What do Australians think about Latinas?

What do Australians really think of Latinas?

This was a topic that caught my curiosity when I first arrived in Australia because it took me a while to understand and adjust to the way Australians behave. I always wondered, what do they think about us?

Well, to write this article, I based it on comments and opinions I have heard from acquaintances, friends, and Australian colleagues about Latinas in general during my stay in Australia.

It’s important to highlight that these opinions are general and do not mean that all Latinas are the same. I am also basing it on what I have heard about me as a Colombian, but it’s possible that people from other neighboring countries have different personalities.

So let’s begin!

The behavior of Latinas

A characteristic I have often heard mentioned is that for a Latina, emotions are activated to the extremes—being happy means being very happy, or being sad means being very sad. However, moods are changeable, and both states can be experienced on a a single day.

Warmth and kindness: Australians highlight the warmth and welcoming nature of Latin culture. The openness to start conversations with others, even without knowing them, is something they really admire. The most common description is: Latinos are friendly, opened and people who smile often.

Intelligence: Latinas are very clever and smart. They understand everything quickly and are always in the loop. They also work hard and are very committed to the type of work they do.
They have a strong ethical sense of doing things well, not just to fulfill an obligation. This can be seen in many casual and professional jobs in Australia, where Latinos and Latinas work very well.

Perseverance until the end: Another characteristic that stands out from Latins is their perseverance in reaching their goals and objectives. "What they set out to do, they achieve, no matter how much effort and sacrifice it requires”. 

My husband met me during a time when I had three casual jobs and was studying for the IELTS. When he saw that I got the score I needed, he was very happy for me and said it showed I had a strong desire to succeed".

In my opinion, the fact that Latinos have not had everything handed to them on a silver platter and have had to fight for what they want makes them strong, resilient, and appreciative of what they have because they earned it through hard work.

They can be impulsive: Some Australians who are in a relationship with a Latina say that sometimes they are driven by emotions and make impulsive decisions without thinking twice before acting. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, but at times it can lead to stubbornness and difficulty to do agreements.

Latinas have big hearts: They love helping others and are always thinking of who they can assist, especially when it’s another Latino or someone from their own country who is in need in Australia. They are always looking for ways to connect that person in need with someone who can help them.

Indigenous cunning can be seen in two ways:
The first one is the cleverness and creativity that many Latinas have to never get stuck, to keep going, and not be easily deceived when there is a warning sign.

However, the other interpretation of "indigenous cunning" is when Latinos distrust others and always assume that other people will try to do them harm (this is something Australians don’t understand about Latinos). For example, it’s hard for my husband to understand why I’m so distrustful or why I assume negative things about people or situations without any evidence. It’s something I’ve been working on improving for many years, but it’s something he’s noticed not just in me, but in my family and friends as well.

Qualities that stand out

Pride in their culture and diversity: Latinas have a strong sense of belonging to their culture, customs, and ancestors. They love to watch or participate in cultural displays such as dancing, singing, or playing musical instruments.
They also wear accessories that represent their regions or are skilled in crafting something representative. They bring joy and good vibes when celebrating a holiday.

Family and traditions: Australians value the strong connection that Latinas have with their families.
Daughters are very close to their mothers, always telling them what happened during the day, and they like to talk to them sometimes twice a day. In Australia, it’s normal to talk to the parents once a week or even every two weeks.

Incredibly superstitious: "Latinas believe that Tuesday the 13th is an unlucky day, they wouldn’t walk under a ladder in the street, and they wouldn’t open an umbrella indoors. They also believe that if they get wet in the rain or leave their clothes wet, they’ll get sick”.

Culinary skills: Latinas love to cook and do it very well, especially in the context of celebrations and gatherings. In Australia, Brazilian, Argentine, and Mexican food are very popular, and in recent years, Colombian food has gained a lot of strength.

They love to look good: Latinas are very image-conscious (in a good way); they care about their appearance and enjoy looking good and having their own style.
They put effort into what they eat, how they dress, enjoy exercising, and also getting their nails done, which often encourages more than one Aussie to improve their dress sense to keep up.

Cleaning: Latinas love cleaning the house on the weekends with music and by opening all the windows. The truth is that Australians are more relaxed about cleaning, but no one escapes on the weekend—everything must be clean and tidy.
“You must wear "flip-flops" inside the house and you cannot walk barefoot because parasites can enter through the feet”.

Curiosities about Latinos

• They won’t sit in a bus seat where someone else has been sitting until the seat "cools down".

• They make chicken or beef soup with potatoes whenever they have a cold because it’s considered the best cure.

• They disconnect all electronic devices at night because they say it consumes energy.

• They leave the plastic covering on new electronic devices forever because it helps protect them from damage.

• They love cheese and put it on everything. The most surprising examples are putting cheese in hot chocolate or fruit salad.

• Latinas have not finished lunch yet and are already thinking on what's on for dinner.

To finalise

In general, Australians have a mostly positive perception of Latinas. In the last five years, there has been a notable increase in the number of Latinos in Australia, making it much more likely that Australians will encounter or integrate with Latin American culture through work, friends, or even by dating someone.

The Latin combination of warmth, vibrant culture, and a focus on family resonates well within Australian society. I truly believe that Australia will continue to embrace diversity, understanding, and appreciation for Latin culture, as long as there is mutual respect for Australian norms and culture from the Latinos side.