New Board Feature: Ask the Mexican

[hemi68charger]

Here in Houston, we have a LOT of problems with youngsters not speaking English, hence causing the school system to create a duplicate set of classrooms to teach these children (get them started) in Spanish. More often times than not, their parents are 1st generation-across-the-border individuals, legal or not (that's a whole other can of worms).

How come there seems to be a prevailing lack of desire on the part the parents to learn English, and hence pass that language skill onto their children? I think it is a BIG waste of tax dollars in such duplication of academic resources. That is why I moved out of the Houston/Spring Branch school district. I didn't want my tax dollars going to a program in which administrators "hoped", by grade 3, all the children would be integrated into a single classroom of English-teaching environment.

Thanks Ponch....

[Kern Dog]

I have worked in construction for 25 years. When I started, there were very few guys around that were not white. Over time, the Latinos have moved in as white guys have retired or decided to get out and into management or some other type of work. I stick with it though, since I love the work. I have ZERO problems with the vast majority of the Mexican/Guatamalen/Honduran, etc guys EXCEPT those that make no effort to learn English. I am speaking of basic conversational stuff, not complex quantum physics. They severely limit themselves by being either too proud or too lazy to learn it. There are some things that you just can't explain by wiggling your hands around, you need verbal communication. These guys may not understand that by refusing to speak the language of this country, they come across as arrogant, as if they are above speaking another language.

[skip68]

They understand more than you know.   

[TK73]

Surprised the hell outta me how fast people learn English when they figured out my Department might be sending them a check...

[skip68]

Ponch, one more question.    
If a Mexican and a white guy both get on the same train going from California to Montana, will the white guy still be recognized as getting there first even if he's sitting in the last car and the Mexicans sitting in the front?      

Thanks Ponch.    

[dkn1997]

Surprised the hell outta me how fast people learn English when they figured out my Department might be sending them a check...

Lol, same thing here at my job.  There are a few guys who act like you are postulating a theorem with simple work instructions, but when they think the paycheck is 1/1000th of an hour short, it's amazing how fast they find a way to communicate that. 

When I first started working with Latinos I put them on this pedestal, I would always say to co-oworkers and friends that nobody works like these guys, bla bla bla... over time, I learned that they are just as flawed as everyone else. If 3 of the 10 whiteys working for you suck, then pretty much 3 of the 10 non whiteys will suck too.  Oh well, maybe I can find another ethnic group to worship lol. 

[Kern Dog]

People are people. Once they see what they can get "away" with, their work ethic can change.

[Fred]

Why do the Mexican's make those crazy long pointed cowboy boots and wear them?

[Ponch ®]

Here in Houston, we have a LOT of problems with youngsters not speaking English, hence causing the school system to create a duplicate set of classrooms to teach these children (get them started) in Spanish. More often times than not, their parents are 1st generation-across-the-border individuals, legal or not (that's a whole other can of worms).

How come there seems to be a prevailing lack of desire on the part the parents to learn English, and hence pass that language skill onto their children? I think it is a BIG waste of tax dollars in such duplication of academic resources. That is why I moved out of the Houston/Spring Branch school district. I didn't want my tax dollars going to a program in which administrators "hoped", by grade 3, all the children would be integrated into a single classroom of English-teaching environment.

Thanks Ponch....

Great question. Already answered it.  I will agree with you that bilingual and/or classes in spanish are a huge waste money and resources. IMHO nothing works better than total immersion. The problem is that adults think like adults - a kid can and will pick up any language within months.

Why do the Mexican's make those crazy long pointed cowboy boots and wear them?

This will answer your question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GomMl7z-v5c   

[Ghoste]

When they have the big shootouts in places like Reynosa between the army and the drug cartels, do the average Mexicans accept this as a way of life because the cartels are so powerful or do they support the army and hope the cartels go away?  Do they blame the US for the cartels?  Do they support the cartels for the income they bring?  Are the army and government and police as corrupt as we are led to believe?

[Old Moparz]

Ponch,

Americans are lucky to have all kinds of restaurant choices in America from all different ethnic backgrounds. It makes for some really good dining. If Americans want something specific, like food from Mexico, we call it Mexican food & go to the local Mexican restaurant. Same goes for food from China, it's Chinese food, food from Greece is Greek food, food from England is called inedible, & food from Cuba, is called Cuban food.

But.....

What do Mexican's call Mexican food made in America?  

[nvrbdn]

im getting ready to have a party and invite several friends over. i have a friend that is mexican. i will call him rene (since thats his name) would it be proper to ask him to come early and get the yard ready before the other guests get there?

[Old Moparz]

im getting ready to have a party and invite several friends over. i have a friend that is mexican. i will call him rene (since thats his name) would it be proper to ask him to come early and get the yard ready before the other guests get there?

