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Hound Dog

Apr 25, 2009, 12:05 PM

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On Passing

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This comment is not aimed at my friend Georgia or anyone else discussing ways to appear to be that which they are not which posts were certainly made in good humor and with tongue in cheek. Rather, I am writing to those who may think they can blend in in any foreign environment.

What could be more absurd that people trying to pass for that which they are not? Folks who obsess over "passing" become clowns prancing about in underwear that doesn´t fit. I´ve been married in a French family for almost 40 years and am treated with utmost respect and love by my French family by marriage but I will never be French nor do I desire to so be. My wife is French but spent the majority of the years of her life in the United States or Mexico. Whether she is in France or the U.S. or Mexico or Germany or Thailand or anyplace in the world she is what she is. To pretend to be otherwise would make her a buffoon subject to ridicule by locals as soon as her back was turned.

In Chiapas, we get immense pleasure out of watching the local indigenous people mocking and laughing at outsiders or local mestizos who try to imitate them.

Just be what you are wherever you go, folks. Try to respect local customs and idiosyncracies and languages and you will do fine. Try to imitate and you will become a subject of disdain and mockery.

Try to look like a sophisticated lady about town in Mexico City and you may come off looking like a French whore working the streets of Montmartre.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Apr 25, 2009, 12:07 PM)

mevale

Apr 25, 2009, 12:26 PM

Post #2 of 24 (7414 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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In Chiapas, we get immense pleasure out of watching the local indigenous people mocking and laughing at outsiders or local mestizos who try to imitate them.

And I receive even more pleasure from reading your posts.

Gringal

Apr 25, 2009, 12:36 PM

Post #3 of 24 (7412 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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Good post, dawg.

And: "Wherever you go, there you are" works for most things.

chinagringo

Apr 25, 2009, 1:24 PM

Post #4 of 24 (7402 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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I figure if I can pass for myself - I am having a good day!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

La Isla

Apr 25, 2009, 2:20 PM

Post #5 of 24 (7384 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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In Chiapas, we get immense pleasure out of watching the local indigenous people mocking and laughing at outsiders or local mestizos who try to imitate them.

Some examples, please, Hound Dog, of how outsiders or local mestizos try to imitate the local indigenous people. Surely it must go beyond wearing a piece of hand-crafted indigenous apparel. As always, I look forward to reading your response!

yucatandreamer

Apr 25, 2009, 2:52 PM

Post #6 of 24 (7376 views)

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Re: [La Isla] On Passing

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It would be a cold day in hell before I would try to wear one of those fuzzy wool skirts. I have no idea how they even stay on.

Hound Dog

Apr 26, 2009, 10:21 AM

Post #7 of 24 (7303 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] On Passing

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It would be a cold day in hell before I would try to wear one of those fuzzy wool skirts. I have no idea how they even stay on.

Well, I tell you what, YucatanDreamer:

The folks from Chamula wear those "fuzzy" wool skirts everywhere and find them comfortable and a few of them are good friends of ours. It seems to me inappropriate to belittle the way others not familiar to you decide to clothe themselves. The important thing is to have clothes at all even clothes you find rustic in nature.

yucatandreamer

Apr 26, 2009, 11:19 AM

Post #8 of 24 (7283 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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I am so sorry you made an ass-umption that I was belittling your Chamulan friends. I thought we were discussing looking like fools trying to pass by dressing up in native costume. I would definately look like a fool in a fuzzy wool wrap around skirt. I have no idea how the women who sell their wares here in Merida can stand it. I also do not dress in ceremonial Yucatecan huipiles, or beaded leather fringed suits, cheongsams, grass skirts or fireman outfits. I do have the utmost respect for all of those people but refrain from wearing their clothes.

Hound Dog

Apr 26, 2009, 12:26 PM

Post #9 of 24 (7257 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] On Passing

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I am so sorry you made an ass-umption that I was belittling your Chamulan friends.

Sorry, YD, it was not my intention to criticize you. I find you an amusing and interesting contributor to these forums. I am also a big fan of The Yucatan so regret that my remarks may have offended you.

Now, Texans and the way they dress and talk and eat. That´s funny.

yucatandreamer

Apr 26, 2009, 2:54 PM

Post #10 of 24 (7234 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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My husband seems to find the idea of my dressing up in a fireman outfit rather fetching. I may have to rethink that one and buy myself some rubberized overalls.

