Just Say No

Women in Honduras (except in cities and bigger towns) generally do not drink in public, if they are of an “upstanding reputation.” In fact, most women won’t even drink a coke if it is not directly from a bottle, lest someone think that they were tomando alcohol. This is a product of extreme machismo, a strong religious influence and for general safety reasons.

In Honduras, unlike the US, there is generally no such thing as drinking in moderation. Therefore, if you are drinking, it is assumed that you are drinking to get drunk. There is no such thing as having a beer or two after work. There is a huge alcohol problem here in Honduras. There are a large number of bolos (drunks). Generally, the bolos sit around on the sidewalk and are good humored and harmless. They may yell out things like “Hey baby, where are you going?” or “Yu hav boyfrin?” in broken English. The best policy is to ignore them, pretend you don’t understand them or give them a “Buenos dias” and walk away. However, machetes are commonplace, and the bolos with machetes, although also generally harmless, can be intimidating.

It is still a little unnerving every time I meet someone carrying a machete in the street. There is no such thing as a safety cover, in this country. But I’m getting more accustomed to it every day. After all, for many people, it is how they make their living.