~Cultural Differences~
Honduras living is definitely different to what I imagined: from how we eat, to the extremeness of the macho culture to even the general friendliness of the people here. Things that once shocked me now seem completely normal + I’m already anticipating how weird it will be to return to the culture of the UK.
When we were on training on the little Isle of Coll, laughing at the India volunteers who had to eat curry with their hands, I never thought the joke would end up on us. Hondurans traditionally don’t eat with cutlery and in fact for the first few months we were the only two with cutlery at the table. Instead, our department of Intibuca uses tortillas how I imagine naan bread is used, to scoop the food up. Recently I was eating a burrito with one of our Honduran friends who was completely shocked + had a good laugh at me picking up my knife and fork to eat it. He said I was insulting his culture (una broma) + we proceeded to eat only with our hands which definitely isn’t easy but is a lot more fun – plus I now see what they mean about food tasting nicer this way! My only problem is imagining what it’ll be like when I’m back in England + I go out + start eating using my hands…
Although things happen here, Honduras is really not as dangerous as everyone told me. I was relayed horror stories and made to promise I’d be extremely careful to ensure I wasn’t committing myself to an early death. Whilst Honduras certainly isn’t like the UK, it’s not some sort of country where death awaits you around every corner. We are careful, as you always should be, but all I’ve experienced from people here is pure kindness. One example of this is that one day I was carrying the 5 gallon bottle of water we buy weekly to sustain our need for H2O when we passed a man waiting with his bike at the pulpería. He called over to us, asked Giselle to take his bike + took the water out of my hands. What came as a surprise to me seemed so normal to him as he helped us hugely by carrying the water to our gate, bidding a farewell + cycling on his way. People here are generally super wonderful! We’ve formed so many amazing friendships I’ll treasure forever, a few of which are pictured below:
When I say people, I’m obviously excluding some of the men.. we were warned about a macho culture but not to the degree I’ve experienced. Whistles + shouts are not the only thing you receive as a gringa, there’s also kisses, touching of your body when you least expect/want it + the occasional proposal. Joys of Honduras!
One of the parts of culture I tend to struggle with as well a little is Honduran Time. Your friend tells you that you are going to leave in 10 minutes? I gaurentee 20 minutes later you will still be sat in your house waiting. Everything here is very chilled, which is a wonderful thing, but can be such a pain when you want something to be done! When we chat with friends they are amazed that when you agree to meet someone at a certain time, let’s say 11am, a British person may be there 5 minutes early, whereas a Honduran may be there at 11:30… my top tip is just to tell your friends to be there 30 minutes before you actually want to meet😉 then, even when they are late, they are actually bang on time.
Time isn’t the only thing Hondurans are late on. The fashion here has a pretty rustic feel. To buy things new out here is weird. The vast majority of the shops are second hand + that’s just the norm – hence why Giselle + I have found so many clothes for so cheap. I can imagine us going back to the UK + not buying any clothes, deeming them all to be overpriced (as they are). This is one part of Hondy I’ll miss for sure!!
However, a really fun part of Honduran culture is that our hsre sharing really does mean caring. If it’s not love notes then it’s food that’s thrust upon me. Our adopted family out here have been nothing but wonderful, helping us whenever we’ve needed it, taking me to Teguc + always providing delicious food for us! Likewise, my kiddos always overwhelm me with hugs, food + hundreds of notes all of which I adore💙 take note from the Hondurans: if you love someone, let them know it!!
One taboo subject here is the use of condoms and just sex in general is not a subject to be spoken about. Coming from the liberal nature of England, where this isn’t an issue, it’s super strange for me to be in a place where the morning after pill and abortions are illegal yet prostitution is legal. When we were in Teguc we saw quite literal crowds of women in skimpy clothes lining the streets, waiting for their customers. However, to buy a packet of condoms in a pulperia is a really uncomfortable act for both persons involved. This stark contrast in attitudes is a part of the culture I can’t say I was expecting but has certainly been interesting to learn about.
Lots of these aspects of the culture are mainly due to the fact that Honduras is a lot more religious of a country. In the UK there is such a variety of religions that you could have a room with 5 people + they may all believe something different. For me, this cultural diversity is a good thing as different people bring different things to the country. Here though, people are one of two: catholic or evangelical, being very devot in these. Examples of this that fly into my mind are the 6 hour church service we attended with our neighbours (I was ill so we lasted 3), the fact they go Wednesday night, Tuesday morning (5am) + Sunday. It’s something super different for me but what I would say is it’s definitely opened my mind + I’ve been given the opportunity to see the best parts of religion, especially working in a Christian school. I even took part in a march for Bible Day – something I never thought I’d do!