  Wow!....that was...... well, funny.   

[skip68]

Hey Ponch, I, I mean my friend is having identity issues and is thinking about becoming Mexican.   I, ....I mean my friend is a white guy but he wants to change his race.   Is this possible??   How much does it cost?    
Thanks, Chuck aka Carlos .......   

[Fred]

Why do the Mexican's make those crazy long pointed cowboy boots and wear them?

This will answer your question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GomMl7z-v5c   
[/quote]


Wow!  that was quite an interesting video. I didn't think it was possible to boot scoot in them but it is. (more or less)

[chargermike]

ponch this is cool and funny. half of my family is mexican. so i can ask them but just one question.....how come mexicans have 5 kids and a wife and your family car is a F-150. .JUST WONDERING.

[Ponch ®]

When they have the big shootouts in places like Reynosa between the army and the drug cartels, do the average Mexicans accept this as a way of life because the cartels are so powerful or do they support the army and hope the cartels go away?  Do they blame the US for the cartels?  Do they support the cartels for the income they bring?  Are the army and government and police as corrupt as we are led to believe?

I think that they accept it as a way of life but don't necessarily like it. It just what it is. Ideally they would want the cartels to go away, but as you alluded, there is too much corruption for the people to have much faith in the authorities. One of the worst and most powerful cartels right now is made up of former elite army anti-drug units (American trained, BTW). On the other hand, just like in most countries and parts that are affected by poverty and hardship, sometimes the bad guys try to curry favor with the regular folks by building housing projects, schools, bringing food, etc and thus make themselves look like Robin Hoods of sorts. Just like the aveage American, the average Mexican simply isn't informed enough to know any better.

What do Mexican's call Mexican food made in America?  

"inedible"  

Hey Ponch, I, I mean my friend is having identity issues and is thinking about becoming Mexican.   I, ....I mean my friend is a white guy but he wants to change his race.   Is this possible??   How much does it cost?  
Thanks, Chuck aka Carlos .......    

I don't know how much it costs a white person to become mexican, but I know it costs a Mexican about $500 and bus fare to Downtown LA to become an American..

ponch this is cool and funny. half of my family is mexican. so i can ask them but just one question.....how come mexicans have 5 kids and a wife and your family car is a F-150. .JUST WONDERING.

Because sometimes the family car is also the work car. So when you gotta take the family somewhere, you take all the landscaping equipment out and throw the kids in there.

[chargermike]

perfect answer. lol. keep the fun rollin.

[nvrbdn]

ha ha my buddy rene says the same thing about the food. he takes me to this authenic mexican food grocery with a small restaurant in the back. man that stuff is great. those buritos we get are amazing. nothing like taco bell.

[Ponch ®]

ha ha my buddy rene says the same thing about the food. he takes me to this authenic mexican food grocery with a small restaurant in the back. man that stuff is great. those buritos we get are amazing. nothing like taco bell.

Did you know burritos aren't really "Mexican"? They were invented over here.

[nvrbdn]

is that right. wow didnt know that. i know the tacos we get there are just flat and have stuff all sprinkled on them and you fold em up to eat them.

[Ponch ®]

is that right. wow didnt know that. i know the tacos we get there are just flat and have stuff all sprinkled on them and you fold em up to eat them.

yep...those sound like legit tacos.Sprinkle onion, cilantro, salsa, and lime and down them. None of that sour cream / cheese / guacamole nonsense. The more minimalistic, the better.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Why the F*** does almost every mexican I see driving a car have at least one of the follow on the car or themselves:

1. COWBOY HAT
2. "Hecho en Mexico" sticker
3. Dents
4. Chrome crap you buy at AutoZone? (fake vents, chrome stickers, door edge guards)
5. Mexican Flag sticker


I understand the pride of being from another country (my family hails from Italy) so I understand but if you're so damn proud why the hell don't they go back? I being Italian do not fly an Italian flag and speak Italian everywhere I go.  I speak english and fly and American flag.


Speaking of Italy - why the hell did Mexico take the Italian flag and put a seagull with a piece of trash in its mouth on it?

[nvrbdn]

i know this is ask the mexican, but a twist to ask the italian (politically correct). my daughter spent a couple years in italy and said that families all live together with several generations so if you see a car on the side of the road with news papers in the windows, they are having sex cuz there is no privacy at home. then when you have a fender bender the people just wave at each other and go on if no one is hurt?

[Fred]

i know this is ask the mexican, but a twist to ask the italian (politically correct). my daughter spent a couple years in italy and said that families all live together with several generations so if you see a car on the side of the road with news papers in the windows, they are having sex cuz there is no privacy at home. then when you have a fender bender the people just wave at each other and go on if no one is hurt?

Hey Jim.......are you waiting for an Italian to answer you or can anyone chime in?