Georgia

Apr 28, 2009, 2:44 PM

Post #11 of 24 (7100 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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Hound Dog, do you promise that if I try to dress like a sophisticaed lady from Mexico City that I would be mistaken for a French whore working the streets of Montmartre? This has possibilities. Retirement can sometimes make one feel .... well ... oldish.

Hound Dog

Apr 28, 2009, 2:58 PM

Post #12 of 24 (7092 views)

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Re: [Georgia] On Passing

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Well, I tell you what Georgia. If you show up on Saint Denis in Paris dressed like a French whore and YD shows up as a "fireperson" in those sexy rubber longjohns, I am sunk. Who´s bringing the hose?

morgaine7

Apr 28, 2009, 3:05 PM

Post #13 of 24 (7088 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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I'll take the risk if I can wear bright green tights like Shirley MacLaine's in Irma La Douce.

Kate

PS - I skipped this thread for days thinking it would be some sort of depressing riff about death.

Hound Dog

Apr 28, 2009, 3:15 PM

Post #14 of 24 (7084 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] On Passing

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I skipped this thread for days thinking it would be some sort of depressing riff about death.

What, Morgaine, could be more life affiming that death. I´m sorry if you find that depressing.

morgaine7

Apr 28, 2009, 3:36 PM

Post #15 of 24 (7078 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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Well, maybe, but you gotta be in the mood for it. I'm in a fireman's overalls and green tights mood right now, so this works out perfectly.

Kate

Georgia

Apr 28, 2009, 4:09 PM

Post #16 of 24 (7069 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] On Passing

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Well, I'm wearing what my daughter calls my "hot" black high heels, my full eyemakeup, touched up roots, manicure, fragrance, and best city dress with my Spanx underneath it all. I must say the gentlefolk of El Chante are underwhelmed. They thought someone had passed and I was going to a funeral.

morgaine7

Apr 28, 2009, 6:13 PM

Post #17 of 24 (7048 views)

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Re: [Georgia] On Passing

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Shorts, tie-dyed tank top, and flipflops here. I hasten to add that these are garden-watering duds, not street gear, but it hit 96 here this afternoon. In full makeup I'd look like a raccoon who'd bought the farm.

Kate

esperanza

Apr 28, 2009, 6:48 PM

Post #18 of 24 (7041 views)

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Re: [Georgia] On Passing

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Do I need to worry about what is a Spanx? Sounds like it goes right along with the green tights and fireman togs.

You people are kinky.

<okay, what's a spanx, georgia?>

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Georgia

Apr 28, 2009, 7:08 PM

Post #19 of 24 (7038 views)

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Re: [esperanza] On Passing

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Spanx are a reincarnation of the Playtex living girdle -- without the living part. Look 'em up on the internet. And I thought we got rid of those things in the 60s. In spite of all this, I actually do have a pair. Embarrassing.

morgaine7

Apr 28, 2009, 7:23 PM

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Re: [esperanza] On Passing

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Quote

<okay, what's a spanx, georgia?>

Thanks for asking. I thought it was just me and my dirty mind!

Kate

Camille

Apr 28, 2009, 9:38 PM

Post #21 of 24 (7009 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] On Passing

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Yes, Spanx were made huge (in sales, not sizes!) On Oprah.....I haven't actually seen them, but they are really, really big in the USA! Again, sales-wise.....
I don't know the difference between Spanks and pantyhose, but then I don't know how to use an ipod, so you see I am techchallenged!

DavidMcL

Apr 28, 2009, 11:50 PM

Post #22 of 24 (6998 views)

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Re: [Camille] Getting on back to Mexico . . .

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Pretty wide drifting going on here - back to Mexico please.

David
David McL
WebJefe

brooklyn

May 9, 2009, 8:49 AM

Post #23 of 24 (6861 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] On Passing

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This reminds me of my mother-in-law who went for a cruise with her husband, my father-in-law. She came back telling us that everyone thought she was her husband's French mistress, or some sort of rubbish (she doesn't speak French). We didn't have the heart to tell her that she looked like the elderly wife of a retired dentist, which is just what she was - not that there's anything wrong with that.

(This post was edited by brooklyn on May 9, 2009, 8:51 AM)

Mereja

May 9, 2009, 10:43 PM

Post #24 of 24 (6790 views)

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Re: [brooklyn] On Passing

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I wonder if my husband can now pass as a gringo. He went to the store the other day, here in the US, he had on his sweat pants and cowboy boots. Another time he went with shorts and cowboy boots. Needless to say, my 18 year old daughter did not want to be seen with him.