I've been thinking about the many ways of talking of mexicans. Especially when my patients talk to me (I'm a psychologist) and they tell me about a situation at home. In Mexico, when you talk with someone for first time and you want to relate something that happened in your house, you should say: "I was in YOUR house watching TV and then..." but you're not referring to that you were in the other person's house watching TV. I know, the correct way is to say "I was in my house watching TV and then" but in saying "I was in your house... " means that the other person is always welcome to come to your house whenever he/she wants, is a way to not seem prepotent and also to show that they can trust in you and you on them, it's a manner to show good education in a first conversation. But you have to say "your house" only once, the first time that you want to talk about your house. Then the other person have to say "thank you" (for offer me your house, you're gentile) and then you can continue saying normally "my house this" "my house that" blah blah.
I could find a TV comercial that I watched years ago to promote sodas, but they used this expresion and its posible confusion XD it's about foreign man (possibly german) called "Gunther" (strange name, lol) in his new job with mexicans, lol. I translated for you.
-Gunther! Welcome to Mexico, sir.
-Welcome "compadre"! (compadre is a family title, but it can be used for very good friends too, and only man use it for their male friends).
-We have to celebrate. This saturday, party at your house.
-But I just arrived, it's a bit complicated...
-No, you're in Mexico! Saturday, party at your house!
But Gunther understand at his house, literaly. So he prepared everything to the party (and he buys the sodas which are the purpose of the comercial), his family helps too, but no one comes to his house! An then, the party guy said: I think Gunther will not come! and the slogan at the end: "In México, your house (means) my house". LOL! it's a good comercial I think XD and by the way, in spanish, House is Casa XD
Wow after living in Mexico for awhile, I remember hearing this! And I really thought they meant "my house" like they were all coming to "my house" lmao and I started stressing about it as my house wasn't prepared for a fiesta. HA HA. Then, it never happened and I thought "Thats was weird..." LOL! This was really interesting! By the way, I wrote a letter to you! I will send it off today:) I wrote all in Spanish in the letter -- is that OK? are you an American living in Mexico or are you Mexican and fluent in English?
ReplyDeleteA letter for me?! *o* awssssss what a surprise! thanks dear~
DeleteI'm mexican =v=U and... I use google translater most of the time .___.U
Hello lovely girl :D I awarded you with the Liebster Award: Here: http://sweets-and-dreams.blogspot.co.at/2012/06/liebster-award.html
ReplyDeleteHave fun answering the questions
Yoshi
Hahaha thanks, lovely girl ^^
DeleteSiii una cartita para ti! Lo voy a mandar hoy en la noche cuando voy al trabajo. Que tengas buen dia/noche. xoxox Katie
ReplyDeleteYAY! *-* estaré esperando!
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