One of the first observations that Americans make when they travel to Peru and work with Peruvians is the slow nature of work in comparison to the Western Way, and the cyclical conversations. What do I mean, cyclical conversation? The efficiency focused American states what they believe to be fact, generally, the Peruvian will respond nodding but with a preposition, as if to clarify what had already been agreed upon. The American responds usually with the same statement previously made, and the Peruvian in the same manner, hence the cyclical pattern.
standing in the room being painted
Me: "I am almost finished painting." smiling
Don Juan: "You are almost done, it looks good, one more wall?" smiling, nodding
Me: "Yes I am almost done, one more wall." nodding, looking blankly at the one unpainted wall
Don Juan: "So you are going to paint that wall in the back and be done."
Me: "Just that last wall with the window and the painting is done."
Don Juan: "Almost done painting, one more wall." nodding
or
Me: "We need to get the glass for the window from the Municipality."
Don Juan: "Yes, that window needs to be put in."
Me: "Can we go get it soon?"
Don Juan: "We need to get the glass for the window soon. This afternoon?"
Me: "We can go this afternoon? Great! What time is good?"
Don Juan: "We need to get the glass from the councilwoman, we should go this afternoon, 5?"
Me: "Five is good, yes lets go at 5." -thinking the conversation has finalized
Don Juan: " The councilwoman will still be there at 5 so we should go this afternoon and get the glass from her.
Me: "Yes, at five we will go, is that good for you?
Don Juan: "Yes, we will go at 5, the window needs to be put in."
Why this circular nature? I can easily tell you why the American makes specific, frank, direct speech; efficiency is our backbone and our bread and butter. But, why does the Peruvian conversational culture contain this repetitive nature?
One. This culture is old, not everyone reads and writes. Perhaps, in order to remember a decision or an idea repetition is necessary.
Two. Time is fluid, and it is accepted that life is ever-changing here and plans are not set in stone. Perhaps the repetition is to ensure that plans haven't changed since the last time discussed.
Three. Or perhaps because Socialism happened. There is an extremely communal nature to these towns. Very few decisions are made by one person. Leaders aren't always respected, and just about every time a decision is made someone from the crowd, usually with a valid point, blurts out, "Mejor si..."- "It's better if..." and generally the group opens into debate at this point until the best decision is landed upon. With this nature of decision making time is eaten. Usually what is simplest for everyone is landed upon, usually no one is left out, and an hour or two later a decision has been made by the group and the leader has to nod their head before the informal meeting is adjourned.
Whatever the reason, I find it frustrating and refreshing all at the same time. While many Peace Corps volunteers are frustrated at the time it takes to get anything done, for some reason I find these conversations fascinating. I love watching the eyes of the people thinking as ideas roll through their heads. I love following their thought processes. I appreciate their strong self-confidence. I like the elderly woman and the 15-year-old boy having a direct impact on the decisions made in their community.
But, I hate when it becomes naggy. Usually, it is women and children who turn these conversations into something criticizing and whiney. With their own benefit in mind, they nag the leader for something better for themselves instead of the group. One woman who is feeling lazy and nags enough can change the route of a bus to take her closer to her house. This I have no patience for, but I appreciate the flexible nature of life. The bus driver can't say, "Sorry, this is the route the big guy upstairs says I have to take." nope, it is his bus, there are no conglomerate companies. He owns the bus, and can change whatever he sees fit. The strength in self-ownership shines brightly here, but the desire to do what is best for your community shines brightest, and to include everyone impacted's thoughts is semi-imperative. Hence, the conversational loop.
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