funny Archives - Page 16 of 17

A Lesson in Mexican Gestures

by Kelsey Mulyk on Jun 24, 2008

We are slowly starting to feel relatively comfortable in Mexico: things don’t seem so unusual, and both of us are starting to notice subtle things. Well…if you can call gestures in Mexico subtle.

Chins tilting, cupped palms, and a version of the “OK” sign are only a handful of the gestures that I have noticed in Mexico. I wanted to find out what they mean, so we had our our friend, Iker (a Federali turned lawyer), help clarify the meanings. He was also nice enough to pose for photos.

Here are a few gestures you might come across in Mexico:

Hurry Up!
This gesture, shown by rubbing the forefinger and thumb together, does not mean money in Mexico, it means you need to get moving!
Expensive
Holding the thumb and forefinger up with the back of the hand to the viewer indicates that something is expensive. You’ll see husbands making this gesture to their wives in the markets or other shopping venues.
Cheapskate
If you are haggling with someone and you notice someone else nearby tapping their bent elbow consider yourself insulted. Tapping on the elbow means “stingy” or “cheap” in Mexico.
Cunning
You should watch out for someone who is “colmilludo”, which loosely translates to cunning or crafty. This is indicated by tapping one’s eyeteeth which are called “colmillos” in Spanish. This gesture refers to someone that is always looking out for himself. Iker told us that it is used both positively and negatively it just depends on the context — but I got the feeling that this is rarely used as a compliment.
Asshole
Yup…the one gesture you need to know the most since it resembles the Western “OK” sign. It is formed by touching the thumb and forefinger together creating a very small circle. This is extremely rude and never used to someone’s face. See the gallery below to check out our friend Iker who kindly modeled all the gestures for us…even the rude ones.
OK
As mentioned above the “OK” sign is the same here as at home. Just make sure that circle you make isn’t too small!
Lazy
The gesture for lazy is a cupped palm facing upwards, like you are holding something heavy. One or both hands can be used in this gesture. This is highly inappropriate because it refers to lifting “huevos” (which is Mexican slang for testicles). Basically the meaning behind this gesture is that the owner’s “balls” are so big and heavy that he can’t get up!
What’s up?
People will greet you with this gesture which is often just tilting the chin up or tilting the chin up with palms upturned and a shrug. It means “What’s happening?” but you will also see it used as a general greeting. I have found even the youngest kids know this gesture and use it in replace of a verbal greeting.

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It might take awhile at first to recognize these cultural cues but once you have an idea of what to look for you will see them used all over Mexico. Gestures tend to vary from place to place so it’s probably best to use them when you are absolutely certain you know what they mean…after all, calling someone an asshole when you meant to say “OK” might not go over so well.

“No Wrong Turns” chronicles Kelsey and her husband’s road trip — in real time — from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

How to Freak Out Other Drivers

by Justin Glow on Aug 30, 2007

This image requires little explanation, but I’ll give you some anyway. It reminds me of one of those fake arms you can buy or make to stick in the door of your trunk. Or remember that one episode of Jackass when Knoxville put a car seat on top of his car and drove off? People thought he really left a baby up there, and set off running after his car screaming. That’s pretty mean. Regardless, that — and this — is pretty funny.

The caption reads, “And this was just the beginning of our holidays. The little one just wouldn’t shut up. My wife and I both felt we had to do something about it, so we made him ride in the back. And yes, we had a lovely quiet holiday.”

[via]

Ladies: Free Vacation to Puerto Vallarta

by Justin Glow on Jul 10, 2007

It looks like this classified ad was cribbed from Jay Leno’s Tonight Show (notice the NBC peacock in the bottom corner), but it’s funny nonetheless. Apparently some heartless soul’s girlfriend died and he didn’t want to waste that extra plane ticket + accommodations in the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. So not only did he actively search out someone to replace his dead girlfriend, but he did it in public…. in the newspaper…. with a classified ad. That’s real class right there.

Something tells me he ended up in Puerto Vallarta alone.

Oregon Lawn Chair Pilot Takes Flight

by Justin Glow on Jul 10, 2007

Last weekend, Kent Couch, an Oregon-based gas station owner, lifted into the sky on a lawn chair tethered to 105 helium-filled balloons. With a few snacks, a pellet gun, and a parachute, the chair lifted off and traveled over 193 miles at 13,000 feet before landing nine hours later in eastern Oregon.

“Even at two miles high, Couch said, he could hear cattle lowing and children talking,” according to the AP. “He heard gunshots, which worried him. A black butterfly flew past. He passed through clouds. He said they were fluffy.”

I have a fear of heights, and this is pretty much the ultimate anxiety-inducing situation I could find myself in. Planes don’t bother me, but hot air balloons sure do — even looking at them makes me dizzy. There’s something about standing in a wicker basket tied to some helium-filled fabric with giant torch in the middle that really stresses me. Hanging from some weather balloons in a lawn chair doesn’t sound too much better.

The AP story mentions another lawn chair pilot: Larry Walters, who — in 1982 — rose over 15,000 feet over Los Angeles. Like Couch, Walters used a BB gun to shoot the balloons when he wanted to descend, much to the dismay of a passing pilot. “Walters surprised an airline pilot, who radioed the control tower that he had just passed a guy in a lawn chair with a gun.” [via]

Condom Truck Tips, Spills Load

by Willy Volk on Jun 19, 2007

I spent the summer of 2003 working in the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Malawi. Pinned above my desk was a newspaper clipping, with a headline that read, “I am not a condom.” I read that clipping every day — and laughed about it every day.

The subject of the piece — a Member of Parliament — was explaining how indispensable he was to Government and how he could simply not be tossed aside, like a worthless rubber. Hence: “I am not a condom.” Arguably, his decision to compare himself to a prophylactic was not in his best interest — but it sure did give some reporter a headline that wrote itself.

Speaking of headlines that write themselves, check out this clipping, titled “Condom truck tips, spills load.” Opening with the line, “The rubber truly hit the road yesterday…” this is one travel story I’d love to have covered — if just for the easy jokes.

Easy jokes include: