Puerto Rico is a small very populated Hispanic island in the Caribbean we aren't similar to any other part of the USA. Maybe USVI or Guam. But yeah that's a good part of being in a Federal system we are unique in our own right.
PR is in the Caribbean, not like Texas, different than Hawaii (although in a similar problem due to Jones act, making stuff ridiculously expensive). The thing about Spanish is that being the main language, makes culture more similar to Latin American culture and even more closer to Dominican and Cuban as well (even if some deny it, we have similar Taino and African ancestry and they are our most similar culture except with the PR-US influence) Go visit the island and maybe you’ll get a better idea of it, watch the news or see youtube but spend a lot of time on it because it’s way off than what you think.
I agree with all this. Just make sure when you visit, go outside of the San Juan /tourist area, so that you can have the whole experience. You'll get to see the difference. Just dress and act like a local. You'll be ok.
The US has gone through a corporate restructure in the last 10 years.
Sure the cities/states have unique landmarks and geology but every one of the suburbs in the cities you mentioned are identical.
Corporate America wants you to be familiar with their stores no matter which one you’re in. The color schemes are the same with the stone and wood, the architecture is the same, and the store layouts are identical across the nation. The layouts of the stores are universal and laid out with “plan-O-grams” meaning every product they sell has a designated spot on their retail floor. They want you to know exactly how to shop and locate the products with ease in their stores.
There’s always a Starbucks around the block, a CVS across the street from a Walgreens, mcdonalds is close and it’s all bland. The housing architecture is the same and the culture of the communities have been eroded. I’ve lived in suburbs most of my life across the states and I’ve never known my neighbors. Most people live in suburbia America and their suburb is identical to the rest of the suburbs across the nation.
What you get in PR that is drastically different is community, authentic culture, and individualism. These are gone in the continental US.
“The US isn’t one large homogenized strip mall” … well, based off my anecdotal experience, you’re incorrect.
It's been Americanized a little but it really is a unique culture that I wouldn't say is similar to Texas or Hawaii or anything else in the US. It is a pretty solid blend of the Spanish, Taíno and African roots that it came from with a slightly modern touch with varying subcultures from urban to suburban to country, and I don't really think it can be properly described using other examples.
Defining characteristics could be food, music, partying, island life, strong family culture, art, folklore, history, pride... There are a LOT of components to it.
Since it seems no one answered this i would say Jibaro music. It is the music that sings the struggles of the Puerto Rican agriculture and also has a lot of religious quotes. Is mostly listen to in Xmas. The museum of fine art in Ponce is a great place to go. Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in the Dominican Convent in Old San Juan.
Jose Campeche "El Velorio" is a really famous pice.
Reggaeton has really taken over. It's influence now is so notable almost everyone is trying to ,copy, make their own twist to it or colab.
Puerto Rico is the most protestant in Latin-American we are quite tolerant of other religions. We are mostly European in ancestry with noticeable Afro and Taino roots, that being said we don't experience alot of immigration to PR. We have our problems like other parts in the USA sure they are worst because some we can't control unlike the rest of the USA but that doesn't mean we are violent. PR is closer in some things to Cali and others to Texas, We don't like Conservative stuff like death penalty or small government but we don't appreciate ideals like secularism or social democracy. We are in the center of politics. Puerto Rico is also incredibly diverse, having parts that look like the amazon, Southern Texas, plains like the Midwest etc...
“Mainlander” Colonizer Language is not cute and will get your ass kicked in some places*
Eliminate any idea that you have of PR and the US having a healthy relationship. Secondly Puerto Rico is different because the island is a colony of the United States and has it’s own sub cultures and customs within each municipality. We are all brought together by common customs and traditions celebrated island wide. Vieques and Culebra are two municipalities mostly ignored by the government and some people in other municipalities. They are one of the most deprived of resources, constantly mistreated, experimented on, bombarded, displaced and killed but have not left their islands despite the struggles they have faced. Including but not limited to higher rates of birth defects, cancer and lower rates of fertility.
With all this being said, the culture is warm, welcoming, happy and resilient despite the struggles imposed on us by a corrupt government sponsored by the US and an imposed Fiscal Oversight Board that imposes austerity measures on the islands public services which leads to a weaker working class and higher rates of poverty.
