DEAR MEXICAN: While vacationing in Mexico, a couple of times, I have had vendors or waiters address me as chica. I didn't think much about it at the time, but while relating a conversation with one of these guys to a Mexican friend of mine back in the U.S., he insisted that chica is WAY too familiar, that these guys were insulting me. I was a little surprised to hear that, since I think I'm a very respectful person and wouldn't have given anyone a reason to disrespect me. What do you think? Were they just being friendly or taking advantage of my ignorance? Any advice for the next time I get chica-ed.
La Chica Blanca
DEAR GABACHA: While chica isn't the most formal of expressions (it translates as “girl” in Spanish), it's hardly the most insulting Mexican Spanish term a male stranger can use to get a woman's attention. The starting lineup, in devolving order, are doña (ma'am), señora/señorita (missus/miss), mujer (lady), querida (darling), linda (pretty), chica (girl), chula (honey), mamacita (cutie), pendeja (“dumb” by itself; “bitch” when modified by a verb), bruja (witch), mamona (cocksucker), puta (whore), piruja (slut) and Thalia.
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DEAR MEXICAN: I'm wondering what's going on with Mexicans and their seeming discomfort when presented with a handshake as a greeting. Most of the brown guys I have been around act as though they don't know what's going on when it's time to shake hands. They are slow in taking the hand that is offered, and when they finally do raise their hand for the shake, they don't look you in the eyes. The worst thing about it is their grip—limp wrist, fingertips only. It's as though you have a wet noodle in your hand. Do guys in Mexico not shake hands at all, or do they just do it differently than Americans? Should I stop trying to shake hands with these guys? What's up?
Not Shook Up
DEAR GABACHO: Two types of handshakes exist for Mexican hombres—the firm, look-you-in-the-eye one and the chokala, in which the men exchange a light handshake, cock their manos upward and grip each other's thumbs, do another mini-handshake involving just the fingers, and finally end with a fistbump (sometimes, it's reduced to just three steps, with the fingers part dropped). The firm handshake is the hallmark of the older generation and chúntaros; the latter is practiced by the younger generations. You do get the occasional aversion of the eyes, but that's just a vestige of the Spaniards who took anyone looking at them directly in the ojos as a sign of disrespect, but fuck Spanish traditions. Mexicans with limp wrists? Are you sure you weren't shaking hands with Puerto Ricans?
