As we paddle by small communities, a small crowd usually gathers on the bank to wave at us as we go by. Most people shout "Buen viaje," which means "Have a good trip." Others yell, "Buen suerte," meaning "good luck." The majority of the people we encounter are very excited and curious to watch us pass by.
However, yesterday a curious thing happened. We paddled by a man in a canoe, and he waved and yelled something we hadn't ever heard before. We asked Ruben, Carol, and Warren to translate. They told Dave, Amy, and I that the man was worried we were going to steal his face. We weren't too concerned about it, until it happened again later that evening.
It turns out that there's a rumor throughout the Amazon that people with white skin will steal native people's faces. It sounds ridiculous to us, but people have said it to us 4 times now. Most of them think it's a joke, like a ghost story. But, the dilemma is how should we respond to the people when they tell us not to steal their face. Getting angry about it isn't going to solve anything. We also don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by being rude about it either. What should we do? This situation requires some cultural sensitivity, and we need your help.
Comments
Please tell them that you come in PEACE and you are just to try to preserve their beautiful habitat, not do any harm. We are all brothers and sisters, and bring them dinner so they understand your good intentions. Good luck.
1st period
SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 8, 2008 8:17 AM
I think you guys should make a joke out of it, because that gets people into a better mood so then a rumor will go around that you guys don't steal peoples faces
Posted by: TJ | April 8, 2008 8:24 AM
I think you should say that they are friendly because the natives must be afraid of people from other places
Posted by: Joe | April 8, 2008 8:26 AM
I think you could try to talk to the locals who find it funny, and ask them to tell the people who are afraid that it is not true.... that you are completely safe and you will NOT steal their faces.
Posted by: Sara | April 8, 2008 8:29 AM
You should talk to them.
Posted by: Zoe | April 8, 2008 8:29 AM
Maybe you should show that you are not going to do anything that will hurt them in any way.
Posted by: Declan | April 8, 2008 8:29 AM
You can say: Ok, you can keep your face!
Posted by: Jared | April 8, 2008 8:31 AM
I think that if you have the time, you should explain to them that you have no intention of "stealing their face". Tell them the true reason you are out there. compliment them and say things like, "We would never steal your face, we are mesmerized by the lovely towns you live in." This should make it a little less awkward for you and the natives. Buen suerte!!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 8, 2008 8:31 AM
I think that you should have someone in your group try to get the attention of a small group of people. You should try to explain to them that it is just a rumor that is not true. If it helps, you could start off by giving them a compliment like... you have all been so kind to us. or... You are all really great people. Then you should tell them that you are taking a trip through the amazon and you don't wish to hurt any of them.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 8, 2008 8:34 AM
I do not want to steal anything from the Amazon or you.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 8, 2008 8:35 AM
I think that you should tell them that you know that you are not going to steel their faces. Tell them that you wouldn't want to steel there faces in the first place.Also say that you wouldn't want to steel there faces because you really like them a people and you have a lot of fun being there.You really like having the oppurtunity to be there because you can't be there okn a ruglar day basis. Tell them you really enjoy being there.
i wish you the best of luck
Posted by: Esther | April 8, 2008 8:36 AM
I think you should talk to them and say Thank you and good bye to all and then say good luck to all and they would have a happy face and tell you thank you and have good luck to your trip they would say be safe and have a nice trip.
Posted by: Daniel R | April 8, 2008 9:36 AM
I think you should not tell them beacuse you will hurt them feelings and the problem will be is that they are going to be relly mad the people at white you guys.
Posted by: Andrea | April 8, 2008 9:41 AM
You should tell them that you don't steal peoples faces and you won't hurt them. You should also just stay calm or try to ignore it.
Posted by: Meadow | April 8, 2008 9:49 AM
I think you should talk to them and say that you will do no harm to there habitat.
Posted by: Julia | April 8, 2008 9:50 AM
You should tell them that you aren't there to hurt them in anyway. Also, tell them that you are trying to be friends with them and not trying to do anything harmful.
Posted by: Mariah D | April 8, 2008 9:52 AM
Give them a peace offering, such as a homemade meal or a fish you catch. Talk to them and tell them why you are there. Try to understand their tribal traditions and ask them if you can participate with them one evening. Try to explain to them about who we are also, so they are less scared.
Good Luck!
3rd period - SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 8, 2008 9:52 AM
You should tell them that you aren't there to hurt them in anyway. Also, tell them that you are trying to be friends with them and not trying to do anything harmful.
Posted by: Mariah D | April 8, 2008 9:52 AM
Put a sign on the boat saying, "we are not going to steal your face.". We think that they think that you are spirits who need faces. Get the word out that this is not true.
Posted by: Gary | April 8, 2008 10:03 AM
We think you should tell them that you don't like them saying your stealing their faces. And make peace with them.
Posted by: Mrs. O'Connor's little people | April 8, 2008 10:03 AM
We think that you should explain to the people why you are there to study the Amazon,and not to steal their faces!!!:)p.s give them a compliment,too.
