More of the white anglo part than the outsider.

Usually when someone says 'gringo' they mean it in a more derogatory way. And we use it for people who *usually* are non-Spanish speaking white people.

A more affectionate term that could be used is 'guero' which doesn't always necessarily mean "blonde."

Puerto Rico
 

Very interesting - I would speculate that this won't get passed the Senate. I had the pleasure in visiting the "El Conquistador" Resort about a year ago in Fajardo and had a really good time. Everything was a little bit on the pricey side but worth it. They have a really good light beer there that you can't get in the US. If this thing does pass the Senate I wonder if any of these types of goods will be better facilitated to get over to the US. Anyway, the beer is called "Medalla Light". It is sort of like a Corona or Land Shark beer but better. It definitely tastes great in that Tropical heat by the Caribbean. If you're ever down there and want more Medalla for your buck I would highly suggest taking a rental car and head out to "El Yunque" for a day. El Yunque is a natural Tropical Rain forest out there. You'll have a blast and if you take your spouse or significant other there is a natural waterfall at the foot of the mountain that you can hike to and get that "Token" snapshot. Anyway, on the way you'll come across a little Puerto Rican convenient store near a little neighborhood. There's no AC in there but they do keep their beers refrigerated. You'll be able to get a 12 pack for the price of 1 back at your resort or hotel. Of course there is a plethora of Rums in PR. That should be obvious for any fan of the Captain or Bacardi. We'll see what happens here. I imagine that accepting Spanish as a second official language would stir up some folks opinions and legacies. As long as they are getting Federally taxed like the rest of us I have no problem with it.

Cheers,

Boodleboy322

The thing with that is the United States as a whole does not have an official language.

True, but it's always interesting for the proposition to become "New Columbia" to pop up in Congress every few years. These people at least have to get a representative.

Thanks! I've been called "gringo" but not 'guero'.

Woooooow. That was neat. :)
This made me laugh a little, but I totally understand. I don't think this will get past the Senate either, but it'd be interesting if it did. I still feel like Alaska and Hawaii aren't widely accepted as states in most people's minds. Like people from Colorado are more likely to be called "Americans" than people from Hawaii. They're usually called "Hawaiians." If PR is added to the mix, I think it'll be the same.

I didn't realize the term "Hispanic" offends some people until I saw a debate about it in a movie. It kinda made me realize how much in this world can offend or be "not okay" with people that I just don't realize.

Just saw this. OMG that is so freaking good.

I completely agree. Hell, up until the 60s, we couldn't even vote for the President! (I say "we" as if I was alive in the 60s and lived here then... haha! :o)

Ha! I want to go back to PR now! I could also use a fresh mallorca from La Bombonera in Old San Juan (they cut them open and fill them with butter and serve them warm!) or a Brazo di gitano!

I've been called guero but never a gringo, which is good because I'm sure I'd get a little hot under the collar if that happened.

And don't get me started on the practice of referring to everyone with white skin Anglo. Maybe I'm wrong but if you're not from what's now northern France and the U.K. you aren't Anglo.

My husband is Brazilian and boy does he get riled up if he's every referred to as Hispanic or even Latino! The Hispanic objection is because they speak Portuguese and not Spanish. The Latino objection I have not gotten a clear answer on, I think it's more of colloquial usage usually assumes Spanish speaking and not the Latin-based roots.

We've had several people take the liberty of checking the Hispanic box for him on mortgage applications and the like. 1- don't assume based on looks and 2- people aren't required to provide that information, so it should be up to him. He gets even more riled up about that one!

Since there isn't a "Brazilian" box, I just check "Other" :) He would probably check Caucasian out of defiance but he isn't filling out the forms, so...

And back to your regularly scheduled programming... I'll be curious to see this one play out. I've always thought that (albeit a very small) part of the reason Puerto Rico, Guam, etc aren't states is because they don't want to deal with changing the flag. But that's the cynical part of me coming out.

Yeah, plus 50 is a nice round number. And congress is already a cluster. It's not like we really more of them running around. And besides, it kind of wreaks of a power grab. Like, if all of a sudden Puerto Rico becomes a State, those two extra senate seats could really change a lot of things.

At a time when it would be advantagous (sp?) for those already in congress who are pretty much forcing a non-issue. This is the Democratics version of the gay marriage thing. Our leaders are out their minds, and we live in a representative republic.

So, in summary, I think Washington, D.C. already has enough politicians, I don't think they any more. It's not like the ones there now are even doing their job right.

Okay, I don't want to sound dumb here, but I remember being taught in HS (albeit back in the late 90's since I graduated in 97), that D.C. is a part of Maryland. Like it is a "city" within Maryland. Um, when did that change? When was D.C. annexed from Maryland? Or was my teacher in high school just a moron? :D

I think Maryland "donated" the land to create D.C.

Yeah, that's about what I was taught. Basically. I was also taught that Alexandria was once part of it, but after the Civil War we (Virginia) got it back. I don't know if that's true or not. It might be.

The City of Washington is located within (situates and occupies) the District of Columbia hence the term Washington, D.C.