Latin American Customs: Nostalgia or Cringe?

a collage depicting a taco stand, soda out of a plastic bag, and drinking mate

Latin America is a vast region comprising 20 nations and a plethora of cultures, histories, and traditions. As globalization spreads, many age-old quirks and customs are finding their way to the global stage.

For many Latinos, these customs evoke a sense of nostalgia and fondness, while for outsiders, or even younger generations, they may come off as weird or even cringeworthy. The sibling trio Yahritza y Su Esencia recently stirred up controversy when they made what many perceived as negative comments about their recent experience in Mexico City and ultimately apologized after they faced widespread backlash.

But let’s be real - this is nuanced terrain, and not every custom or experience is going to be liked or admired by all so we explore whether these Latin American customs are a beacon of nostalgia or a reason to cringe, or perhaps both.

Drinking Soda from a Bag

In several Latin American countries, especially in street markets, it's not uncommon to be handed your soda in a plastic bag with a straw, rather than in a bottle or can. It's like a DIY drink pouch! They do this so they don't lose out on the bottle, which they often recycle for a return of a small deposit. It also prevents a bunch of empty containers discarded around on the streets.

This tradition brings back memories of hot afternoons and local markets, offering a unique and memorable way to enjoy an ice-cold drink. For many Latinos, it's reminiscent of childhood and simpler times.

But for visitors unaccustomed to the practice, the idea of drinking from a plastic bag may seem wasteful or unsanitary, especially if they lack insight into its original purpose.

The Mate Ritual

Mate is a traditional caffeinated drink consumed mainly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Brazil. The ritual involves drinking from a hollowed gourd with a metal straw and is often a communal activity.

Sharing mate is seen as a symbol of friendship and camaraderie. The act transcends the drink itself and becomes a means of bonding and social connection. Yet, the idea of sharing saliva by passing the gourd and straw can be off-putting to some, especially in a post-pandemic world.

@yerbamatelab

I've been drinking yerba mate for 6 years🧉(and not because of Messi) #yerbamate #messi #yerbamatetok #mateuruguayo #yerbacanarias #mateargentino #maté

Being Woken Up By A Loudspeaker In The Morning

Waking up to the sound of a loudspeaker is a quintessential experience for many Latin Americans. Whether it's the all-too-familiar call of "¡Fierro viejo!" for Mexicans, the reminder from the natural gas vendor, or the garbage collection announcement, these loud calls are an integral part of life in many neighborhoods.

For many Latinos, these loudspeaker calls evoke nostalgia, reminding them of the close-knit communities and the rhythm of daily life. Yet, for some, especially those in urbanized zones or the younger generation who value their morning quiet, these calls can understandably be a source of annoyance, and even be viewed as noise pollution.

@raccoonwithpizza

credits to irogerp

Eating Street Food While Standing

Street food is the heart and soul of the culinary landscape in many Latin American countries. From savory arepas in Venezuela to sweet churros in Chile, many times, these delights are enjoyed standing up, right on the spot. Holding your plate and drink in one hand while eating with the other is an art form in and of itself.

Eating street food while standing often brings memories of spontaneous moments with family and friends, late-night munchies, or a quick bite during busy days. It's all about the immediacy and intimacy of the moment.

But for those used to dining in seated establishments or valuing a more formal eating environment, this might feel a tad informal or unsanitary, given the bustling street surroundings and potential for food contamination.

@mr.taster

World record taco maker in Tijuana, Mexico🇲🇽😍❤️ #taco #tijuana #mrtaster #food #foodlover #foodporn #delicious #restaurant #streetfood

Over-The-Top Telenovela Antics and Low-Quality Cinema

Say what you want to say, but telenovelas are undoubtedly an integral part of Latin American culture, and for many, they’re a daily entertainment staple. From stories of forbidden romances, rags-to-riches tales, and intricate family dramas, these TV series often span hundreds of episodes, keeping viewers hooked for months, even years.

For many Latinos, telenovelas, low-budget shows, and movies are a source of shared experiences. Families gather around the TV in the evenings, eagerly discussing plot twists and character developments. They are an embodiment of passion, drama, and the myriad emotions that define human relationships.

Yet, to the uninitiated, the over-the-top nature of these soap operas can seem excessive. The exaggerated acting, implausible plot turns, and melodramatic confrontations can be a little too much.

@the_mannii

Spanish Tv be like: 😂

Latin American customs are like that favorite family album. While some pages make you chuckle or shake your head in disbelief, others bring a teary-eyed smile of nostalgia. But whether it's sipping mate with friends, getting jolted awake by loudspeakers, or being completely engrossed in fictional drama, these customs are the threads that bind the Latin American spirit.

U.S. and Latin American Latinos have to face it - there's a bit of nostalgia and cringe in every culture, and not everything, is for everyone.

woman surrounded by colorful illustrations
Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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