In The Community
Not enough tortillas
Whether you’re of Mexican descent or a Latino who loves good Mexican food, you already know there’s never enough tortillas. You could be enjoying a burrito bowl, fajitas, huevos rancheros, or any other dish and the moment you run out of tortillas, the sadness just hits and “cries in Spanish” encompasses it perfectly. The good news is there are usually more tortillas around, so this isn’t an insurmountable issue.
The joy of bakery smells
It’s a truth universally accepted by Latinos that the smells that hit your nostrils when you enter a panadería (bakery) must be inhaled. We think it’s hard to find a person who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread and other delicious treats. Not enjoying it to the fullest is just depriving yourself of one of life’s small joys.
Chisme is life
Whether you’re sitting with your family or your friends when the chisme (gossip) starts pouring, very few Latinos can help themselves from listening in. It doesn’t matter if you know the people involved or not, being there for the tea spill is always entertaining. When you were young, it was particularly great because it made you feel so grown up to hear what the tías (aunts) were up to.
Saving every plastic bag
Latinos have been practicing the sustainable habit of keeping every single plastic bag for reuse since time immemorial. We’re pretty sure almost every Latino household has a plastic bag full of plastic bags stored somewhere, and they come in quite handy. Mostly, they’re reused as trash bags, but they also make good shower caps. If you’re a Latina, you know that plastic bags are very useful when you’re doing hair hydration treatments at home and you don’t want to waste money on shower caps that will stretch after you use them twice.
La Rosa de Guadalupe effect
“La Rosa de Guadalupe” is a Mexican catholic anthology series where each episode explores themes like addiction, domestic abuse, violence, bullying, and more. The Virgin of Guadalupe always intervenes and there’s always a lesson to each story. It’s a moralist, low-budget show, but Mexican kids and Latinos overall grew up watching it in the late 2000s because it’s so bad, it’s good. However, our parents definitely took it seriously. Whenever a kid got in trouble in “La Rosa de Guadalupe” for disobeying their parents or doing something they weren’t supposed to, Latina moms would go “You see?! This is what I tell you!” We’ve all been there.
Being able to handle your spice
One thing about Latinos is that they know how to handle their spice, so if you have white friends who aren’t used to the Latino fire, you’ve been in this situation. It feels like a superpower and it’s always kind of funny. Of course, not every Latino loves spice or can handle it well, but for those who do, this meme is as real as it gets.
No sleepover for Latino kids
Whether you were born in the U.S. or your parents immigrated when you were young, you likely experienced a few cultural shocks. For one, there’s no way your Latino parents let you go to any sleepovers. Sleeping in a house full of strangers? Out of the question. While American parents are perfectly okay with that and sleepovers are a quintessential experience for American kids, Latino parents trust no one with their offspring.
Flip flops mean a whole other thing to Latinos
Flip flops may be “indispensable beach accessories” to every other person, but to Latino kids, they mean something different. As the meme says, they’re “attack of defense weapons” when you’re dealing with siblings or bugs, but when that chancleta was in mom’s hand, things got serious real quick. It was either a warning sign to behave or it was flying directly at your head if mom was on her last nerve. Either way, you knew you made a mistake!
The holy trinity of Latino health
While not having insurance is a serious issue among Latinos in the U.S. and not a laughing matter, this particular meme is impossible not to laugh at because it’s true! We grew up thinking that VapoRub, Sprite, and a good chicken or beef soup could cure anything. Honestly, it’s pretty effective when you have the flu. It’s also effective when you’re hungover (minus the VapoRub in that case), so this trio is not without its merits. It’s not as good as insurance, though, that’s for certain.
Switching to Spanish means things got real
Again, it’s funny because it’s true! When your family switches to Spanish, you know that the argument went from calm and collected to fully emotional. English is not enough to express the breadth of Latinos’ emotions sometimes, especially when they have a point to prove. When the switch happens, it’s definitely when the fun begins if you’re a spectator just enjoying the chisme. It’s not as fun if you’re involved in the argument…
- The Power of Vicks Vaporub - Better known as "Vivaporu," this powerful potion could supposedly cure everything from a headache to a broken heart. It was your abuelita's answer to all ailments. Got the flu? Vivaporu. Twisted your ankle? Vivaporu. Existential crisis? Well, you get the picture.
