Monday, March 10, 2008

Stereotypes

I don't like stereotypes. Making broad generalizations about people is usually inaccurate and closed-minded. However, there is usually a grain or two of truth in stereotypes. Like the stereotype that every Latino is named either Jose or Maria....

At our February meeting with the lay midwives, I asked them to introduce themselves again and tell which community they are working in. There were five women at this particular meeting. The first lady introduced herself as Maria Theresa, the next was Maria Santos, the next was Maria Elizabeth.....they all started to giggle. I exclaimed that there were three Maria's in a row. They giggled even more. We continued around the circle and every single woman's name was Maria. Incredible!!!!

1 comment:

Mark said...

Very funny. I currently have three Maria patients with the exact same name, first + last, and two of them are the same age.

I also have a mom with two daughter, all of whom are named variations of Angela: Angela, Angelina, and Angelica.

It can get very confusing.