Carol Schmidt
Oct 11, 2003, 10:42 PM
Post #1 of 15
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I mentioned in my posts on a related thread that some people think gringas (and maybe gringos too) should not wear shorts in Mexico, even though many Mexican men and a growing number of women also wear shorts during the hot season.
The number of Mexicans in shorts in public undoubtedly differs from place to place--it would probably be far less likely in a small rural town than in a city known as a tourist attraction for U.S. and Canadian visitors. Jennifer Rose suggested that this topic perhaps deserved a new thread of its own, even though it has been discussed on MexConnect before.
I definitely wear shorts in San Miguel de Allende, though I wouldn't do it to a church service or a business function, the same kinds of places and events I wouldn't wear shorts to in the U.S. either.
I have never felt uncomfortable in shorts here, though I have heard that there is one older U.S. male here who accosts gringas in shorts on the street and tells them they shouldn't be dressed so immodestly. He probably hates shorts on women in the U.S. as well. Those gringas who won't wear shorts in Mexico may also be ones who wouldn't wear shorts in the U.S. either, for whatever reasons.
My partner and I often watch a young Mexican woman walk by in the shortest of miniskirts and the tightest of navel-bearing, cleavage-revealing blouses and the highest of stiletto heels, and we say, "At least she's not wearing shorts!"
This question ties into the other thread on whether language transfers values, whether a communication in English in Mexico transmits U.S. values as well as the bare-bones message--the connotations of words as well as the denotations. Add the attitude and body language of the person who is talking and you have far more than words.
The very appearance and presence of a gringo in Mexico always communicates a message, and the complexities and possibilities of that message are possibly infinite. Should cultures even intermix, especially when one is less powerful and/or endangered, since the very intermixing will cause change, in both cultures, actually.
When a remote tribe in the Rain Forest is studied even by inconspicuous, respectful scientists from an "advanced" culture, that tribe is changed.
And should that tribe be changed, particularly if it has practices we "civilized" ones find immoral or unhealthy, like child marriages and wife beating and lack of sanitation? Are we allowing a proud civilization to continue if we stay away, or are we instead dooming innocent people to early death and violence by not introducing at least some aspects of our culture?
In the same way, should gringas wear long skirts even when it's 100 F. out, ensuring that all women forever more will be trapped in uncomfortable, binding clothing when there are freer alternatives? Should we not give a damn and just wear what we please, even if some people in Mexico may find shorts offensive? Should we encourage the younger generation which seems more likely to wear shorts or side with the older generation which frowns on it?
Should we walk like a peasant woman down the street, face down, rebozo over our faces, never daring to speak up, so as not to be offensive to some Mexicans, or should we be a role model for Mexican women by striding proudly and freely, speaking up, taking stands, even if some Mexicans find that offensive?
As I recall, there was considerable support on MexConnect the last time this issue was discussed for the idea that gringas should not wear shorts in public. It's a new MexConnect--what does this forum think now?
Carol Schmidt
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