Visiting

Daily writing experience - day 68

Visiting

As we’ve visited different places within Guatemala, I keep getting asked “¿de donde nos visita?” or “where are you visiting us from?”

I kept noticing the question. I’m pretty curious, so that’s what I thought it was about. However, that assumption didn’t seem correct.

A few days ago a new story emerged. The folks asking me were trying to place my origin for very practical reasons. Would I be offered local or tourist pricing?

My husband is clearly not a local, so he’s immediately offered the tourist pricing. And I clearly look like a local, speak like a local, but don’t necessarily act like a local which stands out.

There are so many hierarchical nuances in the way people are addressed. I’ve been noticing how at restaurants where locals are ordering there’s a clear distinction between the person who is ordering and the person who is serving.

I’m very uncomfortable with continuing that model. So I’ve been ordering without the hierarchical nuances. It’s gotten me double takes, surprised looks, and I’ve even been “corrected” by having my requests repeated in a hierarchical way.

I’m aware that we’re all humans. And I no longer need/want/desire to “put others in their place” in order to feel good about myself. My self-confidence lives inside me now. And I’ve been surprised at how empowering it feels to meet others from a place of abundant self-compassion.

Are you aware of hierarchical interactions in your life?