People and Population
- Asuncion is the capitol of Paraguay and is home to over 512,000 people
- The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani
- Soccer, or as they call it in Paraguay, Futbol, is the country's national sport
- 95% of Paraguayans are mestizo, which is a mix of Spanish and American Indian
- The official religion is Roman Catholic which 90% of Paraguayans practice
Greetings
- Man meeting man: firm handshake with direct eye contact usually combined with slight elbow touches
- Woman meeting woman: light handshake accompanied by a nod or smile, friends usually kiss each-other on cheek
- Man meeting woman: a regular handshake, friends will kiss on cheek, accompanied by a touch on arm or shoulder
Gender Roles
- Men: superior, higher salaries, more job opportunities, supposed to bring in the money for the family
- Women: expected to do most if not all the cooking, supposed to stay home, take care of the children, and clean
- Women didn't usually attend college
Student Expectations
- Students usually study law, as did their parents and grandparents
- Women don't go to college as they are expected to stay at home
Taboo Gestures
- The inverted "OK" sign is considered an obscene gesture
- Feet on a chair or desk or table
- Crossing of the middle finger and index finger is obscene
- Jeans and shorts are not acceptable in the workplace
Paraguayan Cuisine
- Terere Rupa: Combination of things eaten in the morning
- Terere: Traditional Drink, mixture of herbs
- Chipa: bread kneaded with yuca starch, cheese, eggs, milk, and aniseed
- Mate Cocido: a traditional tea
- Mbeju: a starch cake
Dinner Etiquette
- Dinner is served around 10:00
- Inviting people around 7:00 should not be done. Invite them at 8:00 - 9:00 and serve at 10:00
- Lunch is the main meal of the day
- Guests are served full plates of food
- Not finishing all food offered is considered a compliment to the host because it means he or she fed you well
- When at a restaurant, quietly raise your hand while saying, "Mozo" to summon the waitstaff
Recreation
- Popular recreational activities:
- Fishing
- Soccer
- The annual Transchaco Rally
- Golf
Music
- Popular music includes:
- Paraguayan Polka- a traditional dance
- Guarania- a special type of music created by Jose Asuncion Flores, and involves a harp and guitar
Musicians
- Jose Asuncion Flores
- Born in 1904
- Worked as a paperboy and shoe-shiner as a boy.
- 1922- first composition- a polka song called "Manuel Gondra"
- 1949- recieved the National Order of merit
- He refused to take the award and was branded a "traitor" by the mad dictator and was forbidden to return to Paraguay for the rest of his life
- Died in 1972 in Argentina
Holidays
- Battle of Boqueron Victory Day
- Celebrated September 29
- Battle was fought between Bolivian and Paraguayan armies
- This holiday commemorates this victory
- Everything closes on this day and everyone gets the day off
By: Conor Krewsun