The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CUSTOM (CHARACTERISTIC OF A PEOPLE)

PUERTO RICAN MEN (PUERTORICANOS) ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT
"MUY MACHO" (VERY MASCULINE). THEY MUST NEVER SHOW
WEAKNESS OF ANY KIND. FOR THIS REASON, YOU NEVER CAN BELIEVE
ONE WHEN HE GIVES YOU DIRECTIONS BECAUSE HE MUST NEVER LET
ON IF HE DOESN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. HE WILL GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS
INVARIABLY WHETHER THEY ARE CORRECT OR NOT. IT TOOK US MANY
WASTED GALLONS OF GASOLINE BEFORE WE WERE FINALLY TOLD BY A
PUERTO RICAN WOMAN FRIEND THAT IT WAS NO USE ASKING. THE
WOMEN DON'T DO THIS.

Submitter comment: COLLECTED BY OBSERVATION

Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN

Date learned: 00-00-1962