262 CultureShock! Bolivia
Forget the incident and look around as you walk to avoid
potential foam spray and water balloon attacks?
Write a letter to the editor, criticising such infantile
behaviour?
Quickly purchase water balloons from a street vendor and
counter attack?Comments
If the balloon did not contain urine or ice, the police will laugh
off your complaint, and so will readers of any newspaper that
would bother to print your letter.
is one correct answer. Events like this one only happen
during Carnaval. It beats getting in the way of a drive-by
shooting in a gun-toting culture.
is not a bad alternative. You may discover there
is something therapeutic in getting involved in this
Carnaval ritual.SITUATION 2
You are invited to a social engagement in the home of a
friend. Many guests are already seated in the living room
and dining room when you arrive. How do you greet the host
and the other guests? If male, make the rounds, shaking hands with each male
(embracing them if they are friends or relatives), and
shaking the hand of each female while kissing her on the
cheek if she is a friend or relative. If female, shake hands
and offer your cheek to males if they are friends or relatives
while doing the same with females but adding an embrace
if you are friends or family.
Say ‘good evening’ to the whole crowd at once.
Take a seat and only begin greeting people as they happen
to come in contact with you.
Make sure that you are the first to arrive so you won’t face
this dilemma.