Happy Sábado ☕
Today we go to Mexico City.
We are sitting in a small peluquería, the kind with one chair and a radio playing old songs. A young man named Emilio just sat down for a haircut.
His barber, Don Beto, has known him since he was a kid.
Something is bothering Emilio today, and Don Beto can tell.
THE SCENE 🖼️
Don Beto: Órale, Emilio, tanto tiempo sin verte por aquí.
Wow, Emilio, long time no see here.
Emilio: Ya sé, don Beto. Ando bien ocupado.
I know, Don Beto. I've been really busy.
Notice Emilio calls him "don Beto." That little word "don" is respect, like calling someone "Mr." but warmer. It tells you these two go way back.
Don Beto: ¿Ocupado o nervioso? Te veo raro.
Busy or nervous? You look strange.
Emilio: Me ofrecieron un trabajo nuevo. En Monterrey.
They offered me a new job. In Monterrey.
There it is. The real reason Emilio is in that chair today is not his hair. It is this. Don Beto just walked right past small talk and into it.
Don Beto: ¿Y qué dijiste?
And what did you say?
Emilio: Todavía no sé. Aquí tengo todo. Mi familia, mis amigos.
I still don't know. I have everything here. My family, my friends.
Don Beto: A ver, mijo. ¿Y qué te dice tu corazón?
Let's see, son. And what does your heart tell you?
"Mijo" means "my son," but it is not really about family. Older men in Mexico say it to younger guys they care about. It is a hand on the shoulder, in word form.
Emilio: Me dice que tengo miedo.
It tells me I'm scared.
Don Beto: Normal. Pero mira, el que adelante no mira, atrás se queda.
Normal. But look, he who doesn't look ahead, gets left behind.
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