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Paulo69
  4/2/2016 03:59 EST

Thank you for standing up against obnoxious foreigners. We all should.

Although the influx of money from tourism is good for the Guatemalan economy, it is an industry. Money does not come free, tourists are getting something out of it (at a great price, I might add). Otherwise tourism would be shrinking instead of ballooning.

My point is that it is that no one is doing anyone a favor. It is just an exchange of funds for goods and services.

I am Guatemalan and I appreciate mutual respect above all.

Welcome to all who respect our country and our cultures (plural) and thank you for visiting or for making this your new home.

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bajasur
  4/2/2016 10:18 EST

I agree with both you and Paulo69. I live in Antigua and am from N. America. I've adopted this fine city and country as my own. As far as the original poster, yes I've witnessed these kind of actions from travelers/tourists as well as expats that live here. It saddens me to see the disrespect shown by some of them. I've received some not so nice looks from N. Americans when out in the park with my Guatemalteca girlfriend. But no I have not said anything. I should, but I let them live on in their ignorance. Shame on me. As Paulo69 states, tourism is a strong driver of the economy here. The Guatemaltecos benefit and the tourists benefit. And thank you for your warm welcome to your very fine country. I've lived here for over 4 years and have made it my home.

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Guategringo
  4/2/2016 10:45 EST

I have lived in Guatemala for the past 23 years. Even though I have been a permanent resident for over 18 years I consider myself a guest in this paradise I call home. Many expats forget that fact and want to make changes to how things are done here. They also tend to talk louder in English believing the person they are talking to might understand them better even though that person's English is limited. Remember, unless were are Guatemalan or a naturalized citizen we are guests even if were are permanent residents and especially if on tourist visas of 90 days. We need to respect the traditions, the customs, and the cultural that make this country so attractive to so many. We need to remember this is not the country were are from and what works in our country of origin might not work here and should not be shoved down the throat of people here thinking that it will work better than what is already in place.

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ddeubel
  4/2/2016 10:49 EST

Amen. And it goes double when it comes to religion.

All those taliban evangelicals should also be called out. They've already done enough damage.

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ddeubel
  4/2/2016 10:49 EST

Amen. And it goes double when it comes to religion.

All those taliban evangelicals should also be called out. They've already done enough damage.

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apekzp
  4/6/2016 09:43 EST

I want to live at least part -time throughout the year, and have been disheartened by subculture that has emerged with North American, because the air of entitlement.

As if Guatemala was there ONLY for their sole amusement--ignoring the obvious poverty--and I caught one man saying to a child--who was selling something----sternly don;t come here--while I am eating--do you hear me? don't do that again. And I was furious. He spoke VERY differently to me of course.
How are you? blah-blah. I gave him a disgusted look and ignored his banter.
I beckoned to the kid--and gave a him a few Qs--and it shamed that guy into giving the child a 5Q.

I heard a woman after hugging an elderly Mayan woman trying to sell the tipico---say--

now go away--don't bother me. Poverty is not part of the romantic landscape--IT IS REAL--but it is treated like some sort of folklore.
.
I try my hardest to give and if I can't-I will share my meal --often in Pana --I give my orange juice or breakfast or lunch item. Once a bunch of boys came up for shoe shine--and I told the restaurant Kitcsch, give them each, a banana -and put it on my bill-

-it was only a Q each, but to see them walking away, talking and eating the bananas, felt like--I tried to show my respect for what they were forced to do and in my limited way--tried to help..Sometimes--I have to say "I cannot my love--I just can't"--but I try to be compassionate---because this is not a game--they are not part of scenery and really hungry and really poor. I can imagine the living conditions that create walking around endlessly trying to scrape a living.

Finally, at Rainbow ---there was one waitress on the floor, and this couple walks --sit for FIVE minutes--and she 'is clearing off one table for me to sit at --the man gets up in a huff to walk to the manager.

