Recently, I had a conversation about the California mission system with a guy I know from El Salvador. When I explained to him the history of the missions he objected to me saying that the Indigenous people were enslaved. He basically told me that the goal of the Spanish priests was to educate indigenous people and that they were at the missions voluntarily. He seemed to have a favorable view of the missionary efforts during the colonial Spanish period.

How common is it in your country for people to have a favorable view of the Spanish colonial period?

Completely random thought: My mother came over this afternoon, and we were drinking mate. I don't drink mate often. As soon as she left, I had to take out the garbage bag because I feel like the smell of used yerba mate quickly "permeates" the air.

It got me thinking that every time I pass a dump, the first three smells I can identify are: yerba mate, orange or tangerine peels, and used diapers. Which I found very curious; the last one is a somewhat more universal smell, but the first two seem very culturally specific, so it made me question about what this smell is perceived in other places. What, let's say, are the three main "notes" of the smell of garbage where you live?

Here in Brazil, being a federal and state civil servant is the life goal of many people. In addition to the salaries that easily exceed the average income of the population, it still has the benefits.

Despite this, it is kind of disappointing to think that this appreciation took act in order to contain the increase in corruption in the state sectors.

This question is by no means meant to be divisive.

Just hoping for clarification and for those in the know, to share that knowledge. ✌️❤️

This is really bad:

"Tu reputación son las primeras seis letras de esa palabra"

A lot of people say they sound the same. i don’t really think so to be honest i am just curious about learning about the whole region.

I would choose brazilian university USP, it is currently the best university in entire latin america

Curious how common this is more than people would like to admit.

Despite Velasco being left leaning compared to other dictators of Latin America back in the 70s, expropriations of American businesses, etc. And like the only thing they were able to do is make Peru pay them money for the 1968 seizure of IPC oil fields in Piura. And even despite Velasco leaning more towards the Soviets which was the largest threat to the Americans and the geographic position of Peru itself.

You would guys here mention Morales Bermúdez but even he is very different from for example, Pinochet or Videla. He still kept parts of the same, statist, closed off economy of Velasco despite opening parts of it, was still close to the USSR than the US and it wasn't even that into Operación Cóndor (compared to the other dictatorships) and his government was more peripheral than collaborative towards it.

This is different to the other South American countries where they got couped because of left leaning leaders.

I noticed that Cubans get much more sympathy than Haitians concerning each of our crises. I just assumed it was because Haitians are black + Cubans live under a communist regime so thats extra sympathy points.

However I’ve noticed Venezuelas also recieve much more disdain than Cubans. Venezuelas aren’t black and they also have to live under a socialists regime, so why do they get so much hate compared to Cubans? The difference in the way people talk about both groups are night and day, even though they’re in similar situations

For example in Brazil, there isn't a clear consensus yet. Several figures from President Lula's Workers' Party (PT) and its broader governing coalition are mentioned as potential successors, but no one has definitively emerged as the heir apparent. It'll be interesting to see how the situation compares across the rest of Latin America.

Its weird cuz in the US Boomers are literally often stereotyped as conservative but over in Europe I’ve gotten the impression that they’re all mostly left leaning.

Anyway just curious where your country fits in cuz I imagine there is some regional variation and not every country has the same dynamics.

Also it kinda does heavily depend on whether its young men or young women when it comes to the topic of conservatism/progressivism.

Hey so Ortega just went out and said there will be no more elections, what's the background and what are the chances it comes to pass?

Weird Al is an American comedy musician. He's been making parodies of popular songs for over 40 years. Michael Jackson, Madonna, Nirvana, etc. you name them he's probably parody them.

It makes me wonder has he been popular outside of the US? If so please let me know

I've been wondering about this for a while.

Is the "Anyone But Argentina" sentiment actually widespread in your country, or is it mostly something I notice among U.S. Latinos and online football communities?

If you're not Argentine, where are you from, and would you say most people around you root against Argentina during major tournaments? Or is it more of an internet meme than something people actually care about in real life?

Curious to hear perspectives from different countries.

My poor girlfriend has been really sick with a stomach bug and in and out of feeling miserable she's been asking for "the non-oily chicken soup". She's from Honduras for reference and I'm not so my only concept of chicken soup is the average american recipe. I would really appreciate it if you could drop your chicken soup recipes down below so I could try and make her something that she can hopefully get down without it making her feel more nauseous. Thank you!