Just a Regular White Girl

That's what I've been dubbed by the people I work with. Yes, I know, I live in Miami, where most of the population seems to be Hispanic. But why do I just have to be a "Regular White Girl" (RWG, from this point forward).

A lot of people come into work who only speak Spanish. I understand that living here, knowing Spanish would make my life easier. Wait, no it wouldn't. It would make other people's lives easier. Sigh. We're in America- we speak English. I have WAY less of a problem with customers who don't speak Spanish (let's face it- we've all been to other countries and didn't speak the language) than I do with store employees who don't speak English. (recall my Target story?)

Anyway, climbing off my soapbox.... I was in the breakroom the other day, and one of my co-workers was talking to another coworker about how when he first met her, he thought she was "just a RWG" then he shortly found out she was Hispanic, which made her cooler, apparently. So I asked- "What exactly is a RWG?" To which he seemed to have no answer. I suppose I'm being descriminated against because I have no blatently obvious heritage... as my mom always says, I'm European American. That always gets questioning looks.

Regarding the Hispanic culture in Miami, I've now been here for three months and I have a few observations.

1. Their coffee is tasty. And strong. And cheap. Forget Starbucks, I hit up the coffee places around me and can get amazing coffee for $1. Put it this way- if it's more than $1.50, you're getting taken advantage of.
2. They like to kiss you. Weird. I have personal space issues, so when I first meet people, I extend my hand for a nice handshake. Nope- that doesn't work here. People love hugging and doing the two cheek kiss. Took a while for me to not be totally heebed out by it. It's beginning to grow on me... but I'm still not 100%
3. They call women "mama." It's not just the dudes that do it either- it's girls too. I have NEVER been called mama in my ENTIRE life, and suddenly, it's like my new name.
   
4. Back to the coffee... a lot of times, when you buy a Cuban coffee (just espresso and loads of sugar) they give you these little plastic "shot glasses" to share it with your friends. How fun. I suppose they think that you would have to be nuts to finish the whole thing yourself... I've done it. Many times.
   

Alas... I've had enough of my Miami observations... I'm sitting in the Fort Lauderdale airport (thanks, free WiFi!!!) waiting for my flight to NYC... I'll be there soon! Stay tuned for a trip recap and pictures.

Sounds of South Florida

So... South Florida is nothing like Tallahassee. I've been here a little over a week, and I've seen and heard a few things that I doubt I ever would have back in Tallahassee.

1- I went to Target last week. I couldn't find what I was looking for, so I asked the women in the red shirt with a Target name tag where I could find it. She turns to me with a really confused look on her face, shrugs, points to her tag and said "Spanish?" Now, I applaud Target for hiring Spanish speakers to accommodate the large Spanish speaking community here, but really- you couldn't find someone bilingual?

2- Boob jobs being advertised on the radio... the country station that I was listening to this morning at 9 AM. There was this guy, doing the "Used Car Salesman" shout, selling breast augmentation surgeries with the same gusto that people sell Mazda's that get good gas mileage. "Only $3499!" But wait.... if you want smart lipo, you can add that and get the whole package for "ONLY $5000!" They go on to detail financing options, various interest rates... and the kicker- my favorite part. "Get your breast augmentation surgery here. It's so cheap, you don't even have to go to South America!" Seriously? That would never fly in Tallahassee.

3- I was behind a guy in the line at my neighborhood Publix who bought a $250 bottle of champagne. The cashier asked if he had a hot date, to which his response was... "Not yet. I figure if I have this in my apartment, something good will come." Sigh. It's kind of funny that there are people out there that think the very presence of a $250 bottle of bubbly will cause the ladies to come flocking to your front door.

It cracks me up to hear things like this... I'm sure there will be more!