The Tao of Este'ban

When I'm discussing my Panama ranch with friends, family and acquaintances, the two questions I'm often asked are; “Do you speak Spanish?” and "How did you get to be known as Esteban?" I’ll tackle the language question first. The short answer is, “not very well, but I try…and that goes along way”.

The long answer goes something like this; When a foreigner, like myself, shows that he is making an honest effort to communicate in the local language, and is failing miserably, people tend to admire that. It’s as if they’re willing to give you a break because you're willing to allow yourself to be seen in such a pathetic and vulnerable position. While the person you’re communicating with is reveling in their sense of superiority, it's then that I brandish my secret weapon…charm. Charm is the universal language, it is understood among almost all cultures.

I’ve used charm as a secret weapon all over the world, and it’s saved me from some rather sticky situations, and also enhanced some other experiences. For example; I once disarmed an angry Chinese gangster in a casino in Macau. A situation, based on a misunderstanding, which could have easily ended badly...for him. In India, I was not merely invited to wedding by complete strangers, but bestowed the seat of highest honor at the celebration by the bride’s father, who publicly expressed it was I to whom he wished his daughter would be married. To my dismay, the entire wedding party agreed....including the groom. In Tijuana, I avoided getting beaten senseless in a darkened alley and thrown in a feces encrusted jail cell by corrupt police officers…all because of a well placed twenty dollar bill. Granted in two of the three examples, the other person spoke fluent English, the point still remains; You can go a long way just by being a likable person, and communicating in the universal language of charm.

When I'm in Latin America, I take on a different persona, I introduce myself as Esteban. It seems to work, because it allows me to step into character with the language and the culture. It also helps to minimize the distinction as a gringo or foreigner. It's like the Chinese. Ever met a Chinese person who goes by their traditional Chinese name? No, they all have the the most common of American names, Frank, Lynn, Bob, Jenny. They do this to fit in, and the Chinese are brilliant strategists. It's all part of the cross-cultural immigration game taking place these days. I've torn a page from the Chinese playbook.

Anyway, I've found in Latin America, there's something inherently charming about the name Esteban. It's spell is cast across all age groups, both sexes and the entire socio-economic spectrum. I haven't figured out exactly what it is about this name, but I don't need to know how this computer works, to get the benefits from it...do I? I just know it works like a charm.