Comments on: Learning to Assimilate Impermanence with No Hay

By: trudy beddow

trudy beddow — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 22:40:07 +0000

Gringa here. The most comical instance for me was going into an OXXO after a long flight and waiting 2 hours for checked luggage and trying to buy a Coke. Cashier denied me bc she said “no cambio” for a 27 peso drink when I handed her a 20 peso bill. Fortunately for the 15 people in line behind me the lady behind me had 27 pesos in coin and paid for my Coke. I gladly gave her the 20 peso bill.

By: Corinne Vaillancourt

Corinne Vaillancourt — Mon, 29 May 2023 22:41:56 +0000

In reply to peter obrien. ?? Entitlement is rampent within the gringo community. My rage has been awoken at times witnessing such behavior.

By: William LeVan

William LeVan — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 17:16:37 +0000

In reply to Firstlast. I didn't read his comment as angry, but frustrated at the people he's met that seem to want everything and now, while forgetting those who lead simpler lives and who have so little.

By: Firstlast

Firstlast — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 17:11:41 +0000

I frequent “Tony Paperlaria” , a well stocked stationary emporium with reasonable pricing. Only problem, they only accept MX credit cards)

I was searching for a small notebook that would fit in a shirt pocket. I asked two employees..”no hay” Yes, having lived in MX for thirteen years, not to be deterred, I found the pocket notebooks on a readily available shelf. I bought four in case “No hay” became a reality.

By: Firstlast

Firstlast — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 16:58:07 +0000

In reply to peter obrien. Life is brutal Peter. Instead of spending time venting your anger concerning people's lifestyle, better to spend your time enjoying yourself.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 02:48:46 +0000

Never take “No” or “No hay” as your final answer. Say “Gracias” and go ask somebody else. In my experience living in Mexico for quite a while now, about half the time they do have what you’re looking for. You’ve just asked the wrong person.

By: Marcos

Marcos — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:38:18 +0000

Here in San Miguel they say, “se acabó”.

By: peter obrien

peter obrien — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 14:37:11 +0000

Behind all the comments here, there is the unstated (unrecognised) belief that you entitled to have anything you want, as soon as you want it. In actuality this is a belief manufactured and sold to us by huge commercial entities and their parasitic ad agencies. This totally unfounded belief is an important part of the wage trap that keeps people both enslaved and needing more. Needing more, right now. Read this article again but as you do remember that a large portion of the worlds population can’t get a glass of clean water, let alone any food; for themselves or their children. Then sit back in your upmarket cafes with your lattes and tell each other harrowing stories about peanut butter shortages, Wake up!! What bought you here?

By: Colette and Philip Pepperell

Colette and Philip Pepperell — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 21:57:47 +0000

Great post!
“No hay” is a common phrase down here in Ecuador as well and comes up a lot at the grocery stores. Even the huge Megamaxi (supermarket chain) down here in Manta, which theoretically has everything, when they run out, it could be ‘no hay’ for weeks and months.
All part of the “Aventura de Cultura”! Love it!

By: B.Buckman

B.Buckman — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:11:05 +0000

As the writer states ‘no hay’ could mean never in the provinces, I know because that’s where I live. Over the years I have heard the phrase ad nausea and since we are within 70 kilometers of Leon folks here always add: ….’en Leon hay’.
I agree with Oscar, it’s simply a matter of poor management. A store, even a large chain store, will stock a case or two of a product, say Skippy Peanut Butter, and they will sell quickly. Then, instead of recognizing they have a good seller and making sure they have ample in stock and means for ordering more the product simply disappears. Some will return eventually but some never return. I’ve asked an employee where a certain item is that I’ve been buying for months and will receive the ubiquitous ‘no hay’. No matter how I try to convince them that I have bought said item in this store for a long time I’m given a quizzical look which seems to say; ‘Are you sure? Perhaps you mean some other store because here ‘no hay’.

By: Ozzie

Ozzie — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:12:38 +0000

Sounds just like Puerto Rico.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:48:43 +0000

A great response, Oscar!