Cultural Attitude or Just something to get used to?
Submitted by nicagurleo on Thu, 2011/08/25 - 18:34.
Hello, This is my first time posting in the forums. I have had the opportunity to visit Nica on many occasions over the past 2 years and will be returning for a quick visit this fall. Currently, I am contemplating moving there and working for a private American educational institution that is actually highly employed by Nicaraguans. I would be one of the few Americans there, and would actually be replacing some older Americans that will probably retire prior to my move.
During my visits to Nicaragua I have become good friends with some Nicaraguans. They are genuinely wonderful people and are great friends. They have expressed sincere excitement at my possible move, have even offered to help me get answers to certain questions, put me in touch with other American expats, and help me in any way. At first I didn’t want to overburden them, but they kept insisting that they help me. So, a few months ago I asked them just a few basic questions (before finding this website) and they were eager and insistent to help me with anything I would need. A month went by…..no answers……2 months went by no answers. But, we would talk weekly,catch up on Facebook, or talk on the phone about everything except any details or answers to questions. I didn't want to pester them or appear as an ugly american. They have been so giving and hospitable to me during my time in Nicaragua. After 2 months of no answers, I followed up with a basic quick email. They quickly responded and said not to worry and that they were going to get me my answers that week (they also are supposed to be helping me with the details of a trip I am making this fall). Now it is almost a month later and still no answers and no details. I haven't been able to talk to them on the phone or skype this month as I just started back to teaching.
I realize that I could sound totally un-connected to the “real” Nicaraguan when I state this, but is this a common occurrance in Nicaragua or is this just an individual personality of a person/family? In my times in Nicaragua I have found that things move slower, but when I am there my friends are really helpful. Since I hope to one day soon be a local I am just working out some of the cultural differences and quirks. I am not upset or frustrated, I am just wondering if this is something I just need to adjust to or it is time consider their answers to my questions and their help unreliable? I figure that some of you that are already living there could shed some light on this topic.
Any advice is appreciated!! Muchos gracias!
It's a cultural thing
I think? I have Nica freinds that I keep in touch with, but when I ask them direct questions on certain subjects, even as simple as do you see an increase in this or that? The question is never anwered, no matter how many times or how I ask it. But if I was face to face with them I know they would answer the question.
I think it's kind of like when you ask directions, yes you can get good directions at times and it always needs to be tested. But often if they don't know the answer to save face you will be told something, it may lead you on a wild goose chase. I also found that my friends although often have decent advise for me, they aren't all that informed at times. So the information they may give me, still has to be proven.
I also found my Nica freinds were not all that helpful with pricing of things. OK to a point, but I would often bring back something in which I asked them forehand what I should pay? Only to have them ask me how I bought what I did so cheaply. A wierd comment from someone born and raised in Nicaragua. You not getting your direct answers from your nica freinds also might go into thier view of you as a usano. What I mean by that is that they have expections of you that you didn't even know they had of you. Meaning that they think your going to want to live different than them coming from the north. So they don't know how to answer your question even though you think it's a pretty simple question. Example: I bought a $4.00 washing machine ( wooden wash board) when my freinds saw what I had purchased they were embarassed for me and thought that my purchase was way below me. Not so much me as a person, but as a usano. It was percieved that being a usano that even if this is what I really wanted I should no be doing my laundry this way. Even though they know me well they don't really know me. So this might be part of your problem with your friends?
Getting answers to questions
I find your questions must be short and to the point and you may have to ask them several ways and then you get to pick the best answer. When emailing or texting I will ask questions in the below format:
1) How much does xxxxx cost.
2) When is xxxxxx
3) Do you know someone that can do xxxxxx (this will become multiple emails as the answer will be partially answered).
This seems to get better responses.
Frogs have it easy, they eat what bugs them.
Very true
This is also true here and is the reason I started the experiment at http://qa.a-zLiving.com. While most of what is out there right now is from me (with many questions taken from other people/places), the goal is that it can offer the quick question/answer list. Separating them from the discussions in the forums means that it is easier to find a specific answer.
That's what I love about the mañana culture.
It's totally strees-free. What's your rush, man? Food grows year 'round. Nobody goes hungry in Nicaragua, despite what the charity poster kids say in those Stateside ads. Whatever they'd tell you, your preparations won't be adequate. You have to go & see & do for yourself.
Should you decide to accept the position offered, be prepared to cross a cultural time warp, a time-space wormhole, of sorts.
Only for those who import the attitude does time = money. Here in Nicaragua (as with all of Latin America I know), time = life. And life is a party best lived outright, not planned for. Living, loving & loving living.
Did you ask someone to marry you?
Perhaps they are undecided or waiting for you to actually return before they get too excited.
Questions
There are all kinds of questions. If youŕe asking questions about immigration, working permits and law in general, you could be asking questions to the wrong people. Your friends, just don't have an answer to your questions, it is probably you, that have to ask the right question to the right people.
If you ask an specific question, I'm pretty sure that someone on this site will come forward with an answer.
Al
Not too difficult
Well…they were pretty simple questions more along the lines of the basic cost of living (ie- internet, gas, electricity). While I have been waiting for their answers I discovered this site- thankfully! The other questions were about my trip this fall about a few particular hotels. These were all basic questions – nothing about paperwork or immigration. Its ok though, I think it is just a cultural difference.
Cost of living - León
The following expenses, may vary with Cord-USD rate exchange and are based on what I'm paying for such services as of this month receipts:
Internet, wide band DSL and telephone services, are bundled together.
