Calling all SPANISH SPEAKERS--should I be offended?

Question

These guys I work with call me:

Mamacita, chiquita, bonita, sancha and also add -ita to my name.

I know that Chiquita means little girl literally and Sancha means mistress or lover on the side literally and bonita is pretty, but what is the general meaning of these words?? Is it rude of them to say, should I be offended?

They are very sweet and nice people, but the only thing is should they be saying this stuff if they are married or in a relationship?? Also they like to touch a lot...cultural or should I tell them to stop?

And the touching isn't just a simple pat on the back, they will squeeze my shoulder and keep squeezing it, or hug me or poke my sides or stroke the back of my arm or neck..still "innocent?"

Answer 1

i would tell them to stop..... i guess it depens on the situation, and i don't know the guys, but it seems like they're harassing you. if it ever makes you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, you should tell them to stop, and if they don't, tell a supervisor.

regardless of language or cultural things, you should never feel uncomfortable. and you asking this question on here leads me to believe you do (even if it's a little).

and for me, the touching thing would really bother me. i know in some cultures, touching is more acceptable, but we're in america, so they need to learn that it's not ok with everyone.

Answer 2

Hello!

If you get bothered by their behaviour, tell them politely to stop, explaining that you're not used to this.

About the words, I think it sounds a bit like here in Brazil when someone calls you "gata". "Gata" means a very pretty girl, but some people apply this to girls in general, in every situation. So, probably this is something cultural. I believe they use these words to call you like "girlie". If you're the only woman and also the youngest person at work, probably they'll call you this way.

And, about hugging, here in Brazil it's very common that people greet their friends hugging. If a man and a woman are close friends, they greet themselves hugging and even kissing on the cheeks and it's completely innocent... So, I can understand your Spanish friends, because it seems to be cultural.

Again, I tell you: if you get bothered by this, talk to them, I'm sure they'll not be offended and will understand that these are cultural differences.

Answer 3

In the way they are directing these words at you, they mean the following (NOT their literal translation):

Mamacita = honey ("Honey, you're fiiine!")
Chiquita = baby ("Mmm, baby!")
Bonita = Good-looking ("Hey, good-looking!")
Sancha = Princess ("Yes, princess?")

Again, these are NOT literal translations, as they are NOT said in the vein of a literal translation.

If you work and get along well with them and have worked together for a relatively considerable time, I wouldn't be offended, as they are more of a friendly way of telling you they like you and think you're pretty (they're all basically used, if you want to pick ONE expression in English, to say along the lines of "Hot stuff"). IN NO WAY do these expressions constitute sexual harassment in themselves, unless after reading the translations above you think it's inappropriate.

The fact that they're married doesn't make it wrong that they use these words, however, it would be rude if they did it in front of their spouses. NEVERTHELESS, if (given the translations above) you think that it might make you uncomfortable, tell them to stop.

As for physical contact, yes, Latinos tend to touch a lot (esp. mexicans, from whom such expressions hail), so yes, it is a cultural thing, and depending [on all the factors above mentioned], it might or might not mean anything...but if ANYTHING bothers you, you need to tell them to stop. YOUR culture is also impotant and should be respected, regardless of what another person's culture is, especially if they are using their customs while interacting with you. The same would go for you; if it's from them to you, they owe you the respect, and if it's from you to them, you owe them the respect, regardless of where either of you live.

As for your name, that I would definitely ask them not to modify in any way at all, but that's just me. A name is given to a person for a reason, and I believe it should remain the way it was given (very few people, such as incredibly close friends or family should be allowed to call you by a diminutive of your name).

Good luck! :)

Answer 4

They are saying you that you are so beautiful. In South America says chiquita (literally is little) but they don't want to say you that you are short.

sorry, I'm Spanish, my English is not very good. i hope you understand me.

Answer 5

Sorry but it's Part of the culture. If you don;t like it then don't hang around them or "us". The ita is a diminutive it is to transform any adjective to a "cuter" way. If you want to deal with it then tell him in particular to STOP (with character) and that would be it. If not kick him in the nuts, that'll fix him.

Answer 6

They do that because you allow them by not putting a stop to it, in México girls don´t let guys from work or school do that if they don´t want to be treated that way because in México girls that allow it are considered to be loose ( easy ) guys try to treat women like that testing how far they can get with them. If I were to advice you I would tell you to tell them to stop it.

Answer 7

If you are uncomfortable with it, tell them to stop.

-ita is simply a suffix meaning little (referring to female, feminine), -ito is used for masculine.

Answer 8

just ask them if they know what sexual harassment means.