- The Fear of La Chancla - Ah, la chancla - the infamous flip flop, often wielded by moms and abuelas, ready to fly at the speed of light to discipline a misbehaving child. It was a symbol of authority that taught you how to toe the line...pun intended
- Telenovelas as a Family Affair - You know you grew up Latino when your family's schedule revolved around the airing times of their favorite telenovelas. Your abuela's tears during a dramatic episode were as gripping as the on-screen action.
- The Magic Word, "Ahorita" - This elusive term could mean in five minutes, five hours, or even five days. This vague time frame was somehow universally understood, but only added to the confusion of our non-Latino friends.
- Sancocho Sundays (for many Latinos as this is a regional Caribbean-inspired dish) - The tantalizing smell of a simmering pot of sancocho filling the house on a Sunday was the epitome of comfort and family time. It didn't matter if the weather was 100 degrees outside - sancocho was a year-round delight.
- Cascarones at Easter - The thrill of smashing beautifully decorated, confetti-filled eggs on the heads of unsuspecting cousins during Easter celebrations. The glitter aftermath? Priceless.
- Living in a Novela - Conversations with your tías could sometimes feel like you're in a telenovela, complete with dramatic plot twists, excessive hand gestures, and long pauses for effect.
- El Cucuy and La Llorona - Forget the boogeyman, these legendary creatures were the ones who kept you in check during your childhood. Their tales were the classic scare tactics, cautioning you against staying out too late or not going to bed on time.
- Fabuloso Everything - Before there were fancy scented candles, there was Fabuloso. This cleaning product was the perfume of your home, leaving an undeniable smell of a clean house.
- Dancing is Non-negotiable - Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Cumbias... You were probably dancing before you could walk. From family gatherings to Christmas parties, dancing was not just expected; it was compulsory.
- The Invasion of Tupperware - Any large gathering meant you were going home with a random assortment of Tupperware filled with leftovers, from arroz con pollo to frijoles negros.
- Blasting Music on Cleaning Day - Saturday morning cleaning sessions weren't complete without a booming soundtrack of Latin hits. The louder Marc Anthony or Marco Antonio Solis sang, the faster you mopped.
- Quinceañeras over Sweet Sixteens - Why wait for a sweet sixteen when you can have a grand quinceañera, a dazzling celebration of culture, family, and the journey to womanhood?
- Morning Rituals with Cafecito - Coffee wasn't just a morning beverage; it was a rite of passage. Sipping on the strong, sweet elixir as a family, often accompanied by pan dulce, was an experience that shaped your mornings and energized your day.
- The Power of the Sobremesa - The art of lingering around the table after a meal, sharing stories, and cracking jokes. A simple dinner could easily extend into the wee hours of the night.
- Being Late is On Time - Arriving "fashionably late" was just a normal part of family gatherings. An invitation for 6 PM? It was universally understood that meant 7 PM or later.
- No Secret is Safe - News traveled faster than light in your family. Before you even got a chance to announce something, everyone already knew. From engagements to pregnancy announcements, your family was the original social media.
@es_jenny_solares I’m in my señora phase and enjoying it ok 🫢🥲😂
♬ original sound - Jenny Solares
- The Respect for Saints and Spirits - A house full of religious icons, saints, and the ever-watchful ojo protector. Your childhood was a blend of Catholicism and ancient superstitions.
- Packed Cars on Road Trips - Family road trips weren't just for your immediate family. They also included cousins, aunts, uncles, and sometimes even neighbors. And don’t forget, everyone always brought enough food to feed a small village.
- Love is Louder - Above all, the loudness was not just about volume. It was about passion, vibrancy, and love. From booming laughter to fiery debates, everything was done full-heartedly.
Here's to the loving chaos, the unforgettable memories, and the strong sense of community and tradition that is growing up Latino.
- 9 of the Best Telenovelas of All Time ›
- 5 Things Latina Moms Told Us Growing Up ›
- The Rise of 'Girl Dinner': Why It's Striking a Chord - Luz Media ›
- Latin American Customs: Nostalgia or Cringe? - Luz Media ›
- Breaking Down Quinceañeras: A Latina Rite of Passage - Luz Media ›
- Top 10 Cringe Life Moments That Are Bound to Happen ›
- 10 Latino Childhood Experiences to Activate Major Nostalgia ›
- The Evolution of Telenovelas Through the Years - Luz Media ›
