One of my favorite parts of this trip was hanging out with the Banta family. We would gather there in the evenings for a fabulous meal. We got to meet and hang out with their kids, who were so amazing.We got a run down of basic Guatemalan Culture differences.
1. Don't wave: it is the equivalent of the American middle finger
2. Don't point: it shows that you are a barbaric gringo, Guatemalans point with their lips.
3. If you walk into the room, greet everyone and say goodbye to everyone: even at the bank.
4. Don't lean on a wall: Guatemalans pee in public, and do so on walls.
5. Don't blow your nose in public: that's just gross. (and #4 isn't!?)
6. When you order at Burger King, don't order "I'll take one uno."
7. Don't drink the water, or even brush your teeth with the water: you will poo for 3 months straight.
8. Don't buy food from vendors: I refer you to #7's consequences9. If you buy a drink, it will come in a glass bottle: The seller will want the bottle back, before you leave the establishment. You can take your drink in a sandwich bag and a straw.
10. If you can't speak Spanish, speaking English louder and slower will not help them understand, even if you use hand gestures (I refer you to #1 & #2).
11. If you run out of gas on a busy street, you can borrow a gas can from the gas station: but you will have to provide your own funnel, possibly made from a Global Soccer Ministries Banner.
12. If don't like suspense, close your eyes when you are being driven to anywhere.
13. Don't take pictures of strangers: they will wave at you. (refer you to #1)
14. Don't make finger guns at the security guards with shotguns in a shooter McGavin type posture. (refer you to #2)
15. Don't wave and take a picture of a swat team member with a really large gun. It's dangerous.
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