Living in another country for an extended period provides an opportunity to observe the people and culture at a more nuanced level. Being an outsider, we noticed things that surprised us but were unnoticed by the locals. Here are 10 observations about Honduran culture.
1. Cappuccinos
Cappuccinos are the number one drink ordered at city cafes. There are no Starbucks in Honduras! Instead, the national chain is Espresso Americano which has a few locations in the U.S.
2. Cafe ‘Regular’
When ordering coffee, it is assumed you’ll want sugar, so the options are ‘regular’ (a packet of sugar) or ‘dieta’ (a Splenda packet). Milk is not offered unless it is part of the beverage order, such as a latte. There are no ‘café con leches’ or brewed coffee with milk, so common in Spain; order instead the cappuccino or latte for an espresso with milk.
3. Good Friday and Easter Week
Like other Latin American countries, Hondurans are predominantly Catholic and take very seriously Semana Santa or Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. While in the U.S., Sunday is the big celebration, for Honduras, Good Friday has the most events planned by the Church and community and the day businesses are closed. The processions and reenactments of Christ’s crucifixion can be very solemn and dramatic.
4. Locals celebrate at Hotels
Locals like to have parties at hotels. With tight living spaces and small homes, Hondurans entertain at public places, like restaurants, parks (El Picacho), and hotels. Big hotels like Real Intercontinental and the Marriott in Tegucigalpa are busy every weekend with weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, and quinceaneros (big birthday parties for girls turning 15), to retirements. Extensive catering and live bands are common.
5. Live Music
It is not unusual for events and parties to have live musicians, ranging from full bands (guitar, stringed bass, and jazz groups) to karaoke. Honduran ranchera music mixes alongside American hits from the ’90s.
6. Milk Flavors
Milk changes in taste depending on the season. During winter and the dry season, cows eat hay and are dry. During summer and the wet season, cows eat fresh growing grass, which is rich in nutrients. This grass-fed milk is thick, rich in beta-carotene, and the color of butter. Milk becomes whiter and less viscous after the initial weeks of lactation.
7. Mantequilla
In Honduras, mantequilla refers to two things: 1) butter- the equivalent butter in English and sometimes referred to as “mantequilla amarilla” (yellow butter), and 2) crema- like sour cream but creamier and slightly sweet. This Honduran-style mantequilla is a favorite condiment and sauce with baleadas and meats. Want to make mantequilla crema at home? Add a pinch of salt to your sour cream or use cream cheese as a substitute.
8. Local marketing- Facebook
Local restaurants and businesses often do not have a website but use Facebook, a free and easier platform to update with promotions and news.
9. Fast Food
Fast food chains adapt the menus to the flavors and ingredients of the area to appeal to the locals. McDonalds in Honduras served Mango Peach McFlurry, as mangos and peaches are locally grown fruit. El Pollo Rey, an extremely popular fried chicken franchise, served ‘pollo tenders’ (chicken tenders), pollo sandwiches (chicken sandwiches), and chicken kabobs with mango or lime, just to name a few, with Coca-Cola or lemonade. Note the mix of Spanish and English, indicating fried chicken as an imported idea and not an original and traditional Honduran food.
10. Birthdays
The Birthday Song features the birthday cake and Coca-Cola, indicating the influence of American culture and practices on the birthday celebrations. Often a piñata is part of birthday activities for entertainment.