So...I don't really have any great stories as of late, but I do have some fun observations to share:
- Copyright laws mean nothing in Chile. Because books are so expensive, you don't buy any for your classes. Instead, you wait in line for an hour at the fotocopiadora to make a 450 page book into a pretty, bound photocopy :)
- Smoking is more or less a built-in part of life here. My teachers give us breaks in longer classes so they can go out in smoke. And alongside the highlighters at the fotocopiadora they sell cigarette lighters.
- They LOVE Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts here. Seriously, almost every movie has either one or the other, which I guess is good since I really like them both!
- The Simpsons and Family Guy (Padre de la Familia) are very popular here. Almost more than in the states! The funniest part is that a lot of the jokes don't quite translate from English to Spanish, so you start hearing some really strange things...
- Like the jokes, many of the movies have completely different titles in Spanish. Ex: Two Weeks Notice -> Amor a segunda vista. Closer -> Llevados por el deseo.
- Bus drivers are either really friendly or super mean. Mean ones don't stop for little old ladies trying to get to the stop in time. Or they just skip your stop entirely because they're in a hurry. But, if they're nice, they'll let you know when they get to your stop and call you "mi amor" when they speak to you.
- Doctor's notes (like copyright laws) mean nothing. If you miss a class, the profe probably didn't even notice. Unless they take attendence. And even then, they probably don't care.
- Leftovers last forever. You will eat for dinner what you didn't eat for lunch. And it will reappear a week later. Good thing I like the food...;)
- There's a futbol game on every hour of every day (or night).
- Everyone believes in horoscopes. And reincarnation. Quite strange coming from such a catholic society...
- The men (or should I say boys) are much more forward. The second question someone will ask you, after "Cómo te llamas?" is generally "Do you have a boyfriend?" And I've been asked for my number on the metro more than once.
Hahaha. Great observations, Marin! You're very astute. Just in case you decide to move back to Chile and work, those doctors notes become realy important in the workplace. But you're right about at the U...they could care less! One time I gave my profe a note and he was like, "What is this??"
ReplyDeleteIf you like the names of the movies you should look for the names of the movies "atonement", "brokeback mountain" and that movie with sach braff where he goes back to his mother's funeral and finds out he also can feel...
ReplyDeleteAnd check the names of the jetsons and the Flintstones in spanish.
Doctor's notes are useful for the times when you miss a test.
No bus driver ever called me "mi amor"... you and your white privileges.