Posted by: Valerie & Vivian | April 8, 2008 10:05 AM
I thnk you should tell them why you are there and tell them that white people do not steel native faces. Tell them that you respect them too. And compliment them.
Posted by: Komal | April 8, 2008 10:34 AM
You should call a meeting having to say that you don't want too harm them or their body parts,and Ruben can translate.Since they don't speak English. "Buena Suerte"
Posted by: Mr. F | April 8, 2008 11:08 AM
say were not here to still your face were here for the adventure
Posted by: nibah | April 8, 2008 12:00 PM
You should tell them " we already have faces and we dont want yours".
Posted by: Ibrahim | April 8, 2008 12:09 PM
Tell them that you come in peace and that you don't intend on harming them. Tell them that you enjoy learning new cultures. You could also tell them that you would like to be their friends.
Posted by: Mrs. Sicari's Class | April 8, 2008 12:30 PM
You can try to learn the language or have the translator say, "You have a wonderful face and you can keep it right where it is at!"
Posted by: 4th grade St. Joseph, Martinsburg, WV | April 8, 2008 12:43 PM
My 7th period says that you should try to explain to them why you are there and explain you are friendly and want to help. Jenny says that you should smile and make a peace offering - such as a plantain sandwich! Jessica wants them to let the natives know that this is not true and you would never hurt them. Hope this helps. Maybe an illustration would help remedy the situation.
Adios! Good Luck!
All my students say, "Hi!"
7th Period
SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 8, 2008 12:46 PM
You could have Ruben tell the people who said "you are going to steal my face" that you aren't going to steal their face. He could explain to them that white people would never do that.
Posted by: Mrs. Vesser 5S | April 8, 2008 1:17 PM
tell them to GET LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Brandon | April 8, 2008 1:19 PM
I think u should talk back theyll never respect you if u let them disrespect you....
Posted by: Sara | April 8, 2008 1:19 PM
i think that you should just ignore the people but respect their belives
Posted by: FATiMA | April 8, 2008 1:20 PM
Tell those people that it is impossible to steal there faces.You need surgery to do that. Also tell them that you are not harmful.
Posted by: sergio | April 8, 2008 1:20 PM
I think u guys should just tell the people over there that you,the team come in peace and will do no harm to them and there habitat.That u,the team are just visiting 4 a school project which u are.So see u in what happens over there u hommiez.
Posted by: Abigail | April 8, 2008 1:21 PM
Well find someone 2 help you translate to them that you're not trying to anything to them .Or just be as friendly as you can.
-Cesar E.Chavez School
Posted by: Anonymous | April 8, 2008 1:22 PM
i think you should tell people
that just cuz you are white doesn't mean you'll steal their face or get one of the translators to tell them well hope this helps talk to you guys later
Posted by: Roberto p. | April 8, 2008 1:22 PM
You should talk to them and say u come in peace just hanging out.You should explain why your there.Also just tell them your friendly.
CESAR CHAVEZ SCHOOL
Posted by: ivan | April 8, 2008 1:23 PM
you should tell them that they are only lies.
Posted by: R.C. | April 8, 2008 1:24 PM
Explain to them that is a just a legend and they are there to help the natives, not hurt them. Denton says you should offer them warm bread and bananas as a peace offering. Maybe even draw them a picture of how they will be peaceful and not hurt them.
Good Luck!
8th Period - SHJH
Posted by: Mrs. Hartley | April 8, 2008 1:32 PM
You should tell them that I would not want to hurt you. I would rather be friends.
Posted by: Corissa | April 8, 2008 1:57 PM
you should make it a joke
Posted by: Max | April 8, 2008 2:27 PM
I think you should try to communicate with them and tell them that you are just exploring the amazing land that they live on. Maybe they would understand because they really do think that their home is amazing. This could help you guys to become friends with them.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 8, 2008 2:27 PM
You should be nice and tell them that they can keep their faces!
Sofi
Posted by: Sofi | April 8, 2008 2:30 PM
Ask people who speak the language to reassure people that you will NOT steal their faces!
Posted by: Mrs. King's class | April 8, 2008 3:08 PM
I think that you should learn a "local phrase" that means peace and friendship. Then they will know that you are truly friendly.
Posted by: Mrs. Adducci | April 8, 2008 4:12 PM
We think that you should learn a native joke and respond with it whenever you are confronted with this issue. Laughter is the best medicine!
Posted by: kursta | April 8, 2008 4:26 PM
You should tell the Natives that it is a false myth and you are their friends
Posted by: michael 205 (s.j.c.) | April 8, 2008 5:02 PM
tell them you are nice and came to help them. if anything say you are going to help the rainforest.
Posted by: vicki | April 8, 2008 5:21 PM
Be friendly and don't get mad. Come up with a response like " iwon't steal your face if you don't steal mine."
Posted by: katie blyth | April 8, 2008 5:46 PM
you should tell them we are not stealing your faces we just wanted to explore your area.
Posted by: mckenna | April 8, 2008 5:46 PM
I think you should tell them that you wont steal their faces and you come to teach fifth graders and to analyze the beauty of the Rain forest.
Posted by: Rachel | April 8, 2008 6:36 PM