Let me tell you about a trip to Mexico City 2 years ago.
Now I understand their hatred of Americans-not that I think it's justified-so imagine a 6 foot green eyed dude wandering the streets of a poor neighbourhood. I was always getting stared at the first few times I visited our friends. Now this particular time I had noticed a new bunch of kids in the 'hood and as usual they approached me with curiosity. Giggling as usual. But this time out came some pretty nasty comments.
Hey Gringo!
"I f@#k your mother" (both comments in english)
The first comment I had heard many times. I responded in Spanish-no soy Gringo, soy Canadiense.
The second comment blew me away. So I talked with one of our "family' and mentioned I heard this. She was visibly upset.Aparrently the kids like to learn some english, and naturally, bad language is right up there. My friend explained that I was not American, and that what they said was really nasty.
I responded to them in Spanish that-lo siento, pero mi madre es muerte.
I think it is ignorance by the parents, perhaps even racism taught by them. Too bad they are taught to hate someone form outside their little world. The good thing was that I was always treated well in all the churches I had attended. Maybe kids grow up to be good for the mostpart.