She drops EVERYTHING and grabs her pad and takes his order and from then on--attends only to him. He sits down,placated---giving her only the merest acknowledgment-when she brings his order-it was like she was HIS servant. I was so disgusted--I gave them both dirty looks

PARA SERVIRLE--is taken by the Norte Americanos for granted and as a right--instead of a courtesy and privilege

I wish I could say--I see many kindhearted foreigners who act truly brother and sisters and recognized guests to my beloved friends here, ---but there are sadly those people are deviant and not the norm.

Glad I am not alone in this observation.

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Lane739
  4/6/2016 23:44 EST

Thank you for that we Americans can be so clueless tell these people how you feel and how one must embrace what is different and it you can not. Go home

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Normando
  4/7/2016 06:34 EST

The bubble of "Antigua".... I have lived in Guatemala since the 1980's, and have seen the good and the bad!
At times, I've observed these actions and just gritted my teeth... however WE, as foreigners are NOT TO CHANGE..the culture. No matter what, why are we to force 'Gringo ideas here? Guatemala, and most latin countries do, and still do, have a traditional "class" culture, and who are we to say this is "wrong"?

If you get out of the bubble, you will see this works out ok... Also the beggars, some children - make more $ than their working fathers - should we encourage this? What are they going to grow up as? Use common sense in giving.
The cultures are different away from Antigua and Gringotenango... Also be aware of the severe crimes that are so common!
I travel Guatemala/USA via overland and have done so over 200 times.

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Panabud
  4/7/2016 19:31 EST

Let me counterpoint the gringo bashing. First of all many foreigners are just passing through as visitors or volunteers. They are who they are and dress a certain way and react a certain way to situations. Many are on vacation and are there to indulge themselves. They are not there to pander to the locals or save the poor children. It's not their purpose for visiting. They are there to have a good time. If it means not wanting to be pestered by touts or beggars and receiving great service from the locals then it is understandable. Some people are rude and demanding in general, There is no reason to gringo bash because people dress how they normally dress and react to situations as they normally do. There is also a double standard. When foreigners visit the States they are not expected to act American and wear blue jeans and sneakers just like the locals do. They can wear their native garb and act like they normally do in their native country without being criticized by their fellow traveler.

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apekzp
  4/8/2016 10:52 EST

I do not see anywhere in your response that justifies a North American woman walking directly in front----

of playing professional musicians-serenading a public restaurant--for which they had permission and remember---it was NOT on her personal property

nothing you say, explains her deliberately interrupting their performance---by striding in front of them ---with her fingers stuck in her ears---and an annoyed look on her face. Horribly rude.

which initiated this post.

There are a MILLION ways she could have handled that, but not only did she feel she was entitled, she also knew, there would be no consequence because her treatment of them showed-- they were of no consequence.

THAT--is gringo-bashing?

Oh, please.

-and I am glad --I called her out on it.

That has nothing whatsoever to do with "pandering to the locals" or "saving the children" which is disturbing arrogant assertion given the poverty--and the fact, locals ARE Guatemala.

If you feel that way, what are you doing here? You are in their country. as a guest--not royalty. Your unfortunate values sadly,underscore the entire point of this post.

But for the sake of agreeing with the jist--if not the energy of your post--let's say I'm here to indulge myself--and have a good time--and let's say, I am not necessarily always in the head-space to be with locals although to me that is part of the wonderful Guate experience-

(I find the subculture of the drunken guitar-playing backpacker surfer-dude crowd abhorrent, I could just go to Malibu if that's what I wanted)

-but let's say those things are true---and let's say that I am not compelled to give money to the children or those who beg--and let's say, I'm not inspired to chat with the Guatemalans or the indigenous peoples.

All I want to do is go to the nice restaurants, hike the volcanoes, go to the beaches,get an inexpensive lengthy hot stone massage, sit by the lake ,visit the different pueblos,observe the scenery, maybe buy a Guate-Ever t-shirt, and take my photographs---

There's nothing wrong with that,

And, what does that have to do with being unkind, demanding and entitled?.

To take it out of context and say there are rude people everywhere--is not addressing the issue ---that there is a rising dominant sub culture emerging of these entitled individuals that drive the dynamic of Guate--or at least Antigua, and Pana.