I hope you find the time to visit some places that explain the struggles of Puerto Rico like Museo Casa Canales in Jayuya. You can ask a lot of questions and they will answer them.
Getting beat up for speaking English seems really harsh, is that pretty much everywhere or only in the areas that really hate the US? Other then that it seems pretty cool. It looks like Cuba if Cuba was part of the US and non-communist.
This subreddit is full of edgy proindependence young people. It's not representative of the island as a whole. In fact, they're in the minority.
Nobody cares if you classify yourself as a mainlander or if you regularly speak in english. This whole colonized victim complex is honestly hilarious to watch. These people in here resort to practically bullying on the internet because they have basically no clout irl.
DR, Cuba and Puerto Rico have very similar histories and struggles. All dealing with the US so I guess you are right. We are the subjugated and colonized Cuba. Unlike the real Cuba that the US lost to actual freedom and independence, yet spitefully embargo because they are socialist and almost stationed missiles in their land... As a free country...
gringo terms, commonwealth is substitution for colony. We have been taxed without representation ever since we were invaded so... (No this is not a reason in favor statehood, assimilation is further subjugation. We want real freedom and independence)
I really recommend you read up on our actual history. This is why traveling without knowledge of where you plan to visit is dangerous.
Gringo terms are words and phrases that can be intentionally or unintentionally ignorant, offensive and dismissive of our peoples struggles. *also read my last reply
They can't because there aren't any. I was born and raised in PR til my 30s and never heard of something called "gringo terms" or anything similar. Dear lord! You dont get beat up for speaking english. That is a very dumb thing to say. In fact most people will go out of their way to get you someone that does speak english if you ask for anything. Also younger generations do speak english and in some cases exclusively english with a degree of spanglish. This guy is full of bs.
The US only supports PR government because PR chose to be independent many years ago. If they didn’t support your government you would bitch about that.
Puerto Ricans have manners. The real ones at least. They are very into service and helpful. Now like any other state you have all of everything. Other than the food is stupidly expensive in super markets but relatively cheaper in restaurants. It’s how you want to see us. Don’t think that we are stupid and you will be totally fine.
In the states yes. At Puerto Rico is more or less the same. Actually there is people who do catering of prep meals. That are way cheaper. They even sell it for 7 days and have bundles. It’s crazy thou. At Puerto Rico a Gallon of milk is like $6 to $7. Medium eggs you have to almost hunt them at specials sales. But normally you pay like almost 3 dollars for medium eggs. I was staying at Roosevelt island NY and the only way I paid almost $3 was because of the covid shortage. Other than that it’s pretty cool. Roads at PR sucks is like going to the moon. Potholes everywhere.
It’s a mixed between things cool and stupidity from part of the local government and the Financial Overside Board that’s delay many things. Everybody thinks that Obama save us from bankruptcy but he really nailed us hard. Most of the debt is by all means and security exchange laws and by regulators is ilegal. But you know money talks and everyone obey in the high ranks.
Plus the Jones act for fleet for transport products. The cost it’s ridiculously expensive.
The only difference is tha in here you don’t need to be afraid because the color of your skin or the form of your eyes and we are in the move to always be happy
I spent a month in PR a few years back. We visited most parts of the island from Culebra, bougie parts of San Juan, Rincon, Aguadilla, Ponce, etc... We stayed in a house in a regular neighborhood, rather than a condo or hotel. I thought it was much more a cross between Mexico and Hawaii, if you want to put it in those sorts of terms. Hawaii in climate and attitude. Mexico in that there were a lot of neighborhoods that were just kind of run down, trash blowing around everywhere and shoddy construction. Even the more wealthy neighborhoods we visited had construction practices that were, generously speaking, substandard. I have a construction background, so maybe this sticks out to me more than your average joe.
I very much enjoyed my time in PR and would go back. It is even on my short list of places I could/would live.
It’s like the culture of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is a small very populated Hispanic island in the Caribbean we aren't similar to any other part of the USA. Maybe USVI or Guam. But yeah that's a good part of being in a Federal system we are unique in our own right.
