Stranger In a Strange Land (p#1)

   Me being a stranger in a strange land is a bit impossible since I am a Hispanic living in the U.S. Which I clash between both my American and Hispanic side. On one exception, that when I go over to friend's houses who aren't Hispanic is a completely different world in a home compared to mine. The things that are done between parents and child and the attitudes or the way to act towards each other.

   I've always been taught that allowance does not exist in a family environment. If there are more than one person in the house and we are called a "family," why does money have to involve in it or be given to just because someone did chores? My mom tells me "we are all living under this house, so we all help each other."
When I get money, it is just because I've earned it, by being good, having good grades, doing my priorities that weren't establish to me by them, I should just know. Not meaning to put any other families-that contrast mine- down, but when you move out cleaning and doing the chores that you do at home aren't going to be for money anymore, they are going to be for ones own benefit. I think being paid to do something that benefits yourself in the end doesn't earn yourself much gratitude.
 
   In my house and family we are very sweet and loving to each other, not saying other houses aren't, but the contrast between the two are extremely different. When I see my parents, the first thing I say is "bendicion mami, bendicion papi." (it's a way of greeting them in a respectful manor, not really a way of translating it into english). I even say it when I go to bed or if I am saying good-bye as well. I say it to every family member with the exception of my cousins, but I have to say it to grandparents and aunts and uncles. An addition to saying this we have to give a kiss on the cheek. It really doesn't embarrass me if I do it in front of friends, when I see my friends say hi to their parents all they say is hey mom or hey dad and a hug, I don't feel that love between them, of course they may have those connections when they do other things but I typically don't see it. I think a bit of embarrassment by being in front of people while greeting your parents, kind of shows that disconnection as well.


Again, I mean to say this in my perspective, no disrespect to others.