a very commonly used phrase—the response from the recipient of the blessing is “Amen.” People can “ask” for a blessing from older, close family members (parents, aunts and uncles) by saying “bendición” (blessing). The response from the elder person is, “Dios te bendiga.”
In other notes…
Starting on March 24, my team and I are planning on relocating for one month, possibly two, to work with a Christian organization that provides homes and families for boys who come from living on the streets in Caracas. The organization is called “Niños de la Luz” and is located in a ranch area in the mountains, on the outskirts of Caracas (http://www.ninosdelaluz.org/). It’s in a pretty secluded area, about a mile away from the closest town. We will be about an hour away from Charallave and, although we’re hoping to, we’re not sure that we’ll get a chance to come back to Charallave during our time with “Niños de la Luz.” There is no internet or phone connection “on the grounds,” so we don’t know yet how much communication with home we’ll have during this time.
The program is set up with fifteen boys ages 5-19, divided into three houses, with three sets of house parents. My team’s biggest role will be to support and provide help for the long-term staff. We will take part in different activities and duties, such as cooking, playing with the kids, work projects on the grounds, and participating in a short Bible study/worship time every night.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!
1. As typical of Latin-American culture as a whole, Venezuelan culture is centered around relationships, rather than time and the accomplishment of tasks. Scheduled times are relative, activities are quickly set aside to spend time with a friend who stops by at your house, and plans seem to be changing continually.
2. Typical greetings: a cheek-to-cheek “air kiss” is used in greetings between girls or a guy and a girl. Guys normally shake hands to greet each other.
3. People are generally very openly affectionate
4. Everybody teases each other…“gorda” and “feo” (fat and ugly) are commonly used terms, in love of course!
5. Many people “point” with their lips
6. Someone wrinkling their nose can be the equivalent of shrugging their shoulders
7. Most Venezuelans have a scar on one arm from a vaccine
8. Red is the color for Chavez and Chavistas, this is important mainly during times of voting or political events
9. People are very generous, giving lots of gifts. The general rule: if someone invites you out to eat, they pay for your food.
10. When someone enters a room where someone is eating a meal, or when two people are eating together, they say “buen provecho” (enjoy your meal).
11. “Dios te bendiga” (God bless you) is a very commonly used phrase—the response from the recipient of the blessing is “Amen.” People can “ask” for a blessing from older, close family members (parents, aunts and uncles) by saying “bendición” (blessing). The response from the elder person is, “Dios te bendiga.”
In other notes…
Starting on March 24, my team and I are planning on relocating for one month, possibly two, to work with a Christian organization that provides homes and families for boys who come from living on the streets in Caracas. The organization is called “Niños de la Luz” and is located in a ranch area in the mountains, on the outskirts of Caracas (http://www.ninosdelaluz.org/). It’s in a pretty secluded area, about a mile away from the closest town. We will be about an hour away from Charallave and, although we’re hoping to, we’re not sure that we’ll get a chance to come back to Charallave during our time with “Niños de la Luz.” There is no internet or phone connection “on the grounds,” so we don’t know yet how much communication with home we’ll have during this time.
The program is set up with fifteen boys ages 5-19, divided into three houses, with three sets of house parents. My team’s biggest role will be to support and provide help for the long-term staff. We will take part in different activities and duties, such as cooking, playing with the kids, work projects on the grounds, and participating in a short Bible study/worship time every night.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!
No comments:
Post a Comment