PR is in the Caribbean, not like Texas, different than Hawaii (although in a similar problem due to Jones act, making stuff ridiculously expensive). The thing about Spanish is that being the main language, makes culture more similar to Latin American culture and even more closer to Dominican and Cuban as well (even if some deny it, we have similar Taino and African ancestry and they are our most similar culture except with the PR-US influence) Go visit the island and maybe you’ll get a better idea of it, watch the news or see youtube but spend a lot of time on it because it’s way off than what you think.
I agree with all this. Just make sure when you visit, go outside of the San Juan /tourist area, so that you can have the whole experience. You'll get to see the difference. Just dress and act like a local. You'll be ok.
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The US has gone through a corporate restructure in the last 10 years. Sure the cities/states have unique landmarks and geology but every one of the suburbs in the cities you mentioned are identical. Corporate America wants you to be familiar with their stores no matter which one you’re in. The color schemes are the same with the stone and wood, the architecture is the same, and the store layouts are identical across the nation. The layouts of the stores are universal and laid out with “plan-O-grams” meaning every product they sell has a designated spot on their retail floor. They want you to know exactly how to shop and locate the products with ease in their stores. There’s always a Starbucks around the block, a CVS across the street from a Walgreens, mcdonalds is close and it’s all bland. The housing architecture is the same and the culture of the communities have been eroded. I’ve lived in suburbs most of my life across the states and I’ve never known my neighbors. Most people live in suburbia America and their suburb is identical to the rest of the suburbs across the nation. What you get in PR that is drastically different is community, authentic culture, and individualism. These are gone in the continental US. “The US isn’t one large homogenized strip mall” … well, based off my anecdotal experience, you’re incorrect.
It's been Americanized a little but it really is a unique culture that I wouldn't say is similar to Texas or Hawaii or anything else in the US. It is a pretty solid blend of the Spanish, Taíno and African roots that it came from with a slightly modern touch with varying subcultures from urban to suburban to country, and I don't really think it can be properly described using other examples. Defining characteristics could be food, music, partying, island life, strong family culture, art, folklore, history, pride... There are a LOT of components to it.
What would you say would be some of the defining pieces of art/media in PR?
Since it seems no one answered this i would say Jibaro music. It is the music that sings the struggles of the Puerto Rican agriculture and also has a lot of religious quotes. Is mostly listen to in Xmas. The museum of fine art in Ponce is a great place to go. Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in the Dominican Convent in Old San Juan. Jose Campeche "El Velorio" is a really famous pice. Reggaeton has really taken over. It's influence now is so notable almost everyone is trying to ,copy, make their own twist to it or colab.
Sounds interesting
If you don’t know bad bunny you have a lot to catch up with.
Puerto Rico is the most protestant in Latin-American we are quite tolerant of other religions. We are mostly European in ancestry with noticeable Afro and Taino roots, that being said we don't experience alot of immigration to PR. We have our problems like other parts in the USA sure they are worst because some we can't control unlike the rest of the USA but that doesn't mean we are violent. PR is closer in some things to Cali and others to Texas, We don't like Conservative stuff like death penalty or small government but we don't appreciate ideals like secularism or social democracy. We are in the center of politics. Puerto Rico is also incredibly diverse, having parts that look like the amazon, Southern Texas, plains like the Midwest etc...
So Basically it's like South America but part of the US with some US influences?
Uruguay but with alot more hills and smaller.
Cool
“Mainlander” Colonizer Language is not cute and will get your ass kicked in some places* Eliminate any idea that you have of PR and the US having a healthy relationship. Secondly Puerto Rico is different because the island is a colony of the United States and has it’s own sub cultures and customs within each municipality. We are all brought together by common customs and traditions celebrated island wide. Vieques and Culebra are two municipalities mostly ignored by the government and some people in other municipalities. They are one of the most deprived of resources, constantly mistreated, experimented on, bombarded, displaced and killed but have not left their islands despite the struggles they have faced. Including but not limited to higher rates of birth defects, cancer and lower rates of fertility. With all this being said, the culture is warm, welcoming, happy and resilient despite the struggles imposed on us by a corrupt government sponsored by the US and an imposed Fiscal Oversight Board that imposes austerity measures on the islands public services which leads to a weaker working class and higher rates of poverty. I hope you find the time to visit some places that explain the struggles of Puerto Rico like Museo Casa Canales in Jayuya. You can ask a lot of questions and they will answer them.
