Author Archives: Robbie Maletis
Holiday/Festival – Mexico
As told by Israel Cinco de Mayo is the date that Mexico defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. Contrary to many Americans belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence day. To celebrate this holiday Israel and his family gather for a celebration full of food, music, and dancing. Even Israel admits that his family has Americanized the tradition since only a few small areas of Mexico still recognize the holiday. That being said the festival is still full of Mexican heritage and tradition. The food consists of only Mexican cuisine and is always prepared by his mother and aunts on the day of the celebration. After everyone gets to the house dinner begins and family stories are exchanged. Israel said it is his familys tradition to play mariachi music and perform folkdance after dinner is finished. His favorite part of the night as a child was the piñata, which would always be filled with candy. Israel says his family uses the holiday as an excuse to bring everyone together and feels it is important to try and stay connected to his Mexican roots.
Israel went on to talk about his mothers negative feelings towards the way Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Even saying that society has butchered the meaning of the holiday and now it has just become a day where college kids can drink Coronas and party.
While I personally feel that America has stolen many aspects of Cinco de Mayo the American version is in not way related to the traditional Mexican roots. The only two things the celebrations have in common are the name and the overall Mexican theme. Other than that the meanings behind the holidays are in no way related. If you ask most Americans what Cinco de Mayo is celebrating they will probably tell you Mexicos independence day. When I asked one of my roommates what Cinco de Mayo stands for he so eloquently put it as, yea isnt that Mexicos fourth of July. Just proving that the holiday has really lost its meaning in the US and taken a life of its own.
It is amazing to see how a country can take a holiday and completely change its meaning. Until I talked to Israel I personally was never even sure about what the Cinco de Mayo celebration was for. In the end you cannot blame America for interpreting a holiday in the way they see fit.
Rite of Passage – Jewish
Both Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are an important step in every Jewish persons religious life. The ceremony happens during the teenage years, at the age of twelve for girls and thirteen boys, and symbolizes a childs transition into adulthood. Preparation for this event usually begins well before the actual Bar or Bat Mitzvah is to take place. The child will have to go to months of tutoring in order to learn how to read the Torah, which is the most holy text in the Jewish religion. The actual ceremony consists of the boy or girl reading the Torah and reciting Jewish prayers in front of his family and friends. After the ceremony is over, both family and friends are always invited to a lunch as the celebration of the boy or girls transition to an adult begins. In many cases there is even a party held later that night for the new adults. I remember the stress that I went through when I was thirteen years old and it was the week leading up to my Bar Mitzvah. I had put in all of this work to learn the Torah and I was so nervous that I literally memorized the parts that I was reading. Im the oldest in my family so it was very difficult for my mom, who I think almost had a nervous break down in the week leading up to the ceremony. All that said it was an experience I will not forget and it really did bring me closer to my religion. The ceremony went well, it was nice seeing all my family and friends at the lunch, and the party that night was a lot of fun. The gift part of the deal isnt that bad either.
I have been to several Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in my life and they truly are a celebration of a person moving from childhood to adulthood. Back in grade school I remember one of my best friends preparing for his Bar Mitzvah well over a year in advance. You could see how important ceremony was to both him and his parents, because it was a big step in both their lives. This liminal period, or rite of passage, in a teenagers life is not only important to their status in the religion, but in the outside world as well. In many ways it represents a time in everyones life where they begin to gain freedom, and with that comes responsibility.
I like this Jews tradition because, to my knowledge, it is the only religion that takes note of a boy or girls transition to adulthood. While it may be an extravagant celebration it is important to the Jews community and pushes young teenagers to begin to consider themselves as adults.
Contemporary Legend
It was another difficult Christmas for the New York business man who wasnt able to provide for his family because money was scarce. This once successful entrepreneur had recently been through rough times. For the last few years his company had been barely getting buy and he worried that this was the year he would have to file for bankruptcy. Upset from the stress, and the thought that he would no longer be able to provide for his family the man went for a walk. He walked for miles and ended up in downtown New York at Central Park. He stood on a bridge looking down at the stream below wishing that there were some way he could get himself out of this mess. All of the sudden he saw a man standing next to him and they began to talk. The businessman began to explain about his situation and how worried he was about his family, employees, and the business he worked so hard to build. After a long conversation the man said that he must be going, but before he left he handed the businessman a piece of paper and told him to read it on his way home. As they went opposite ways the businessman opened the fold piece of paper and saw that it was a check. The check was written out for 500,000 dollars and on the top corner it said JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER. The businessman stood in disbelief, as he quickly realized the man on the bridge was John D. Rockefeller, one of the most successful businessmen of all-time. On the back of the check the man had written, use this if things go wrong and come meet me at this bridge one years time from now. The man carried himself in confidence as he went back home to celebrate the holiday with his family. With his newfound hope the man new that this would be a successful years, because he had a back up if things werent getting better. The man took the check and put it in his desk, and vowed not to use it unless his business was going to go bankrupt. The business began to thrive as bankers started to believe in the businessman and his companys goals.
By years end the company was healthy again and things were looking up. So when that next Christmas Eve came around, the man went to the bridge to meet Mr. Rockefeller and tell him of his success. When he got there he saw the man, handed him back his check, and thanked him for everything he had done to help him and his business. By surprise Mr. Rockefeller acted as if he had no idea what he was talking about. Just as the businessman was trying to remind Mr. Rockefeller of their meeting one year ago a nurse came up to them and said, I am so sorry, is he bothering you. He keeps on telling people he John D. Rockefeller. Like anybody would believe that. The man stood in disbelief as he realized that the check, which gave him the confidence he needed to turn around his company, was a fake. It was at this point that the man realized, that the check gave him back faith in himself that he had lost during those difficult years. In the end the lesson behind the fake check was worth far more than the dollar value written upon it.
Joseph told me he learned this from a business teacher last semester. Fitting the setting of a business class, the teacher used this story to try and teach his students about never losing faith. He told each of them that they would not be in the positions they are now, students at USC, if they were not smart and successful. He reminded them that they would all face difficult times at some point in their lives but must keep the faith.
This is an example of an urban legend that has substantial meaning behind it. While it is a great story it leaves the listener with the moral lesson that he can take on and apply to his own life. Whether it is business or any every endeavor you take on in your life remembers to keep the faith. When things are not going your way it often times just takes belief in yourself to overcome difficult times.
Myth
The other day I was filling up my car with gas and I started talking to the station worker who was trying to fix a broken nozzle. The man initiated the conversation by telling me, hey man youre fillin up at the wrong time. Not knowing what he was talking about, I asked him what he meant. The man went on to explain to me that if you want to save money on gas you should fill up in the morning. The reason for this being that when its cold outside the gas you pump in your car is thicker, but as it warms up, it will expand.
He went on to explain to me other money saving tips such as always fill your tank when it is half full. Explaining that this does not allow air to settle in the tank, which can evaporate some of the gasoline. The final tip the man gave me was to never, and I mean never hold the trigger to the high setting when filling up. Telling me that the on the highest setting air bubbles flow in the gasoline and causes you to get less pure gas per gallon.
While the man had believable reasons for his gasoline tips I am not sure I believed all of them. These gas myths have come in existence the past year or so as the price of gas can reach over four dollars a gallon in some areas. The man had no reason to lie about anything he said and he is much more knowledgeable on gasoline the common person.