Hondurans can seriously braid. No one informed me of this before I came out here but most days I’m shocked by the hairstyles my kiddos rock at school with the complex, intertwined plaits that cover their heads. Our family have attempted to show us how to do this but more often than not it ends up with them braiding our hair, as shown in these serious throwback pictures:
Dancing is a big deal here + a more positive aspect of the culture. Traditional dances are performed in huge colourful dresses that can be lifted by the sides up to the head! The vast majority are partner dances with the men stomping their feet lots + being very macho, as per usual. However these colourful shows are a joy to watch + something I’d highly reccomend.
Honduran slang is something we’ve picked up relatively well (unlike dancing) + never fails to make me laugh. Here’s a breakdown of our most used phrases, that we’ve picked up through kids at school, the family + chats with Megan:
⁃aay no – used when something bad has happened, the Honduran version of “oh no!”
⁃Puchaaa – the Honduran version of “Oh my goodness”
⁃Quecke – I’ve heard this being used as thanks, bye + occasionally when people ask “como esta?” The reply is “todo quecke”
⁃Vaya pues – used the same as the Spanish use “vale”
⁃Nombre – The shortened version of “no hombre” which is mainly used when kids don’t wanna do work!
You know how we have that thing in the UK when someone asks us for directions + we lift up our finger to point them in the right direction? Well, Hondurans use their mouths to point. Especially common amongst men, it does make asking where things are a lot more fun for us. They throw their lips in the direction they are talking about, often whilst they are saying the word!
As you will know by now, we don’t use washing machines/dryers. I’d now find it pretty weird not to grab my little bar of soap + head out to the pila every time I have a dirty item of clothing. Getting to hang up clothes can be an annoyance in rainy season but our view from the roof it’s always a part of my day that I love.
Hondurans shout/whilstle for attention. At you, at buses, at each other – it’s totally the norm here. One time we were sitting in a comedor + I heard someone whilsting and shouting “ey!” but didn’t imagine it would be at me. When I turned around + made eye contact I realised the truth was it had been at me + I was suddenly in a conversation about where we were from. Opps. As well as this I find in general Hondurans are super forward, asking all kinds of questions that would be deemed “rude” in Britain. Whether it’s meet curiosity or the culture I can’t tell but I must admit I’ve been shocked many a time by the questions we’ve received.
^ little David who, on seeing this on my bed, picked it up + asked if he could have it to play with, not realising what it was😂
Tampons are kinda taboo out here. From speaking with our catracho friends I’ve learnt that out here girls aren’t expected to use them until they have lost their virginity – which for the majority they feel should be only after marriage. The liberal nature of the UK is all too apparent when we make comments about how in our county girls can use them at any age they want without problems. We’ve had similar problems when we’ve made comments about being comfortable with homosexuality + being confronted with the opinions that this is somehow “wrong” which obviously we disagree with whilst trying to respect their culture – it can be difficult sometimes for sure!
One thing the Brits could learn from the Catrachos is the art of truck riding. Once you’ve done this once, you’ll never want to sit in a car again. The first time I wore a seatbelt out here was in a posh taxi in Teguc + I only did it because my mumma did it first. I actually now really wish this wasn’t illegal in the UK because there’s no better feeling than zooming along with the wind in your hair + the incredible Honduran countryside whizzing by.
^above: an example of a truly beautiful hitchhiking experience and below: an example of just how many people can fit in a truck
You’re white. People assume you have money. This is just the truth out here. You’ll be ripped off for things, the prices seem to go up hugely when we’re around + we’ve had discussions when we deem this completely unfair. The way we’ve got around this problem is by integrating more into the community, for example the fruit/veggie man we go to every week that’s lovely to us + always throws in something free!
The national anthem is kinda a big deal here. They play it all the time + all the kids have to learn it in school. My favourite reaction is the neighbours shocked faces when they ask us to perform the British one + we simply answer that we don’t really know it. I can perform a couple of lines for them but then I sort of trail off into nothingness… whereas they all ace Tu Bandera – with hand actions too! It’s safe to say they are a lot more patriotic and so they should be, Hondy is a wonderful little country.
Saying good morning/afternoon is super common here as you walk through the street. You’ll call out a “hola”, “adiós” or “nos vemos” to pretty much everyone – regardless of if you know them or not. For me this really helps feel more comfortable in the area because it feels like such a nice little community.
Quite possibly my favourite part about Honduras is that life is more chilled. After school the kids don’t sit on their iPads/phones, aimlessly scrolling through social media. They tend to play games outside together or rope us into basketball or football – which often we fail at! On Sundays we often use to play a big group game of football in the street, using rocks for goal posts + having to pause every time a car came near. It’s these relaxed times I’m going to miss the most.
Honduran culture is full of beauty, sharing + fun and truly I’ve had an incredible experience living here in Yamaranguila for the past 9 months + learning about it. I’m so adjust to how liberal Britain is that sometimes I struggle with this aspect of Honduras – as well as the forever hated catcalls – but besides this I think there are some really funky things Honduras brings to the table of culture. So let’s all start eating with our hands, right?
From a little blue house in Yamaranguila,
Charlotte
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