lunes, 4 de noviembre de 2013

Don't like Halloween or Santa Claus? I couldn't care less.

I've been part of many conversations where Spaniards voice their opposition to elements of foreign cultures invading Spain
I get it (Entiendo): you think your culture is being erased by globalization or Americanization or whatever you prefer to call it. 



Last week these people said things like "¿Y por qué hay que celebrar Halloween aquí si la tradición española es de Todos los Santos?" (Why should we celebrate Halloween here when the Spanish tradition is All Saints Day?)
And that's a damn good point (es una buena observación donde las haya). 
Spaniards already dress up (se disfrazan) for Carnaval (like Mardi Gras in New Orleans), but they don't trick or treat. 
So we should repeal this law that makes it mandatory for all Spaniards to celebrate Halloween.... wait... that law doesn't exist
Oh yeah... you're free to celebrate Halloween or not if you damn well please (si te da la p___ gana).  
In these conversations, people say these things to me as if I'm taking part in making everybody celebrate Halloween against their will (voluntad). 
It's funny(curioso): the last guy to say this to me was wearing Levi's, Pumas, a Ralph Lauren Polo and Ray Bans. 
Well, I've got news for you: I couldn't care less (me da exáctamente igual) if you celebrate Halloween or not. 
Just a thought, though... maybe people in Spain celebrate Halloween more than All Saints' Day because it's more fun to dress up than to wash off tombstones... 

Do you not like Thanksgiving (Acción de gracias)? Then don't celebrate it. 
Do you not like Veterans' Day? Martin Luther King Day? The Fourth of July? 
Nobody's taking attendance. 
You don't lose money if you don't do it. 
Stay at home and watch Cuentame como pasó or a bull fight. 

Another thing people like to accuse America of is making Spain give gifts as Santa Claus instead of on Epiphany (el Día de los Reyes Magos). 
Well, lemme (déjame) tell ya (you) somethin': Nobody makes you do Santa Claus. 
In your family, you can celebrate whatever you decide. 
People act like it's some kind of obligation to do Santa Claus becuase that way their kids have more time to play with their toys over (durante) Christmas break. 
If you choose (eliges) to give your kids their presents (regalos) early (antes), that's fine, but don't blame (no eches la culpa) poor ol' Saint Nick (Papá Noel) because your national holiday gets less attention. 
He doesn't care one way or the other. 

Hell (Qué demonios), he'd probably be relieved if Spaniards didn't participate. 
It'd be a whole lot less paella pans, sangría jugs, Flamenco shoes and bullfighting swords to deliver (entregar)



No hay comentarios:

Publicar un comentario