thanks John for this submission. I like jokes but #2 always was special
in my house "2. The party is separated into women cooking, men drinking,
and kids playing."
Other than on Thanksgiving I can't remember my mom EVER sitting down to
eat with the family. She was always in the kitchen bring the food to the
table. I'd see her eat later. I wish I had enough curiosity to have
asked her questions. I'd love to know if she would have felt
uncomfortable sitting with us. Or if it was just the natural way of
being? or just the way things were in the style she was raised.
She also never cooked things according to her taste preferences but
according to how my dad liked things cooked. Then again I don't remember
him being a domineering type over her. When he'd have a few drinks and
they'd argue my mom could hold her end of the argument up very very well.
joseph
===================
Joseph Puentes
http://H2Opodcast.com (Environment Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History)
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Mijo's Birthday Party
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:44:55 -0800
From: John Gonzalez <1gnzlz@verizon.net>
To: Joseph Puentes
*Hi:*
**
*I think this is hilarious and I thought you might get a laugh out of
it...You can even share it with the rest of the group if you want.*
**
*Mijo's Birthday Party.*
**
**Top 15 ways to tell it's a MEXICAN birthday party: ***
*
1. some of the guests didn't bring a gift - but brought extra
uninvited kids.
2. The party is separated into women cooking, men drinking, and kids
playing.
3. The party is at Chuck E. Cheese but they brought their own food,
cake and a Piñata.
4. It's a child's party, but there are more grown ups than children.
5. It's Mijo's 1st birthday and the party food is carne asada,
arroz, frijoles and 10 cases of beer.
6. For entertainment, instead of playing pin the tail on the
donkey, there is usually a televised baseball or
futbol game, or a live fight.
7. The party was supposed to be over at 5pm, but its 7:30pm and the
party is just starting.
8. The host calls someone who's on their way and tells them to stop
and get some tortillas and ice.
9. You hear someone go up to the birthday child and say,
"Mira, que lindo. I'm going to have to get you
something next week when I get paid."
10. The party is Saturday, and you get a call from the hostess
Friday saying,"I'm giving Mijo a birthday party
tomorrow at 3pm"
11. Some guest bring gifts that are still in the Wal-Mart bag.
12. The cake didn't come from the store; it came from the
mother of the comadre of your best friend's sister who
makes really good cakes.
13. You are told you have to save your plate and fork you ate your
food with,so you can eat your cake.
14. Guests automatically wrap up a plate of food and cake to take
home.
15. It's Mijo's birthday, but since his cousin Maria is there
and her birthday is in a few days, it becomes Mijo's
and Maria's party.
**SEND THIS TO 7 MEXICANS. HECK, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "JUST 7"
MEXICANS! SEND THIS TO THE WHOLE FAMILIA!**
**
**
**
[Fwd: Mijo's Birthday Party]
I can definitely relate to most of them! I've actually been one of those that is called to stop at the store on the way to the party!
As far as the comment you made about your mother cooking to your father's taste, well, I'm pretty sure it's the same for most women raised in Mexico or first generation Mexican-Americans learning from their Mexican mothers as far as being taught to cater to the "man of the house" who was usually the sole "bread-winner (unlike the American belief that if you have hands, you can serve yourself. OK, I'm generalizing, but I hope you get the idea.)." I have an aunt that was always revolted as the thought of touching raw meat and she ended up marrying a man from Michoacan who thinks that "solo sus chicharrones truenan (I thought you would appreciate that expression, that whatever he says, goes!). :-) She had to learn how to cook cow tongue and brains and other meals that she never ate, much less prepared. It goes to show how our Mexican culture is still so strong even in this country. As a newlywed, I'm feeling the stress of learning a style of cooking that is a bit
different from my mother's, especially because my husband's parents are from different regions of Mexico and it makes a big difference. The hardest part is not giving into the feeling that it's not fair, that I should be able to serve MY mother's style, too, but that's my personal feeling and I guess I've been exposed to too much "American feminism" for my husbands liking. LOL! It's only a natural thought, though, as my traditions are still very much my mother's traditions. And, even though my husband is not a "machista," his traditions are also his father's traditions, one of them being that he expects to be waited upon at mealtime. I haven't had a warm meal since I've been married because it seems that, as soon as I lift the fork to my mouth, I get some sort of request such as more tortillas, a napkin, a glass of water. It never fails...Anyway, I think I just painted a rather resentful picture of myself but it is not the case. I just think that, although our
culture is very deeply embedded in us, most women feel the same way and just some women are more outspoken than others...Like me!
