Is Gringa/Gringo a friendly term or not?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Eymi

New member
Jan 24, 2009
10
0
0
Was just wondering if Gringa/Gringo is said in a friendly manner or as an insult when they are speaking about you?
Thanks x
 

El_Uruguayo

Bronze
Dec 7, 2006
880
36
28
It's a neutral, easy way of referening to you. No need to feel insulted unless "gringa" is coupled with "estupida", "tonta", "imbecil". Its term for foreigner or american, but doesnt necessarily cary any negative connotations.
 

Gringo

Bronze
Jan 1, 2002
1,314
58
0
My Dominican wife of 15 years still refers to me as The Gringo.... gee hope its friendly :)
 

pyratt

Bronze
Jan 14, 2007
690
100
0
I introduce myself as "Gringo" all the time....the nickname was given to me by a Cuban friend of mine when we were kids....it stuck. His mother recently found out my first name, after 30 years of calling me "Gringo"....I always responded to her as it was usually followed with an offering of cuban coffee, cuban pastries or a kiss on the cheek.

It's GOOD to be "Gringo"!
 

boca chica dave

New member
Sep 25, 2004
272
4
0
My father in law refers to the chicken bought in la Sirena as pollo gringo.Even though its Dominican chicken As posted it depends on context; for the most part it seems to mean a non-latino
 
May 31, 2005
1,489
21
0
My father in law refers to the chicken bought in la Sirena as pollo gringo.Even though its Dominican chicken As posted it depends on context; for the most part it seems to mean a non-latino

Could it be because it did not come from the backyard? I have heard this term before.
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
17,849
984
113
Yes, that's it. Same with eggs - 'huevos gringos' are intensively produced, 'huevos criollos' are the farmyard, free range variety.
 

alicious

Bronze
Oct 2, 2007
631
9
0
40
As with all comments on this thread...CONTEXT.

Personally though, I do find it to be an insult to be called a gringa.

Honestly, most Dominicans to call you to your face gringa, unless you are very close with them and they are joking, if they call you a gringa/o I doubt they mean it in an endearing way.

If you are close to them, and they are sort of joking around with you..then it may be acceptable.

Other than that, as I said, I would consider it not the most positive way to identify/address you.
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,262
363
0
i have always believed that "gringo" is more of a term used to identify people and is not pejorative. just like "gordo", "flaca", "moreno" or even "negro" - which is considered very offensive elsewhere.
in some cases it will depend on the context and the tone of the voice. but then, if spat out in the most vicious manner even "mujer linda" may mean rather "stupid, empty headed doll" rather than "pretty woman"...
 

Lambada

Rest In Peace Ginnie
Mar 4, 2004
9,478
413
0
81
www.ginniebedggood.com
Many of the foreign residents here call ourselves gringo and gringa - it lets locals know we're not prickly or uptight and don't take it the wrong way. After all, there are usually more important things to be concerned about :cheeky:.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.