It is possible, to indulge oneself, stick to your boundaries AND behave like a decent human being..they are not mutually exclusive.

It's basic human being to human being respect and courtesy.

For example, there is a vast difference between wanting good service and expecting the Guatemalan to be servile--subservient and treating the poor as non-human beings instead of simply saying -no thank you --

I'm a gringa and have my share of rude treatment on numerous occasions from Guatemaltecos --who tried to double my fares, or recently my food, and have told me--with anger and resentment

"You're an American--this is nothing for you"

--and you know why?

Because they had been treated like ---nothing-- from the rude treatment of Americans like that fingers-in-her -ears-girl.

It does not just get me personally mad--but those attitudes DO make a difference--to the Guatemalans who keenly observe even,if they do not directly address this in the moment and that does contribute to the health (or detriment) of the emotional economy of the country.

If North Americans continue---these attitudes with the impunity--they feel they deserve--and the resentments continue to mount---believe me, there will be more of rebellion than trying to raise fares

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Shamus
  4/10/2016 11:47 EST

I have traveled all over the world many times and being an American nothing irks me more that arrogant people!! I myself have squared away others many times. Do we not live on the same planet? Some people had bad upbringing.

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kgriff
  4/10/2016 18:10 EST

I agree with you about this foreigner. What she did was rude and arrogant. Thank you for calling her out.

There are rude people all over the world. Some are not even foreigners. For every instance of a bad foreigner, there is an instance of a bad local. Guatemala is no different. However, I choose to focus on those that welcome me here because they are the ones worth my energy.

However, I don't agree with the reply which stated we should give to the children who beg in the streets and the parks. By doing so, we are reinforcing the belief their parents have that school is not important and that it's more important for the children to be working instead of learning. The children grow up with the same belief and the cycle is perpetuated. When does it end?

Also, if I'm at an eating establishment and someone comes up to me asking for money, I generally won't give because I feel it's rude. It doesn't matter if it's a child or not, it's still rude. Then, when I say no, they insist I must give them something. Seriously?

And before anyone says that I'm rude for not giving, don't. You have no idea what, how much, or to whom I give while being a permanent resident here.

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DRThomas
  4/10/2016 18:26 EST

One afternoon I was having lunch at Donde Monica (4ta Avenida con el Callejón de las Animas) when about four kids approached. They said they were hungry, I invited them to lunch. They made such a disturbance that I had to ask them to pipe down and behave. After a few minutes, they left. I went to their table and saw they had left a mess, eatiing only the meat on their plates. A real class act. They had fooled a foreigner. -- In Panajachel recently a shoeshine boy asked for food. I handed him a menu and told him to order. No, he said, he preferred another restaurant down the street. I guess he wasn't as hungry as I thought. -- This is not a perfect world and neither are the people in it.

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Panabud
  4/11/2016 14:39 EST

Apekzp: mind your own business and get a life. It's really that simple. You are not in a position of authority to judge others and certainly not me. No one needs to explain or justify anything to you. We all answer to a higher authority. So let it go.

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bajasur
  4/11/2016 16:07 EST

Panabud, do you still live in Panama? Have you ever lived there or any place else in CA? What makes you an authority on Guatemala?

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Normando
  4/11/2016 16:36 EST

Panhandlers are on the street corners in USA and Canada... YOU GIVE - YOU ENCOURAGE!
The restaurant owners DO NOT WANT them in the establishments! PERIOD!
AWAY from the restaurant you can do what you want to - BUT act like a civilized person and don't give food or leftovers to the beggars!! or as they say in spanish: "Demostra su cultura"!

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:47 EST

Friends--the whole concept about whether or not to give to those who beg, is personal choice. I respect that.

I rather like the post that said Give responsibly. But this is not what the post is about.

It was about observing rude treatment which extends to all class of Guatemalans--however, the working class and beggars seem to bear the brunt of it.

It does NOT mean because of this one must give at any point in time and I apologize if that is what I implied.

