Learning to view life with “calmita”

I’ve mentioned before that there isn’t really a sense of urgency to get things done here. During the lunch hour people stroll leisurely around my neighborhood, their to-go food in hand. Those business cards I ordered were supposed to be ready last weekend, and they’re still not done.

Already, I’ve been told twice, in a nice Mexican way, to chill out.

The first person to tell me was our door man. I was frustrated with my apartment search, and how I had to walk everywhere. The doorman must have seen my scowling face as I was leaving, because he told me, “Tranquila. Con calmita, con calmita.” I was like… calmita? What is this word?

About a week later at the tianguis, I wanted to buy a granada china, which is a fruit I’ve never seen before. (Supposedly you pop the top open and pull out the seeds in one long, gooey mass.) The fruit stand chico and his chico associate quoted me 10 pesos for two. I began digging in my purse for change, but couldn’t find what I was looking for.

I was still digging when suddenly they said, nearly at the same time: “Tranquila. Tranquila. Con calmita.” I looked up. They stared at me like, Why are you rushing?

Then one of the chicos said, “Siete pesos está bien.” Apparently being a stress-ball is a good bargaining tool.

Really, though, “con calmita” has made me question why I rush so much in the first place. So what if I’m 15 minutes late? Everyone is late here. So what if I can’t find the correct change? These boys are just happy they’re getting something.

Yesterday Crayton and I went to lunch, and the waiter didn’t immediately bring our credit card receipt after we paid. Crayton wanted to flag the guy down, but I said we should wait. I didn’t say “con calmita,” but I thought it. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the waiter brought the receipt. This calmita stuff works!