So, I thought when I moved to Mexico I'd have lots of crazy cultural difference type things to write about, but it really hasn't been the case. Maybe I'm a little desensitized because of all of my work travel, but I haven't felt like there have been that many things that are that different or at least not blog-worthy anyhow.Yesterday at church a couple who's been dating for quite some time cornered Alex and I and told us they'd like to speak with us in private. I thought it was kind of strange, but not that strange. We all sat down in one of the classrooms and then they told us they were getting married and that they'd like our help. I was (of course) all excited for them and shouted "Felicidades" (congratulations) probably like 5 times. They then told us that most of it was set but that they still needed some help with photos/video and music. I started blurting out all of these great suggestions..."Oh, we loved our photographer, but he's a little expensive. The guy who did the music was great, and was cheap!" Blah, blah, blah. You get the picture. In the end they said, if you can help us with the music, that'd be great. So, I was like..."of course!" and Alex said, "Let me talk to my mom and I'll get back to you later this week." (His mom had actually arranged the music for our reception.)
When we got in the car to drive home this was our conversation:
Alex: There's one thing I really don't like about Mexico.
Leslie: What's that?
Alex: Padrinos (Godparents)
Leslie: What's a padrino?
Alex: It's someone you ask to pay for your wedding, quinceanera, etc.
Leslie: What...(Leslie slowly connecting the dots)...You mean Perla and Damian weren't asking for information? They were asking us to pay for the music for the wedding?! (Which by the way...will cost minimum $500.)
Alex: Yes, why do you think the Godfather is called the Godfather? (More dot connecting...Padrino=Godfather) He pays everyone's debts and then they are "endebted" to him.
Leslie: I've never seen one Godfather movie! I thought being a godparent was something Catholic, and that it was someone you ask to take care of your kids if you die someday or something.
Alex: Nope. Not in Mexico. You're now paying for their music!
Leslie: Ugh! Seriously?
Alex: Next time you see me saying, "let me look into it" and not immediately agreeing to help, take it as a sign that there might be something you don't know or don't understand...but now you are the nicest madrina (female version of padrino) in all of Mexico!
So anyway, how's that for being culturally savy? Now I have to figure out how to get out of this one. I'm sorry...I'd like to help, but I am not paying $500 in wedding expenses for a couple I barely know and only speak to on Sundays. We're thinking that we may have Alex take their wedding photos with our new, snazzy, one-year anniversary camera and then paying someone like $100 to take the video, and call it good. Whatever we work out...I now know that I have no desire to be a mexican madrina!
9 comments:
Woah. I can't believe they'd ask someone they hardly know to just give them that much money!! Yikes, I hope you can get out of it somehow.
Not a Mexican madrina, THE Mexican madrina. I guess you'll have to make the photographer and DJ and offer they can't refuse. The Godfather also cut off the head of a horse and put it in someone's bed, so I guess you have some work to do.
Colin
that horse head on the bed is about the only thing i remember about the movie. hahaha. how about hooking up your ipod to a stereo and calling that good?
Leslie,
Here's an idea: you and Alex follow through on your offer to provide the music for their wedding - literally - as a duet, and then perform a live audition for them so they can see what it would sound like. Then, they would be the ones saying, "We'll get back to you."
Dad
At any time during your wedding did they come up to you and say something like "We come to you this day on the day of your wedding and hope that your first child will be a masculine child..."?
Good Idea David.....
we have an scape but i still thinking is a creazy idea to have padrinos, by the way those guy's are still looking for more padrinos any one of you wants to say YES? lol
I think the next sunday the church will be empty because now all members know those guy's are still looking for more padrinos.
jajajaja
is funny.
regards.
Wow! Just when you think you get a culture...great story. Good to hear an entry from the Mexico branch, by the way. When do we get to hear about Thailand?
thanks all for your suggestions, we still haven't let them know that we aren't going to be full-blown padrinos, but we will. i'll let you know how it goes. i'll post some pics of thailand today. love you all1
That is UH-larious! (that is how Grace says it :)
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