10 Struggles You'll Know Very Well If You're an Introverted Latina
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I'm an introvert in certain social situations, but also a Latina — these two factors don't tend to mix, in my experience. Family get-togethers, especially growing up, were some of my most dreaded moments. Those first five minutes after walking through the door were the ones when I knew I was going to be put in the spotlight. Someone was going to ask, "Did you already say hi to [insert family member names here]?," and I was going to be watched closely until I made my way around the room. It made the introvert in me want to skip these events.
The more I grew up, the more I preferred quiet corners, reading, and engaging in a one-on-one setting. Growing up also made all those struggle moments I had even more apparent . . . and gave me a longer list of situations I didn't want to encounter again. Here's to reliving them ahead but never having to awkwardly say hello to anyone again.
That feeling when your mom passes you the phone to talk to your relatives is panic.
It's what you considered hot potato, and you do not want any of it.
When your mom publicly asks, "Have you said hi to everyone yet?," you die a little bit.
And then everyone watches as you loop around the living room kissing cheeks and hugging. Why, Mom?!
Your quinceañera was a nightmare.
If you had three birthday wishes, all of them involved disappearing so people would stop looking at you.
When your family publicly asks about your love life, you want to be the Homer GIF.
Your face gets red and all you can see is a group of familiar faces that can send you into a high stage of panic.
Your preferred seat at a family party is in the corner . . . by the wall.
It's less likely you'll be forced to dance with a random cousin if you're sitting there where no one can see you.
You have to take deep breaths before entering your parents' home.
Because they'll ask so many questions when you walk in, your head will spin.
More than once, people have asked you if "you have friends."
Yes, I like to read, and yes, I spend a lot of time with family, but, yes, I have friends.
Being the oldest cousin asked to lead an activity or game was literally your nightmare come to life.
You didn't know what to do, how to lead it, or how to get out of it, so you were like, BYE!
You start sweating of "vergüenza ajena" when your little cousins have to perform a song in front of the grandparents.
You've been there, and it triggers a special kind of scary flashback.
Voicing your "I'd rather not" opinion to anyone in your family is dangerous.
You'll worry about saying no, then you'll do it and realize why.