Time

The Anglo culture measures time in a single dimension (ie, hours, minutes, and seconds). A value is placed upon each fraction of time. My time is worth $10 an hour (or $100 or $14,000 , etc). I spent 4 hours screwing around with this that or the other thing. Time marches on.

Science tells us that time exists like a fourth dimension. Actually, that is probably playing a bit fast and loose with the facts. But some of the latest thinking uses time as a thing that can be manipulated (ie, bent, focused, existing in parallel aspects, etc.). Way above the Gringo Renegado's paygrade!

It turns out that some other cultures have a different concept of time. Not only the "mañana" attitude (discussed in Language and Culture), but also an idea that time, or rather the value of time, can be measured in at least one more dimension. The Mayan shamans taught that time should be measured and valued according to the intensity of the moment.

I am not sure that they are right, or wrong for that matter. But take a moment to contemplate what you, dear reader, are doing right this moment, and value the intensity of it (not that you could be earning $10!). Many of us living outside have discovered that there are kernals of wisdom to this concept of time, and that discovery has enabled some of us to better understand the nature of the rat race that we left behind. Add the Fox News idea that issues are simplistic and black and white to the idea that time only matters as a measure to arrive, and I submit we have a recipe for the political and cultural neurosis that is so visible from outside the United States looking in, and almost invisible when one is on the inside.

Indeed, there is a lot of examples of the consequences of the unilateral definition of time around the world, and it is not a castigation meant only for the Gringo Renegado's compatriots. I propose that being inside makes it very difficult to discover and live under a different idea of time.

Wait! The sun is setting behind the volcano.....

Language and Culture

Language is a reflection of culture, and by the same token culture is a reflection of language. The Czechs have a saying that, roughly translated, says "learn a new language and adopt a new culture".

Most everyone hs heard the old joke: What to you call a person that speaks three languages? "Tri-lingual". What do you call a person that speaks two languages? "Bi-lingual". Then what do you call a person that speaks only one language? "American".

Indeed! But so what?

English (and for that matter German) is a language that is content oriented. Give me the facts, and I can work with them. I would argue that American culture is also content oriented. Look no farther than the comsumerism that permeates all facets of American life. New car, new clothes, 80 pairs of shoes. All the trappings and toys we seldom get to use or enjoy beyond the day that they arrived home. My stuff.

Spanish (and French and Italian as examples) have a diferent basic structure from English. These languages are context oriented. And so are their respective cultures. An explaination of why the plumber did not arrive as scheduled inside the Latino culture involves a, yes, detailed description of the entire context of the situation. This might include some people that have no apparent direct connection to the events. But it is important to lay clear the context of the no-show. Two examples: first, you arrive to your Mexican friends house and admire a piece of pottery on display. Don't be suprised that the vase leaves with you at the end of the evening! Friends are important. Second, lunch in Mexico City starts at 2 pm, or 3 pm, or sometime there abouts, and will continue until it finishes. Hey, I am doing lunch with my: business partners, clients, mistress, etc., and when we are finished enjoying lunch we will finish lunch! Meanwhile, the office and everthing and everyone else can wait. Context.

That is why "mañana" does not mean "tomorrow". It means "not today". Put it into context and forget the content.

When we are outside looking in, we have a different context. Even if we are in Berlin. This should be Lesson 101.

The view from outside

Maybe irreverent is the best adjective. But, sabes que, once you live outside the States for a while and take Jimmy Buffet's advice to learn a word of Spanish or two, the map of the world changes. Fox News become irrelevant. The world is indeed round. And not centered in Washington nor New York.

For those of us ex-patriots who chose to live outside, I hope this blog can accomplish two goals: 1) provide a source of information for living better among our adopted compatriots, and 2) provide perspective on the important topics of the day that is otherwise unavailable to our brethern still inside through the traditional information feeds. Maybe a third: have fun doing it!

Cheers!