Internet = $ 35.00/Mo
Telephone = $ 11.00/Mo
Electricity = $ 143,00//Mo
Water = $ 2.20/Mo
Trash-garbage collection = $ 1.80/Mo
Other expenses:
Renting a room or a house, probably cost you from $ 60.00 to $ 600.00/Mo (too many variables)
Gasoline about $ 5.00/Gal. of Premium/Super. I haven't been able to find the octane rating.
LP Gas Cyl 20 #, aprox. $ 18.00
Taxi run 1-2 Km. about $ 1 or 2 USD
Hostels about $ 8.00 to 15.00/day
Hotels with a/c $ 30.00 to $80/day
Medical services and medicines are a fraction of what the cost is in the US.
Serious medical procedures and treatments, is best to have them done in the US.
Note: USD are based at a C$22.4 per dollar exchange rate
Many other items could be found by searching this site.
Good Luck
Al
Electricity cost?
$143/mo? Even when I lived in Estelí (in other words, when I had to pay for electricity) I remember paying about $30/mo and had at least one computer running 24/7. Sounds like a lot of air conditioning.
We pay the electricity for a house in San Nicolas where they let us put our "Internet repeater". This month it was C$174 or less than $8. There are lots of people there, TV, stereo, ... but no air conditioning.
RE: Electricity cost
Hola Fyl,
I'm running a 4 Bd. 3 Bath. House.
You are right the main culprit is an 18K BTUs a/c that runs 12 to 14Hrs a day/7days a week in my bedroom.
This month's receipt was C$ 3278.64 about $146.0 USD. 539 KWh were used or $0.271 per KWh.
As you know, the cost is adjusted on a variable scale, the more energy you use, the more per KWh you pay.
My understanding (need confirmation) is that the cost of electricity will go up early next year by about 38% for those who use over certain amount of KWh.
Al
follow up
From above "need confirmation" post
Titled "Brutal alza en energía" (Brutal increase in enegy), La prensa reported on 6/16/11 that the INE authorized a 41.8% increase in the cost of energy, but, it will not be effective until 1/2012. Here, www.laprensa.com.ni/2011/06/16/nacionales/63847
Al
Electricity cost
http://qa.a-zliving.com/questions/20/what-is-the-cost-of-electricity-in-... offers the whole story plus gas prices. I had a 6 bedroom, four bathroom house plus office in Estelí but, for example, a wife who liked cold showers.
Just for reference, we get about 12KWh/day from the solar panels (not now but when it isn't raining all the time) which means 360KWh/month. That was with a $12,000 investment (It would cost a lot less these days). We put $20/mo into the battery replacement fund.
For the answer to the initial question, electricity is a big variable. Ana's mother, for example, pays around $5/month. No hot water and the major appliances are a refrigerator and a TV. Lights are compact florescent.
Thank you!
Thank you so much. That is the most direct answer I have gotten yet!!
Lite bill
At our country place runs 50 -60 cords per month. In town in a small house with 6 people it runs 700-800 cords. Someday I hope to build a home office with AC, but that will be a budget buster. Electricity is much cheaper in Arizona than here, per KWH, you just don`t use as much here for heating and cooling.
``The government is clearly Marxist. The question is whether it is Karl or Groucho``
Agreed
In many cases it is the general I want to be helpful attitude that results in you not seeing an answer. In the US a more typical answer might be "gee, no clue and I am not willing to take the time to figure it out for you". Here, many people really do want to try to help but may discover the answer is not that easy to find.
Along those lines and particularly when dealing with the government, it is quite common for an answer to be only the first of many steps but you won't know that until step 1 is complete. For example, getting told you need Document X and when you return with it, getting told it needs to be certified, authenticated, stamped, ... is all so common.
That's one side of the picture. The other is, for example, how someone will always be willing to give you directions to some place—whether or not they actually know where it is.
None of this is bad but it sure is different. The good news is that if you are willing to put forth the effort you will develop the skills to work with it.
Let's All Thank Willy
Before I moved to Costa Rica (lived there two years before my move to Nicaragua) a Gringo I met there named Willy told me something that is probably the most important simple piece of advice offered to me about living in Latin America. He said:
and that..
takes a gringo..awhile to get used too
hopefully not stereotyping
I hope I am not stereotyping.....I love evertying about Nicaragua, especially our cultural differences. I just wonder if what I experienced is one. like I said, I didn't expect my friends' help. I was flattered that they cared so much and wanted to lend a hand. I am just curious if the waiting months and months for answers for things is commonplace. Thanks!
yes
Yes, it happen's a lot. Good luck with your move.
one thing i learnt..
a long time ago..be careful..asking for directions..because no one says i dont know..they will give u directions..it might not be where u want to go..but they will give u directions..
Like My Experience
in Mexico when I built my house there.
"I need a good electrician"
"My brother Jose is a great electrician and works very cheap".
Translation: My brother Jose is a drunk who has been living with us for months, doesn't work, and my wife told me if I don't get him out of the house I can forget about ever getting laid again. He knows nothing about electricity but will be happy to learn on the job on your nickel and with your materials. Just don't expect him to show up on a daily basis".
Yes
`` I am just curious if the waiting months and months for answers for things is commonplace.`` and what hurts more is when it takes years, not months!
Another tip: ``on the corner`` does not mean on the next corner. It means any corner in the area.
``The government is clearly Marxist. The question is whether it is Karl or Groucho``