I just don't think you have to be mean about it--that's all unless there is aggression.


I find Panabud's rhetoric and verbiage with regard ot Guatemalans disturbing --and unkind, and the --"get a life", retort--directed at me is juvenile---because he did have a point, a kind of moronic one to be sure--but a valid point.



The social strata

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:47 EST

Friends--the whole concept about whether or not to give to those who beg, is personal choice. I respect that.

I rather like the post that said Give responsibly. But this is not what the post is about.

It was about observing rude treatment which extends to all class of Guatemalans--however, the working class and beggars seem to bear the brunt of it.

It does NOT mean because of this one must give at any point in time and I apologize if that is what I implied.

I just don't think you have to be mean about it--that's all unless there is aggression.


I find Panabud's rhetoric and verbiage with regard ot Guatemalans disturbing --and unkind, and the --"get a life", retort--directed at me is juvenile---because he did have a point, a kind of moronic one to be sure--but a valid point.



The social strata

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:47 EST

Friends--the whole concept about whether or not to give to those who beg, is personal choice. I respect that.

I rather like the post that said Give responsibly. But this is not what the post is about.

It was about observing rude treatment which extends to all class of Guatemalans--however, the working class and beggars seem to bear the brunt of it.

It does NOT mean because of this one must give at any point in time and I apologize if that is what I implied.

I just don't think you have to be mean about it--that's all unless there is aggression.


I find Panabud's rhetoric and verbiage with regard ot Guatemalans disturbing --and unkind, and the --"get a life", retort--directed at me is juvenile---because he did have a point, a kind of moronic one to be sure--but a valid point.



The social strata

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:47 EST

Friends--the whole concept about whether or not to give to those who beg, is personal choice. I respect that.

I rather like the post that said Give responsibly. But this is not what the post is about.

It was about observing rude treatment which extends to all class of Guatemalans--however, the working class and beggars seem to bear the brunt of it.

It does NOT mean because of this one must give at any point in time and I apologize if that is what I implied.

I just don't think you have to be mean about it--that's all unless there is aggression.


I find Panabud's rhetoric and verbiage with regard ot Guatemalans disturbing --and unkind, and the --"get a life", retort--directed at me is juvenile---because he did have a point, a kind of moronic one to be sure--but a valid point.



The social strata

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:47 EST

Friends--the whole concept about whether or not to give to those who beg, is personal choice. I respect that.

I rather like the post that said Give responsibly. But this is not what the post is about.

It was about observing rude treatment which extends to all class of Guatemalans--however, the working class and beggars seem to bear the brunt of it.

It does NOT mean because of this one must give at any point in time and I apologize if that is what I implied.

I just don't think you have to be mean about it--that's all unless there is aggression.


I find Panabud's rhetoric and verbiage with regard ot Guatemalans disturbing --and unkind, and the --"get a life", retort--directed at me is juvenile---because he did have a point, a kind of moronic one to be sure--but a valid point.



The social strata

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apekzp
  4/14/2016 15:59 EST

Sorry--do not know why that posted four times--especially as I was not finished!

Panabud's point about the right to be in Guatemala and not hang out with people etc etc-----

is valid and he's right--that idea alone, does not warrant judgement.

But I find his tone and rhetoric about Guatemalans distasteful---and that's the sad culture of tourism in Guatemala today.

The social strata used to be
Wealth Ladinos
Indigneous
Garifuna

And NOW---it is

(1) American-European backpacker/misionaries
/anthroplogists

(2)Wealthy Ladinos

(3) Indigneous

(4) Garifuna

---Yes-that's RIGHT.

North Americans/Europeans are now the Guatemalan Elite. Antigua exists to cater to these people....and their entitled attitudes ----------suck.

It's going to come right back to them.

So, I do not have to do anything.

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Donaldjohanna
  10/16/2016 01:39 EST

I lived there for 2 years and the turists are hateful and racist.

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Rodrigo1974
  12/23/2016 10:58 EST

cheepers, all of us seem to be holier than thou and want the whole world to know it, now don't we??!!

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