You definitely can't tell just by looking at me, but if you don't know already I have 50 percent Puerto Rican blood in me. Growing up with two different lifestyles was very rewarding. Here is a list of things you will find familiar if you grew up Puerto Rican. And if not, here is a little inside scoop of my Puerto Rican life.
1. Rice and beans
Rice and beans is literally every single meal of every single day. And it is always paired with some sort of meat, whether it be chuletas (fried pork chops) or pollo frito (fried chicken).
2. Goya
Every meal you eat contains at least one, if not five or six, Goya products (especially Adobo and Sazon)!
3. Ricky Martin
It was not a fulfilled day unless I came home to my mom cooking rice and beans and jamming to her crush Ricky Martin.
4. Volume
Explaining to a new significant other or friend that my parents are not yelling; they are simply talking.
5. Three Kings' Day
In addition to Christmas, it is definitely mandatory that Three Kings' Day is celebrated as well.
6. You must call your mom at least once a day if you are not physically with her.
Seriously, though, you have to call your mom at least once a day or be at risk for being the next victim of a missing persons report.
7. How phone conversations went
When you did call your mom, there were only two topics discussed: "Why haven't you called your abuelita/mamita yet?" "What are you doing with your life?"
8. Plane rides
If you have ever been on a plane with a bunch of Puerto Ricans, you will notice they begin to clap when their plane hits the runway.
9. Telenovelas
They are as important as major holiday parties, and don't you dare think about interrupting, because it is considered extremely rude.
10. Platanos
They might as well be their own separate food group to be honest.
11. Ave Maria Purisima
Just admit it — when you were little, you were convinced your name began with these three words.
12. "Cheby"
How many people do you know that have a "Cheby?"
13. New vocabulary
Words like "wepa," "ay bendito," "chacho" and "chacha" become second nature in your vocabulary.
14. Pasteles, flan, coquito.
What's a holiday party without these three things? Not a good party, I'll tell you that right now.
15. "Suavemente"
"Suavemente" by Elvis Crespo is played at pretty much every event. If it is not, then you're doing it wrong.
16. Dominos
You slowly become a Dominos champion. It's almost as serious as any Buffalo Bills fan.
17. Dinnertime
Your mom will scream at the top of her lungs to let you know that dinner is ready, even if you live in a one-bedroom apartment. Again, the volume meter only has one setting around my house.
18. Lips
Most of us will use our fingers to point something out to someone else. However, Puerto Ricans will use their lips instead.
19. Maria, Chucho, Papo, Tito or Carmen
We all know at least 4-5 people with one of these names.Or sometimes maybe 12.
20. Barefoot
Never be barefoot anywhere. You will definitely get yelled at and be threatened with a cold or some life-threatening disease.
21. Speak with your face.
We have this special quality where we can talk with our faces to each other. For example we can twitch our entire face and that translates to, "What do you want?"
22. "Con-flei"
All cereal is called "con-flei." If you are actually eating Cornflakes when your Mamita says "con-flei," then you are in luck.
23. Strict parents
Oh, you want to hang out with your friends? Well where are you going? Who is going? Do their parents know? How long will you be out? Have their parents gotten any speeding tickets lately? Do they like peas or corn better?
Puerto Rican parents are definitely more strict than your average parent. Just talk to any Puerto Rican you know, and you will get the inside scoop of how to bribe and beg. Th
24. Cousins
Here's me with just a handful of my cousins. If you talk to any Puerto Rican, they have at least 20 cousins, trust me.
Growing up in a Puerto Rican culture has been extremely wonderful and definitely delicious. I wouldn't want it any other way. Yo soy Boricua!
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