Spanish 101 (Mexican style)

Here are a few phrases, words or cultural gestures that are really catching my attention:

WORDS / PHRASES

ahorita = in a minute, in 10 minutes, later today, tomorrow, possibly never.
Used often because of the tradition of "Mexican time" that I am slowly adjusting to anticipate (and at times appreciate). I hear it most often in work to answer a kid's nagging question - in this context it is "Not now"

Gracias a Dios = Thanks to God (¿Cómo estás? Muy bien, gracias a Dios. = How are you? Very well, thanks to God.)
This is heard often in daily conversation as a gratitude to what some might consider "the little things." Ironically, what we might take for granted and consider "little things" are sometimes challenges here and not at all little. Health, having a roof overhead, having bread on the table, and being happy are those "little things" that we might not thank God for daily. Here, however, it is appreciated greatly and gratitude is given openly and often for being blessed with the "little things"

pachanga = BIG fiesta

¿qué onda? = what's up? A very common way to greet friends, slang.

buena onda = cool (La pelicula es buena onda = the movie is cool. Ella es buena onda = She is cool / good people)

andale pues = alrighty then (more or less).
Used in several contexts, no direct translation) normally as an addition to saying goodbye.

andale = alright (more or less). Also used in several contexts, from a filler phrase of agreement to "get going"

güera = fair skinned (me)
This is heard often when walking around Cuernavaca. It can also refer to lighter-colored Mexicans

hijoles = Oh no! / Oops / CRAP! / Unpleasant surprise

orale = WOW!

A poco = Really?

chamaco/a = guy/girl. Often used to refer to adolescents or children. Slang.

chavo/a = guy/girl. (Same)

¿eh? = ok? / huh? (Duerme bien, ¿eh? = Sleep well, ok? Que interesante, ¿eh? = How interesting, huh?)
Used at the ends of comments, sometimes elliciting a yes/no response from listener. Think: Canada or U.P.



GESTURES:

(index finger pointing up, curl in and out, in and out, like you are scratching a wall) = yes
We nod our heads up and down and they move their finger up and down. Different gesture, same meaning. I have picked this one up quickly and will expect to only get more and more accostomed to using it. Forewarning to all you back there - be ready.

(one hand open, palm facing chest, fingers parallel to ground, up and down "waving motion" of fingers only (not wrist) like you are trying to dry off your hands) = WOW!
When one can't say "Orale", one does this. Also picking this one up, but slowly. Still easier just to blurt something out verbally.