Cristina
Family traits from Mexico
My goodness Cristina, you sound like you were talking about my mother! I used to call her the Mexican Edith Bunker and that makes my Dad the Mexican Archie Bunker. I told her I would never wait on any man hand and foot like she did and she told me I just didn't understand yet.. She said she did it because she loved him and enjoyed making him feel special in one of the few ways she could. Now, 45 years later I understand. Problem is I'm married to a man who the first time I filled his plate and put it in front of him he asked me if I thought he didn't know how to do that himself! I had to laugh and learn to cater in other ways less obvious..
My husband is Anglo and from Ohio who meet his first Latina at age 18 when he moved to California. He made the comment that Mexicans seem to raise their daughters to think they are princess's.. ya know, in my family it's true! We all had Dad's that made us feel special and deserving and Mom's who taught us to be strong without our husbands knowing just how much we did and managed.. We come from wise stock!
thanks for sharing,
Linda in Everett
La Plus Belle wrote:
I can definitely relate to most of them! I've actually been one of those that is called to stop at the store on the way to the party!
As far as the comment you made about your mother cooking to your father's taste, well, I'm pretty sure it's the same for most women raised in Mexico or first generation Mexican-Americans learning from their Mexican mothers as far as being taught to cater to the "man of the house" who was usually the sole "bread-winner (unlike the American belief that if you have hands, you can serve yourself. OK, I'm generalizing, but I hope you get the idea.)." I have an aunt that was always revolted as the thought of touching raw meat and she ended up marrying a man from Michoacan who thinks that "solo sus chicharrones truenan (I thought you would appreciate that expression, that whatever he says, goes!). :-) She had to learn how to cook cow tongue and brains and other meals that she never ate, much less prepared. It goes to show how our Mexican culture is still so strong even in this country. As a newlywed, I'm feeling the stress of learning a style of cooking that is a bit
different from my mother's, especially because my husband's parents are from different regions of Mexico and it makes a big difference. The hardest part is not giving into the feeling that it's not fair, that I should be able to serve MY mother's style, too, but that's my personal feeling and I guess I've been exposed to too much "American feminism" for my husbands liking. LOL! It's only a natural thought, though, as my traditions are still very much my mother's traditions. And, even though my husband is not a "machista," his traditions are also his father's traditions, one of them being that he expects to be waited upon at mealtime. I haven't had a warm meal since I've been married because it seems that, as soon as I lift the fork to my mouth, I get some sort of request such as more tortillas, a napkin, a glass of water. It never fails...Anyway, I think I just painted a rather resentful picture of myself but it is not the case. I just think that, although our
culture is very deeply embedded in us, most women feel the same way and just some women are more outspoken than others...Like me!
Cristina
---------------------------------
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Family traits from Mexico
Yes, Linda, I agree with you. We have been taught to be strong for our families and maintain order in our homes, even if that means dealing with a demanding husband or children who do not realize the sacrifices that are made in order for them to have something better than we had. All this done quietly and inconspicously so as not to give the impression that we are capable of being more than maids. :-) I think that is why some people do not understand our culture, why we remain silent and "just grin and bear it." We are taught, by example, that "la familia" and caring for those we love are more important than our own self-gratification. Of course, if you marry into a culture that can give you a break sometimes, even better! :-)
Erlinda Castanon-Long wrote:
My goodness Cristina, you sound like you were talking about my mother! I used to call her the Mexican Edith Bunker and that makes my Dad the Mexican Archie Bunker. I told her I would never wait on any man hand and foot like she did and she told me I just didn't understand yet.. She said she did it because she loved him and enjoyed making him feel special in one of the few ways she could. Now, 45 years later I understand. Problem is I'm married to a man who the first time I filled his plate and put it in front of him he asked me if I thought he didn't know how to do that himself! I had to laugh and learn to cater in other ways less obvious..
