Te Ves Más Gorda…

While leaving my house yesterday, I ran into Ana, my neighbor. We exchanged the typical pleasantries, a kiss on the cheek, how are you, nice to see you, yadda yadda. As we parted, Ana said to me, “Nancy, te ves más gorda! You look fatter!” I looked at her aghast. I had just come back from Peten, where it’s so hot it saps my hunger away, and I had just worked out. Man! What the heck! Unsure of what to say I remarked that I hoped I hadn’t gained weight. She replied saying, “No, te ves más contenta. You look happier.” I thanked her and walked away.

Later, at school I told this story to Beberly, who said that looking fatter is a compliment in Guatemala. It means, “you looking good, girlfriend!” I just looked at Beberly and started to laugh. I explained that in the USA saying you’re looking fat is quite an insult, a kick in the bootie. Ouch! There, we say, wow, have you lost weight?, oh you look slim and healthy. None of this looking fat nonsense!

That comment, paired with my 15 evangelical taxi ride where I was preached to the entire ride, made my day. There’s nothing like being told your fat and then getting lectured that doing good deeds is not what God intends because all that does is boosts one’s ego. I wonder what Jesus would say about that….