White GUY non Hispanic moving to Little Havana!! (retired)

[santiago33]

I am of a hispanic background but don't look it. I mean there was a guy on the street selling something yelling out in spanish and he passes me by and starts yelling in English. I walk into a gas station on Flagler St. and everyone is talking Spanish but when it is my turn in line the clerk talks to me in English (with a heavy accent), I went to a used car dealer y los Argentinos de mierda insult me in Spansh to my face so I guess I'm as good as a gringo. The point is you'll be fine but it'll feel like you are somewhere developed in South America.

[intelfan11315]

Originally Posted by santiago33

I am of a hispanic background but don't look it. I mean there was a guy on the street selling something yelling out in spanish and he passes me by and starts yelling in English. I walk into a gas station on Flagler St. and everyone is talking Spanish but when it is my turn in line the clerk talks to me in English (with a heavy accent), I went to a used car dealer y los Argentinos de mierda insult me in Spansh to my face so I guess I'm as good as a gringo. The point is you'll be fine but it'll feel like you are somewhere developed in South America.

Do you really get insulted much? Being white and people not expecting i've spoke spanish i've never actually heard people talking bad about me in spanish. I'm almost always greeted in english but I ask if the prefer spanish if their accent is big enough (they are always happy about it), but the most i've ever heard people talk about me in spanish are girls saying that i'm cute.. other than that no one seems to really say a word about me , good or bad.

[Chelito23]

It seems like people are catering to you and going out of their way to make you feel comfortable when they switch to English for you. It sounds like you don't like the fact that people assume you don't speak Spanish. Just answer them back in Spanish and they will realize you are Latin...and no one will miss a beat.

If someone insults you for no reason, especially an Argentine....well, I mean, they aren't exactly known for being dark skinned, so they are probably similar to you physically, so that probably had more to do with that person being a jerk as opposed to you not looking Hispanic. Don't sweat that stuff and take your business elsewhere.

[miamihurricane555]

Originally Posted by giz2000

agree...a "buenos dias/tardes/noches" will work in your favor. You'd be surprised at the reaction that people will have to your speaking Spanish. I had a friend who was just like you...moved to Little Havana from Vermont, a true "gringo"...and spoke better Spanish that most native speakers. He loved living in Little Havana..he was really into the Hispanic culture...and especially loved the ladies...

really you guys are way to formal with the young crowd use hola que bola hacer? that will certinly suprise them

[Carlo78]

Originally Posted by mtdersch

ha ha..I definitely have more of a Brad Pitt look, in fact ive been compared to him more than once. ( though Im half his age) I do ned to find some zippy cuban expressions though as you said...any suggestions? maybe : Que? nunca has conocido un gringo que habla tu propia idioma? said in a nice way

LOL that sounds more like a KKK or SS than friendly spanish... ***MOD CUT***

[Cubanchic]

I am one of those rare fair skinned, blue green eyed blonde Cuban girls and often the younger folks will speak to me in English at first but the older folks will always speak to me in Spanish first. My husband is Midwestern and very very American looking and he gets the same thing.

My husband does speak Spanish although the Spanish that most speak here is either clipped (Cubans) or very rapid everyone else and he has trouble understanding them. So your Spanish skills will be put to the test, but at the same time you will begin to learn a lot more about different Hispanics cultures.

I would also like to point out that little Havana is not solely Cuban, there are a lot more of central American and south American there. Good luck!

[miami_zed]

I live around that west little havana area. It's funny, you just walk a few blocks more south and west and boom you're in coral gables among the white people. As far as "etiquette" about speaking spanish or not.......eh do whatever you feel like at that moment. Switch it up. It's not a big deal. You may be surprised that the people that are offensive or rude are who you least expect it...

Oh and don't expect so much formalities in Little Havana. If you wanna ask someone a question don't go up and say "Hello, how are you doing?" They'll think you're a scammer, want money, are a survey person, or want to waste their time. Just ask the question or if you want to make small talk just start talking.

And don't be like that AA black guy that decided to go on a rant in a cafeteria about me not wanting to greet him. Blah blah blah, race card. There are always troublemakers, or people with an attitude problem, don't think it has necessarily anything to do with what language you talk or how you greet them or not.

[WINTERFRONT]

The average Cuban in Miami is blonde/light brown haired, fair skinned with caramel colored eyes, so when it comes to looks a gringo shouldn't stand out in Miami.

[straight shooter]

Originally Posted by WINTERFRONT

The average Cuban in Miami is blonde/light brown haired, fair skinned with caramel colored eyes, so when it comes to looks a gringo shouldn't stand out in Miami.

Some cubans are like that but I wouldn't say that it is the average.

[Alex =]]

Originally Posted by mtdersch

I will be living right where Little havana and West Flagler meet, just about 13 blocks south of the airport. I'm white, do not look hispanic at all, but speak very fluent spanih, Theres not much I cant say or understand anymore. Will people generally ignore me in little havana since they are just going to assume I dont know Spanish, or if I go out of my way to speak Spanish will that help and even make them give me more credibility?

do not look hispanic at all? you do not look white?

This guy is confusing..