Category Archives: Proverbs

Cuban proverb

Age: 19

Text: “No se puede meter la Habana en Guanabacoa”

Context: This proverb translates to “you can’t stick Havana in Guanabacoa.” The participant told me, “My dad is Cuban and he has always told this proverb to me. Havana is a big city and Guanabacoa is a big city beside it. The proverb essentially means that you cannot stick Havana in Guanabacoa because it is bigger. I use this proverb when I’m doing more than I should. Whenever I’m stressed and have too much on my plate, my parents tell me that I can’t do everything in the little time you have. I like this proverb because it helps me ground myself when I need to.” 

Analysis: This proverb reminds me of another proverb, “don’t bite off more than you can chew.” These are both warning proverbs to tell people that even though it can be tempting, it is too hard on yourself to do more than you can handle. These types of proverbs became very popular in cultures, because they are very relatable for many people. At some point in life, everyone takes on more than they can manage. This proverb reminds people that you must not overwhelm yourself. This is especially relevant today, because society continues to put a lot of pressure on people, especially academically and professionally. Parents, professors, and employers expect more achievement and progress than many people can handle. This is an example of counter hegemony, as the proverb is going against this generally accepted idea of hustle culture and multitasking. It promotes mindfulness over busy work, which is something that is very uncommon in the present day.

Despite this proverb having Cuban origins, it is a universal piece of advice. Because of this, it is an example of structuralism and vernacular wisdom. It is general wisdom that can be applied to anyone, and it is used in everyday speech. This makes it a proverb that is easy to use and spread around, which is why it is so popular in Cuban culture, and its oicotypes are popular in other regions.

Bee

Nationality: White
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“Bee in bonnet.”

My informant mentioned this proverb and explained that they heard it once in the TV show The Berenstain Bears, and since then they have used it religiously. For them, the proverb is used when you are too obsessed and overly worry about something.

This proverb dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries and comes from an actual bee buzzing around inside a hat or bonnet, which then caused agitation and distraction. In the proverb, the “bee” represents a thought or idea that buzzes in our mind (bonnet) distracting us. 

Camarón

Nationality: Mexico
Age: 70
Occupation: None
Residence: Los Angeles
Language: English and Spanish

“Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente”

My informant mentioned this proverb, “Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente” which in English means “Shrimp that falls asleep is carried by the current.” The informant told me that their mother would bring up this phrase when they missed out on opportunities. My informant is from Michoacán, Mexico, and learned it from their mother, but has also heard from other regions of Mexico. They now use that proverb and tell their kids and grandkids in order to teach them about how to make the most of their lives.

It is a phrase that warns of the dangers of passivity and inaction. It’s a way to teach a lesson that if you don’t take control of your life, you risk being swept away, just like a shrimp that is carried by the water.

Stupid Games

Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Language: English

Text: You Played Stupid Games, You Win Stupid Prizes.

Context: Informant details that this proverb was first heard in a Taylor Swift song. Informant commonly uses this proverb when discussing the decisions of others, especially when addressing relationship decisions. Informant describes themselves as being an advisor to many friends when it comes to relationships. When they bring up issues that are centered around making bad decisions, especially choosing romantic partners, the informant relays this proverb. Informant acknowledges that it can sometimes come off as harsh, but understands the necessity of tough truths, especially with people they care for. Informant wants their friends to understand that, sometimes, the best way to avoid troublesome issues is to be more precautious in decision making.

Analysis: I believe this proverb is very fundamental to how the American people view hardships. A lot of people separate themselves from the event, and treat the situation as something that has been, “done to them,” rather than, “done to self.” This is rooted in the tendency of people to not take responsibility for their actions. This proverb provides the wisdom that negative outcomes are likely to come from non thoughtful decisions. This can, and should be, applied to decision making on all scales. The American decision making culture has long been rooted in a “now is better than later” mindset. This means that the quicker decision is the better one, as it allows for action to be taken at a rapid rate. This, however, leads to many unforeseen issues that would have likely been thought of if the decision was made more carefully. This proverb’s importance then becomes as a reminder that the best choice is the thoughtful one.

There’s a snake in my… Pocket?

Nationality: African American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): French

Age: 65

Occupation: Management Consultant

Residence: Upstate, NY

Performance Date: 4/20/2025

Context: 

My informant, WB, is a family member of mine who lives in the Hudson Valley area of New York. They used to tell me a lot of riddles as a child, and loved to play games with riddles all the time. One day I decided to ask them if they ever heard of an original riddle that stuck with them personally, one they had not yet shared with me. This is what I got: 

Text: 

“‘What do you get when you put a snake in your pocket? You get bit.’ The meaning of this is to beware of trusting and getting too close to scrupleless people. While I hate that it puts snakes in a bad light, this saying has always taught me to take the time to get to know people who may become a business partners. AND, even then, you may still get bit!! I think this is one that my grandfather created, perhaps it was passed on from an experience his parents had who were in the restaurant business back in the 20’s and finally lost the business to their business partners.  This means a lot to me, it has taught me to pay close attention to the motives of people in general when it comes to finance, positive or negative. I know most people say ‘I trust people until they prove otherwise’ but for me, ‘I don’t trust people I meet until they prove trustworthy.’”

Analysis: 

Okay, so, this proverb they exemplified, I personally had never heard before, and upon looking it up, I found next to nothing, which is great! This might actually be unique to WB’s family (or at least not widespread) adding to the idea that it was coined by their grandfather or adapted from an older phrase. What’s interesting is how it uses the symbol of the snake, which in many global traditions (from the Bible to African trickster tales to Greek mythology) represents deceit, danger, or moral testing. In this case, the snake stands as a metaphor for untrustworthy people, especially in financial or business settings, with the “pocket” standing in as a symbol for closeness or vulnerability. It’s also compelling how the proverb serves not only as a warning, but also as a reflection of a real, generational experience. I think it’s cool that the personal history gives the phrase emotional weight and makes it more than just a casual saying, almost becoming a tool of survival and a form of inherited wisdom. What I find most fascinating is how WB uses it to define their personal philosophy on trust, flipping the more common belief that trust is given until broken. I honestly lean that way too. Plus, WB seems to approach trust as something earned, which they frame not as cynical, but as careful. It’s a great example of how even a small, family-rooted piece of folklore can carry over an entire worldview.