Slow to Adjust - Culture Clashes in Paraguay

When you live in another country you learn a lot about yourself because you learn first hand how different cultures can be and how you handle yourself when put in awkward situation when those cultures clashed. After having lived in Paraguay for over two years I have become pretty much accustomed to almost all things regarding Paraguayan culture. However, there were several things that were really hard for me to get used to and that I still struggle with today. I'm not saying these things are bad by any means, just that they are wildly different then the United States.

"Adios" - anyone who has taken any level of Spanish class, and honestly even if you haven't, knows what the word adios means. It means goodbye, right? Well in Paraguay it doesn't. When you are in a group of people and you decide to leave if you say adios, you might get a weird look. Instead you say chau. Adios is reserved for a passing greeting, by that I mean, when you are walking down the street and you pass someone you know, or even someone you don't know, you say adios. It is very similiar to our head nod, awkward smile when you make eye contact, or the "hey, what's up" that has no meaning behind it and expects no response. 

Double Kiss - In the United States when you walk into a room, or come to someones house or anything like that, you usually just say hello, maybe shake their hand or give them a hug depending how well you know them. In Paraguay, as a girl I am expected to give a double cheek kiss, to everyone in the room. It is considered rude if you don't. Men can shake hands, but if their is a woman involved a double kiss is usually expected.

Opposite Seasons - Being that Paraguay is in the southern hemisphere its seasons are opposite of the United States. When it is summer here it is winter there. That has been really confusing for body, that for the first 23 years of its life was used to cold Christmases and a relatively warm birthday (May 22). But, my past two Christmases have been spent here, in hot and humid weather. Also anytime the weather here starts to get chilly I want to start watching Halloween movies ... in June.

Yes means Yes, maybe and no - Many times as a Peace Corps Volunteer I would plan a meeting and invite over 30 people and they would all say yes, they were coming. The day of the meeting only 10 would show up. I later learned that this is normal, most Paraguayans will always say yes, even if they only mean maybe or no. They don't want to hurt your feelings.

Bluntness - I know this seems exact opposite to what I just said. But, what can I say. In some ways Paraguayans are are very blunt. For instance, I can't tell you how many times someone has told me that I look fatter today. They aren't trying to be rude (I don't think) its just normal to them.

Lunch - In Paraguay, as well as most Latin countries, lunch is the biggest meal of the day; and because of that the other meals, breakfast and dinner, are a lot smaller. I grew up with dinner being the biggest meal of the day, so it was a change.

Drinks during meals - In Paraguay, they do not drink while they are eating. They wait until they are done to drink a glass of water or soda. I never knew this was a problem for me until I came here. Let me just say, I need something to drink while I'm eating.

Clapping - When you arrive at someones house instead of ringing a doorbell or knocking on the door, you clap. This was hard for me to get used to, but I once I did I embraced it. Its fun.