Coming Face to Face with Poverty

article from December 6, 2010
by Julie R Butler

There is a little-talked-about aspect of living in Latin America, and that is poverty. We can all appreciate the fact that the cost of living is lower throughout the region, but along with this advantage comes the sadness of poverty, and it is something that we must all come to terms with in our own ways.

Sad slums covering the hillsides at the edges of cities; park benches occupied by grungy individuals; smells of open sewage wafting up from somewhere nearby; scruffy children sent begging by their parents - these are just a few examples of what poverty looks like. No matter what kind of lifestyle one lives, whether in a resort area or in a regular neighborhood amidst locals, in a large city or out in the countryside, hiring maids and other workers who come to your house or not, expats will at some point find themselves dealing with certain factors related to the fact that there is poverty around them, whether they want to face this reality or not.

The main factor that affects all expats is perception. The sounds of our accents give us away, if not the soft glow of a Norse complexion, towering height, sporty North Face gear, or any of the other tale-tell signs that we can’t help but emit. Regardless of how humble we may think we appear, we are still perceived as being wealthy Northerners; and therefore, we will be targeted for theft and approached for handouts.

One must always be aware of the possibility of theft. Even if you think you have nothing to be stolen, it could end up being your bath towel or your flip-flops that go missing. Getting robbed is never pleasant, regardless of how petty the theft, as it is always an invasion of your privacy. But just as there is a perception that all Yanquis are wealthy and tend to have more stuff than seems necessary, we Yanquis have to put the potential of loss into perspective and find a balance between being wary and being paranoid.

There is also the cultural consideration that “privacy” does not carry much weight in some places, particularly in rural areas and close-knit neighborhoods, where neighbors are very open with each other and being approachable is a very important part of everyday life. What is called the “coconut telegraph” in the Caribbean is a powerful force throughout Latin America, so just remember that anyone who comes to your house will talk to others, and your ability to maintain friendly and respectful attitudes toward everyone in the local community will make a big difference in their reciprocal attitudes.

The automatic perception of wealth also makes us the targets of beggars, hustlers, and even people we come in contact with such as house cleaners and neighbors who will ask us for money. Of course, each individual situation will be different. My point here is to simply raise the issue as something to consider carefully, because your initial kindheartedness can lead to more and more outstretched hands, and the situation can potentially become overwhelming. Once again, the matter requires balance and perspective. There is a balance between feeling compassion for others and recognizing limits in your capacity to give. Consider  your actions in light of your being there for the longer term, instead of letting the emotional impulses of a newcomer take hold. Get creative. If you begin to feel put-upon by beggars, for example, you could offer them some food as an alternative.

When you come to a developing nation in order to live a different lifestyle, it is up to you to contend with the poverty you will encounter and the issues connected with poverty in a realistic way. So be prepared to look inside your heart to find the answers that make the most sense to you in your new life.

Julie R Butler is a writer, journalist, editor, and author of several books, including Nine Months in Uruguay and No Stranger To Strange Lands (click here for more info). She is a contributor to Speakout at Truthout.org, and her current blog is Connectively Speaking
email: julierbutler [at] yahoo [dot] com, Twitter: @JulieRButler