In the states teenage girls tend to overuse the phrases “whatever” and “like” in their daily jargon. In my nearly five months as the caretaker of three Honduran teenage girls I have learned that the Honduran equivalents of this are the two phrases “Esta feo” and “No sirve.” These two phrases directly translate as “It’s ugly” and “It does not serve.”
In the practical usage of Nolvia, Nelly, and Marina these two phrases have been expanded to mean I don’t like it, I don’t care enough to try, I don’t feel like fixing it (or even better: why would you even think I would try to fix that myself), I am tired and therefore not going to accept anything you offer me, This is not exactly what I asked for, Why did you even bother to try if you couldn’t do it my way, Why are you still speaking to me, etc. You can imagine where this list is going.
One would naturally feel frustrated by these ambiguous and negative responses, but one must also remember that one probably said the same thing in their own native tongue to their caretaker or parent when sixteen as well. My sisters and I definitely did. I have therefore learned that one must remain patient, and learn that it is not to be taken personally, but rather with a grain of salt as a bi product of teenage hormones that can tamed but not eliminated. One also learns to laugh and grow in humility, both of which are wonderful side effects.
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