Thread: Gringo. ¿Que signífica?

Originally Posted by Thomas

I've been called "Gringo" for most of my life. I find it offensive. I don't understand why I'm referred to by my racial characteristics when I have a name, personality, dreams, sorrows, and concerns. I sure as hell don't walk down the street saying, "Good morning, Nicaraguan! How are you doing, Costa Rican?"

I heard it a lot when I was a kid living on the Mexican border. A lot. I hear it once in a while here in Costa Rica, and I heard it a few times in Southern Brazil where I lived. Yes, Brazilians use it too. I have to remind myself that in the US it's considered very bad manners to make constant references to someone's race, nationality, weight, use if eyeglasses, etc. In Latin America these references are quite common: el chinito de la esquina, mi gordito, la flaca, cuatrojos, etc. It's a cultural difference.

One night years ago a Costa Rican asked my why I objected to the term. As usual, I was told that "gringo" was not intended to be offensive. I reponded by saying that I held Costa Ricans in high regard, and I had no idea why they were offended when I called one an "hijo de p***". After all, it was said with respect and affection, and without any intention to offend. He looked at me for a few moments and said, "Now I understand."

Years ago I heard something that has stuck with me. "We don't say what we say. We say what others hear." Regardless of our intentions, if what we say is found offensive by others, maybe we should think about not using the word.

I think it all boils down to this : it depends on the tone of voice and/or purpose we use the term "gringo". I've been living for over five years in the U.S. and, I have met people whose physical outlines would certainly become a reason for many people in my turf( Honduras) to call them "gringos". By physical outlines, I mean blue or black eyes, white skin, usually blond hair..and English as a native language. And some of the people I have met think the way you do: the term is offensive to them. But others( I would say, the vast majority of those I have met up to now) do not find it that way but funny instead. To me, it is not offensive at all as long as your purpose is not evil towards the person you allude to.

Now, the other Spanish phrase you referred to(hijo de p***).. if either me or ANY person who uses it has not built up the right level of relationship allowing the use of such term with the other guy..other than being very offensive..I could guarantee that for all hell is going to break loose.

Overall, I understand your point. But I wouldn't even dare to make comparisons between the use of that phrase(hijo de p***) and the use of "gringo", nor would I use that Spanish swear when addressing someone unless a very special and/or specific level of interaction has been built up between that person and me.

To my understanding and from what I've noticed in the U.S. so far, the most common translation for that Spanish swear in English(pretty much accurate, which is "SOB") is not used in the same context(strong or not) in both languages. If I am wrong, well,.. please nicely correct me. But the Spanish swear you just referred to is quite strong.


As for the term «gringo» and its origin(as far as I know) I couldn't agree more with Vicente's and Julio Jaubert's anwers.

Best,
seeker50.

Originally Posted by seeker50

I think it all boils down to this : it depends on the tone of voice and/or purpose we use the term "gringo". I've been living for over five years in the U.S. and, I have met people whose physical outlines would certainly become a reason for many people in my turf( Honduras) to call them "gringos". By physical outlines, I mean blue or black eyes, white skin, usually blond hair..and English as a native language. And some of the people I have met think the way you do: the term is offensive to them. But others( I would say, the vast majority of those I have met up to now) do not find it that way but funny instead. To me, it is not offensive at all as long as your purpose is not evil towards the person you allude to.

Now, the other Spanish phrase you referred to(hijo de p***).. if either me or ANY person who uses it has not built up the right level of relationship allowing the use of such term with the other guy..other than being very offensive..I could guarantee that for all hell is going to break loose.

Overall, I understand your point. But I wouldn't even dare to make comparisons between the use of that phrase(hijo de p***) and the use of "gringo", nor would I use that Spanish swear when addressing someone unless a very special and/or specific level of interaction has been built up between that person and me.

To my understanding and from what I've noticed in the U.S. so far, the most common translation for that Spanish swear in English(pretty much accurate, which is "SOB") is not used in the same context(strong or not) in both languages. If I am wrong, well,.. please nicely correct me. But the Spanish swear you just referred to is quite strong.


As for the term «gringo» and its origin(as far as I know) I couldn't agree more with Vicente's and Julio Jaubert's anwers.

Best,
seeker50.

I am in complete agreement with Seeker. The vast majority of people in The U.S. do not find it offensive. I actually refer to myself as a "gringo". It is a handy way to tell people who you are. It is much easier than "Americano", "Norte Americano", "de los Estados Unidos", etc. I know when it is being used as a pejorative simply by the tone of the person's voice. It is not the word itself.

I understand why Thomas doesn't like to be called gringo but it is totally unrealistic to expect that we are going to stop using that word or stop referring to each other by race or origin. It is basic human nature to put identifiers on people. You can call it what you want but we ALL do it. We identify people in physical ways so that others will know immediately who we are talking about. "the old guy. the black guy, the fat lady, the blond girl, the rich man, the tall guy, the bald guy, the Korean man, the Mexican, the latino, the gringo, and on and on....

My experience is that nobody who did not know me ever called me gringo to my face unless I had already used to word to describe myself. In Costa Rica, in particular, the people there are extremely polite and generally call me "caballero" unless they know me.

The vast majority of people in the U.S. has not had my life experiences.

Well, sir, it's unfortunate that you so many problems with the Mexicans on the border or wherever else you have had bad experiences but if they had not called you gringo they would have called you something else, equally offensive.


Here's part of the problem. You equate gringo with citizen of the USA, right? That's not it. It's someone white. It definitely refers to your race. If you are called that excessively, I'll bet you a dollar to your doughnut you're going to get tired of it.

A white US citizen. Correct. And that is what I am. But I don't need to tell them that I am white, They can see that. I don't care that it refers to my race. I am what I am. It's no big deal. Hell, many of us celebrate our race all the time. The Irish, Germans, African Americans, Italians, Mexicans, etc., all have their "Days" and parades

Hang on. I'm not expecting it to stop. It will continue. But when people talk to me, I prefer that another word or, even better, my name be used. My name. Is that such a big sacrifice? I use their name. Is that such a big sacrifice?

Do you think "the old guy" or "the black guy" may get tired of it too?

I guess I might get tired of it if nobody ever called me by my name and always referred to me as "gringo" but that's the point. It doesn't happen. The way you state your case makes it seem more like a problem of respect. Nobody constantly calls someone gringo, old guy or black guy to their face unless they are trying to offend them or get under their skin.

It is puzzling to me that you encounter the word so often (or so it would seem) because even though I tell people I am a gringo they do not call me that. I do not hear others use the word all that much...and when they do they are referring to another white Norte Americano and always in a matter-of-fact or respectful way.

To me this discussion is similar to the one we recently had about other offensive words. Words are just words. They are offensive only if you perceive them as offensive. I am not offended by the word itself. I consider the person's intent.

Seeker said it. If we are friends you can call me an old s.o.b. or a bastard and I will know you don't intend to offend me. If I don't know you, you can call me "amigo" with a sneer or the wrong tone of voice and I will know you are trying to insult me.




What do they call you when they know you? LOL

They call me Vicente.

Saludos

Originally Posted by sarab

I think it is important to recognize that the word can have a lot of different meanings and it is interpreted differently by every person. I understand what you mean about "identifiers" Vicente, we all do it, either verbally or simply internally, though I think that it bears a different meaning for everyone and it is just as easy to ask a person's name, so is it really necessary?

Hi sarab

Of course I agree with you and Thomas that a person has the right to expect to be addressed by his or her name and not be called a word that they dislike, especially after they have let it be known that they don't like the word. That's just simple courtesy.