P for Paraguay: Adios
I saw him as the metro rolled to a stop. He had more greys in his hair now. Made him look more mature. So different than the boyish face that came rushing through the memories. As the car I was in drew closer to where he stood, I grew fidgety. Suddenly, I did not want to come face to face with this person, who now a stranger, had once been anything but. I wouldn’t know what to say. There were no words left to bridge the distance. No reason to anymore. And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder how he was. If he was well.
I alighted as he entered and our eyes met briefly. I said what seemed to be the courteous thing to say.
“Hello,”
He looked at me nonchalantly, nodded and replied. “Adios.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was Paraguay, after all. Where ‘Adios’ was a standard response to Hellos on the street, a shutdown response from people who were too busy to care, stop and talk. I didn’t know what was worse. The fact that he didn’t recognize me, or that I couldn’t recognize my own self anymore.
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I would love to hear your views!
I agree too, Shreya! But they'd argue perspectives!!
That's so rude and cold. I wish they'd change this….
True, that! But this one is a common practice it seems! Just feels sad.
Yes, we as tourists need to really read up about local cultures and customs to know what's OK and what's not before we go visiting a new country!
In today's world with people glued to their mobiles I doubt if the Hello would fall on their ears in the first place 🙂
I must say a Frank or blunt reply. On facts side it's crucial to know before visiting Paraguay. 🙂