Article Two

Expectations usually vary, but they are all similar to America once again. Venezuelans
take great pride in their country and the heroes of the independence movement. Most cities have
a Plaza Bolvar that occupies a block near the city center. It is rude to behave disrespectfully in
that plaza. Venezuelans admire honesty, generosity, and a good sense of humor. Their fondness of
talking, joking, laughing, and spontaneity often creates a party-like atmosphere wherever they
are. At the same time, Venezuelans tend to be forthcoming and are not afraid to talk about their
personal problems with others. People are more important than schedules, and arriving a few
minutes late is not offensive. Scheduled events may last longer than expected. People do not
become impatient if required to wait for service at businesses, banks, or other public institutions.
Venezuelans are proud of the beauty of their country and of Venezuelan women; they proudly
point out that winners of international beauty contests are frequently from Venezuela. They also
welcome and are accommodating to tourists. Loss of prosperity over the last decade has caused
Venezuela's once relatively large middle class to have to focus on making ends meet. Still, many
are optimistic that they can work out their current problems, and they maintain a sense of humor
in the face of difficulties; a common saying goes, Al mal tiempo, buena cara (In bad weather, put
on a good face). Neighbors tend to watch out for each other in times of distress.
When it comes to traveling, Venezuela is a little underprivileged compared to the United
States. Most people use public transportation; few Venezuelans can afford to own a private car.
Those who have cars usually keep them for at least 10 years. Buses (which are often
overcrowded) and taxis are common, but the por puesto is the most popular form of
transportation. It features a system of taxi-like automobiles that travel a regular route throughout
the city, picking up and letting off passengers at any point. The cost is less than a taxi but more
than a bus. In recent years, the number of motorcyclesincluding mototaxishas exploded, as
social programs have enabled the country's poor to more easily afford the growing number of
inexpensive bikes imported from China. The government is working to better regulate these
motorcycles, which offer cheap transport but are also often involved in fatal accidents and crime.
Lastly, their lifestyle is very important, their structure is strong and most families are
close-knit, gathering for holidays and aiding each other during times of medical or economic
distress. If members of a family are affluent, they customarily share their wealth with lessfortunate relatives. Households commonly include members of the extended family, usually
grandparents. The elderly are treated with great respect, and grandmothers are especially revered.

They often pass on religious and moral values to their grandchildren. The housing consists of
Preserved Spanish colonial homes that can be found in major cities, especially those located in
the interior of the country. Such buildings are spacious, with large rooms, central patios, and
balconies. They were built using bahareque, a technique of adding mud to bamboo walls. Huts
built on stilts, called palafitas, or churuatas, are found along the shores of Lakes and are
inhabited by indigenous Guajiros. Marriage and dating are all the same when it comes to
traditional american dating and marriage values, but most weddings include two marriage
ceremonies: a civil ceremony for legal recognition and an optional religious ceremony. The
ceremonies may be separated by one day or many according to the couples preference.
Religious ceremonies are an important part of the Venezuelan culture because of the Roman
Catholic influence. Some milestones include the quinceaera (15th birthday) celebrates a girl's
transition into womanhood. A reception is held that includes lots of food and music. The most
important moment is when the young woman dances the waltz with her father. Venezuelans are
legally considered adults at age 18, when they are allowed to work, purchase alcohol, vote, and
join the military. Some sports they play are baseball. It is very popular in Venezuela, and several
baseball players have been hired by major league teams in the United States. Children play
baseball in yards, at parks, or on the street. Young children lacking proper equipment may play
chapita, a type of baseball in which a bottle cap is hit with a broomstick. Lastly, their main
holidays include New Year's Day, Carnaval (two days before Ash Wednesday), Ash Wednesday,
Easter (ThursdaySunday), Declaration of Independence Day (19 Apr.), Day of Workers (1
May), Battle of Carabobo (24 June), Independence Day (5 July), Simn Bolvar's Birthday (24
July), Day of Indigenous Resistance (formerly Columbus Day, 12 October), Christmas Eve,
Christmas, and New Year's Eve.