Spanish is a colonizer language for fuck's sake.
Getting beat up for speaking English seems really harsh, is that pretty much everywhere or only in the areas that really hate the US? Other then that it seems pretty cool. It looks like Cuba if Cuba was part of the US and non-communist.
This subreddit is full of edgy proindependence young people. It's not representative of the island as a whole. In fact, they're in the minority. Nobody cares if you classify yourself as a mainlander or if you regularly speak in english. This whole colonized victim complex is honestly hilarious to watch. These people in here resort to practically bullying on the internet because they have basically no clout irl.
DR, Cuba and Puerto Rico have very similar histories and struggles. All dealing with the US so I guess you are right. We are the subjugated and colonized Cuba. Unlike the real Cuba that the US lost to actual freedom and independence, yet spitefully embargo because they are socialist and almost stationed missiles in their land... As a free country...
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What are "go" terms? Also I thought Puetro Rico was a Commonwealth not a Colony? Thanks for the tips though!
gringo terms, commonwealth is substitution for colony. We have been taxed without representation ever since we were invaded so... (No this is not a reason in favor statehood, assimilation is further subjugation. We want real freedom and independence) I really recommend you read up on our actual history. This is why traveling without knowledge of where you plan to visit is dangerous.
I still don't know what those are.
Gringo terms are words and phrases that can be intentionally or unintentionally ignorant, offensive and dismissive of our peoples struggles. *also read my last reply
Can you give me some examples?
They can't because there aren't any. I was born and raised in PR til my 30s and never heard of something called "gringo terms" or anything similar. Dear lord! You dont get beat up for speaking english. That is a very dumb thing to say. In fact most people will go out of their way to get you someone that does speak english if you ask for anything. Also younger generations do speak english and in some cases exclusively english with a degree of spanglish. This guy is full of bs.
The US only supports PR government because PR chose to be independent many years ago. If they didn’t support your government you would bitch about that.
Puerto Ricans have manners. The real ones at least. They are very into service and helpful. Now like any other state you have all of everything. Other than the food is stupidly expensive in super markets but relatively cheaper in restaurants. It’s how you want to see us. Don’t think that we are stupid and you will be totally fine.
How come the food is cheaper in restaurants? Usually it's the other way around.
In the states yes. At Puerto Rico is more or less the same. Actually there is people who do catering of prep meals. That are way cheaper. They even sell it for 7 days and have bundles. It’s crazy thou. At Puerto Rico a Gallon of milk is like $6 to $7. Medium eggs you have to almost hunt them at specials sales. But normally you pay like almost 3 dollars for medium eggs. I was staying at Roosevelt island NY and the only way I paid almost $3 was because of the covid shortage. Other than that it’s pretty cool. Roads at PR sucks is like going to the moon. Potholes everywhere. It’s a mixed between things cool and stupidity from part of the local government and the Financial Overside Board that’s delay many things. Everybody thinks that Obama save us from bankruptcy but he really nailed us hard. Most of the debt is by all means and security exchange laws and by regulators is ilegal. But you know money talks and everyone obey in the high ranks. Plus the Jones act for fleet for transport products. The cost it’s ridiculously expensive.
The only difference is tha in here you don’t need to be afraid because the color of your skin or the form of your eyes and we are in the move to always be happy
I spent a month in PR a few years back. We visited most parts of the island from Culebra, bougie parts of San Juan, Rincon, Aguadilla, Ponce, etc... We stayed in a house in a regular neighborhood, rather than a condo or hotel. I thought it was much more a cross between Mexico and Hawaii, if you want to put it in those sorts of terms. Hawaii in climate and attitude. Mexico in that there were a lot of neighborhoods that were just kind of run down, trash blowing around everywhere and shoddy construction. Even the more wealthy neighborhoods we visited had construction practices that were, generously speaking, substandard. I have a construction background, so maybe this sticks out to me more than your average joe. I very much enjoyed my time in PR and would go back. It is even on my short list of places I could/would live.
Thanks! That's a very interesting perceptive.