Peons in the cities do not receive a daily ration of beans, as is the
custom in the country, but are given money, “diario,” with which to buy
food. The Chilean peon cannot stand prosperity. As a general rule the
worse he is treated and fed, the better service he will render. This
applies more directly to the “inquilinos,” than to independent peons.
The rotos are polite to each other and salute when they meet by
touching their hats, saying “Buenos dias, Caballeros” (good day,
gentlemen). When asking for and receiving a light for a cigarette, they
say, “Mil gracias, Dios guarde Ud.,” (a thousand thanks, God guard
you). When a peon meets a superior who says, “como le va” (how do you
do), the peon answers, “muy bien, para servirle a Ud.,” (very good, I
offer you my services). They are rarely insolent to their superiors and
when sober, never. They are illiterate to the extreme, having no desire
to learn, but they are naturally clever and are capable of rendering
good service, where mechanical skill is not required. You cannot
out-figure one of them, and he will quickly remind you of any mistake
in a transaction, if it counts against him.
Among the roto class, grandfather, father and son all work together,
and have always been, as they are now, upon an equality in destitution.
Their only apparent ambition seems to be to work enough during the
week to secure a few pesos on Saturday night, with which to buy
“aguardiente” (raw brandy), “vino” or “chicha” (wine or cider) at the
“Cancha de Bola.” When a crowd of peons congregate at any one of the
many places where drinks are sold, in the country, first one buys a
litro (quart), and after taking a drink, he passes the cup, called
“potrillo,” to the friend next to him, and so it is passed until
empty. Then another buys a litro and passes it, and they continue
to treat each other until all are fighting drunk. This is continued
from Saturday night until Monday morning, and not infrequently until
Monday night or Tuesday. Employers of labor have learned by experience
not to expect anything from or depend upon their workmen for regular
service on Monday, as the majority of them are incapacitated from the
effects of drink--on Sunday. In the drinking places where the roto
spends his Sundays and feast days, in drinking and gambling, there are
always a number of women, “cantoras,” who join in the drinking, and
between drinks entertain the crowd with dancing and singing, playing
accompaniments on guitars.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account