r/asklatinamerica

I was told apparently you cannot distinguish where someone comes from in LATAM based on their looks. What is a phrase or behavior that instantly reveals where someone is from?

So, as someone not from LATAM, I'm curious to understand if the "culture war", as traditionally understood in the many places in Europe and North America, exists here

Stuff like sustainability vs economic growth via extraction, LGBT inclusion and policy, abortion, public vs private, welfare programs, labor rights, historical revisionism and the politicization of art and media, etc

Of course, LATAM is massive and depends on the country, and many places in LATAM are very much progressive in many areas, but I wonder if the very dynamic of "right vs left", as vague and reductive as these labels can be, on "culture wars" maps out neatly here, or if there are some things that are considered "left" here that would be "right" elsewhere, and vice versa, or if there are controvertial topics that aren't considered controvertial elsewhere or vice versa, etc

In Brazil, Havanna is basically a national store LoL

Three years ago, a Twitter user made a joke post claiming that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgian football player) had a Peruvian grandfather but sadly couldn’t play for Peru because he had already been called up by the Georgia national team.

Obviously everyone knew it was completely fake, but Peruvians football fans collectively decided to commit to the bit and build an entire backstory for Khvicha.

According to the lore, he was born in a tiny village in Chota, Cajamarca. His nicknames were “Sopa de Letras” and “Kiwicha Cajasdechela”. He grew up in poverty but eventually made it to the youth team of Deportivo Cajatambo. The club failed to recognize his talent and tried to turn him into a goalkeeper. But Khvicha refused to give up. He left his beloved Cajamarca behind and chased his dream all the way to Europe. Now, after becoming a star, he supposedly wants to play for Peru… but the real question is: which of our incredibly talented players would even be benched to make room for him?

The whole thing became even funnier because people started making TikTok edits of him with Peruvian Andean songs like Mi Linda Wawita, treating him like a hometown hero who made it out of the Andes and conquered Europe.

But honestly, the funniest part is seeing foreigners completely miss the joke and accuse Peruvians of trying to “appropriate” Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, when the entire thing is very obviously just an absurd meme.

I'm wondering if it's as much as Brazilians complain, because I feel it's a national hobby here.

Right wingers complain that the culture of the people is awful and that the people are immoral, leftists complain that the country is a reactionary shithole and that there's too much inequality. The political discourse is now just people arguing what parts of Brazil one should hate and which are fine, all the while everyone complains about crime, the government, the prices and the national football team. It has come to the point that I feel like people get actually excited when they find something new to complain about.

My friend from Colombia says that in her country there is a lot of victim blaming. For example when a young woman is unfortunately murdered or a victim of SA/abuse, they'll say she was looking for trouble and found it or she was not very smart to get into that situation etc. Here in the UK you would face strong social outrage for this. I'm curious what opinions are commonly held in your country that would turn heads abroad?

Just for fun

For me they are Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. I was raised by Argentinian woman as teachers and a beloved Auntie who lives in Brazil. And Colombia did something marvelous for Paraguay, when it seemed like we would lose our entire land in the War of The Triple Alliance they declared Paraguayans could live there. I teared up when I learned that. And my best friend lives there too. Class Act in a very dark, grim era.

As an American, I’m trying to learn more about latin america and the various cultures and history of the region. Is there one country in Latin America that seems to be well known for exporting its culture and entertainment? In essence, has a lot of soft power around the region and the world?

In my experience, Mexico tends to be a big exporter of culture and Spanish films, but i’m not sure if that’s just because I’m in the US and we’re practically neighbors.

For my quinceanera i dunno what to do since im not allowed to dance. We're doing it at my house since a venue costs too much and so my parents said there would be no space to dance which im bummed about since i already had decided who i wanted to be my damas and my chambelanes so i was wondering if there was anything i could do instead of dancing

Edit: Also does anyone have any ideas for the dress because i also dont know if theres enough space for a normal quince dress but i really want one TwT

I've been living in Guatemala for 10 years and my son (2.5) has the standard two names and two apellidos. To the dismay of many older people, we have ALWAYS called him Juanito. I decided on this firmly while he was in the womb because I don't like the sound of Juan Pedro and Juan by itself isn't socially acceptable in this country for some reason.

Anyway, he started going to a preschool and thinks he's learned his full name: Juanito (Apellido). It's adorable. If you tell him what it is, he literally does not believe you. I'm wondering though if I'm the only parent who's failed to teach her toddler his full name. All the kids I've met so far introduce themselves with their entire name, but they're usually a little older.

Who is covered by what? And how are informal workers covered?

Mention one thing common in your country that Europeans find strange or impossible to relate to.

For example a French friend of mine told me that Quebec are North Americans that just happen to speak French and there is nothing French or European about Quebec. I notice Spaniards despite dismissive comments will acknowledge that Latin Americans came from them and they share things in common. Portuguese refuse to talk to me about anything Brazil related so idk. As for me as a Brit I think the United States has a culture of its own that obviously came from British culture and just evolved. But other Brits will tell you American culture is completely different except for southern states. Same as Canada and NZ. As Latinos do you consider yourselves culturally closer to Europe (Southern Europe especially) or North America or somewhere in between?

I am planning a 10-day trip to Colombia in June. I am meeting a friend from Paraguay there and we want to see Colombia together. I would love any recommendations, advice, safety tips etc.

I know gringos in Colombia have a bad reputation so let me say straight away I'm not interested in any of that stuff.

We would like to see the mountains and the coast. I've heard good things about el eje cafetero, Bogota, Cartagena, and Santa Marta. We like cities, nature, history/architecture, food, beaches, etc. A little nightlife and dancing is fun but nothing too crazy.

Any recommendations about places to visit, good neighborhoods to stay in, getting around, etc. would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Non latinos are free to answer! But for latinos, what other Latin American people would you date other than from your own country?

I’m Mexican dating a Colombian man :) best relationship so far!