What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Lake Atitlan?
We asked people in Lake Atitlan if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...
"I offered to help do the laundry when the woman I hired came to mi casa...not a good idea...the look on her face was...well lets just say I got the impression I was borderline close to offending her... Walking a trail without a lamp... duh... in the rain ...after dark... First and last time I get into a boat without asking if it is public or private! Spent 45 minutes trying to start a fire and giving up...later to meet someone on the trail who casually mentioned it is hard to start a fire here due to the lack of O2 in the air...and so some cooking oil and a few major breathes of my hot air and I had instant fire from that day on...lol," remarked another expat who made the move to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
"It is important to be mindful and respectful of the local culture and customs when visiting Lake Atitlan. It is customary to greet people with a handshake and use polite language when speaking to locals. It is also important to dress modestly, as showing too much skin can be considered disrespectful. Talking loudly or disrespecting religious or cultural sites is also frowned upon. It is important to be aware of the cultural taboos in the region, such as avoiding talking about religion or politics in public. Furthermore, bartering is not appropriate in Lake Atitlan and it is important to be courteous and understand that local prices are reasonable," explained one expat living in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Lake Atitlan?
If you live in Lake Atitlan, newcomers to Lake Atitlan would love to hear your answer to this question.
