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Originally Posted by seeker50
I think it all boils down to this : it depends on the tone of voice and/or purpose we use the term "gringo". I've been living for over five years in the U.S. and, I have met people whose physical outlines would certainly become a reason for many people in my turf( Honduras) to call them "gringos". By physical outlines, I mean blue or black eyes, white skin, usually blond hair..and English as a native language. And some of the people I have met think the way you do: the term is offensive to them. But others( I would say, the vast majority of those I have met up to now) do not find it that way but funny instead. To me, it is not offensive at all as long as your purpose is not evil towards the person you allude to.
Now, the other Spanish phrase you referred to(hijo de p***).. if either me or ANY person who uses it has not built up the right level of relationship allowing the use of such term with the other guy..other than being very offensive..I could guarantee that for all hell is going to break loose.
Overall, I understand your point. But I wouldn't even dare to make comparisons between the use of that phrase(hijo de p***) and the use of "gringo", nor would I use that Spanish swear when addressing someone unless a very special and/or specific level of interaction has been built up between that person and me.
To my understanding and from what I've noticed in the U.S. so far, the most common translation for that Spanish swear in English(pretty much accurate, which is "SOB") is not used in the same context(strong or not) in both languages. If I am wrong, well,.. please nicely correct me. But the Spanish swear you just referred to is quite strong.
As for the term «gringo» and its origin(as far as I know) I couldn't agree more with Vicente's and Julio Jaubert's anwers.
Best,
seeker50.
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I am in complete agreement with Seeker. The vast majority of people in The U.S. do not find it offensive. I actually refer to myself as a "gringo". It is a handy way to tell people who you are. It is much easier than "Americano", "Norte Americano", "de los Estados Unidos", etc. I know when it is being used as a pejorative simply by the tone of the person's voice. It is not the word itself.
I understand why Thomas doesn't like to be called gringo but it is totally unrealistic to expect that we are going to stop using that word or stop referring to each other by race or origin. It is basic human nature to put identifiers on people. You can call it what you want but we ALL do it. We identify people in physical ways so that others will know immediately who we are talking about. "the old guy. the black guy, the fat lady, the blond girl, the rich man, the tall guy, the bald guy, the Korean man, the Mexican, the latino, the gringo, and on and on....
My experience is that nobody who did not know me ever called me gringo to my face unless I had already used to word to describe myself. In Costa Rica, in particular, the people there are extremely polite and generally call me "caballero" unless they know me.