My husband is Anglo and from Ohio who meet his first Latina at age 18 when he moved to California. He made the comment that Mexicans seem to raise their daughters to think they are princess's.. ya know, in my family it's true! We all had Dad's that made us feel special and deserving and Mom's who taught us to be strong without our husbands knowing just how much we did and managed.. We come from wise stock!
thanks for sharing,
Linda in Everett
[Fwd: Mijo's Birthday Party]
Thanks for sharing the humor.. I know sometimes I take myself tooooo serious so this helps to bring a smile over things that really did and do happen in my family. I do wonder if I would find it as funny if my Anglo friend from Arkansas had sent it??
Linda
Joseph Puentes wrote:
thanks John for this submission. I like jokes but #2 always was special
in my house "2. The party is separated into women cooking, men drinking,
and kids playing."
Other than on Thanksgiving I can't remember my mom EVER sitting down to
eat with the family. She was always in the kitchen bring the food to the
table. I'd see her eat later. I wish I had enough curiosity to have
asked her questions. I'd love to know if she would have felt
uncomfortable sitting with us. Or if it was just the natural way of
being? or just the way things were in the style she was raised.
She also never cooked things according to her taste preferences but
according to how my dad liked things cooked. Then again I don't remember
him being a domineering type over her. When he'd have a few drinks and
they'd argue my mom could hold her end of the argument up very very well.
joseph
===================
Joseph Puentes
http://H2Opodcast.com (Environment Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History)
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Mijo's Birthday Party
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:44:55 -0800
From: John Gonzalez <1gnzlz@verizon.net>
To: Joseph Puentes
*Hi:*
**
*I think this is hilarious and I thought you might get a laugh out of
it...You can even share it with the rest of the group if you want.*
**
*Mijo's Birthday Party.*
**
**Top 15 ways to tell it's a MEXICAN birthday party: ***
*
1. some of the guests didn't bring a gift - but brought extra
uninvited kids.
2. The party is separated into women cooking, men drinking, and kids
playing.
3. The party is at Chuck E. Cheese but they brought their own food,
cake and a Piñata.
4. It's a child's party, but there are more grown ups than children.
5. It's Mijo's 1st birthday and the party food is carne asada,
arroz, frijoles and 10 cases of beer.
6. For entertainment, instead of playing pin the tail on the
donkey, there is usually a televised baseball or
futbol game, or a live fight.
7. The party was supposed to be over at 5pm, but its 7:30pm and the
party is just starting.
8. The host calls someone who's on their way and tells them to stop
and get some tortillas and ice.
9. You hear someone go up to the birthday child and say,
"Mira, que lindo. I'm going to have to get you
something next week when I get paid."
10. The party is Saturday, and you get a call from the hostess
Friday saying,"I'm giving Mijo a birthday party
tomorrow at 3pm"
11. Some guest bring gifts that are still in the Wal-Mart bag.
12. The cake didn't come from the store; it came from the
mother of the comadre of your best friend's sister who
makes really good cakes.
13. You are told you have to save your plate and fork you ate your
food with,so you can eat your cake.
14. Guests automatically wrap up a plate of food and cake to take
home.
15. It's Mijo's birthday, but since his cousin Maria is there
and her birthday is in a few days, it becomes Mijo's
and Maria's party.
**SEND THIS TO 7 MEXICANS. HECK, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "JUST 7"
MEXICANS! SEND THIS TO THE WHOLE FAMILIA!**
**
*1gnzlz@verizon.net *
**
**