Although this assessment may sound very direct and even derogatory, my thoughts have come to the conclusion that both in the capital (Lima) and even more so in its more distant provinces or departments, its inhabitants are very narcissistic.

A very distinct society that was once a colony of the Spanish Empire and, despite at least 400 years having passed, continues to apply and use very elitist expressions.

There are towns in the provinces or departments of the mountainous region of Peru where many of its inhabitants still retain their root or mother tongue (Quechua) or (Aymara). And people or visitors who speak or express themselves in Castilian or Spanish are judged, mocked, or looked down on for not speaking their own language. Something I consider incorrect and discriminatory!

I'm not from here...

I'm really letting off steam saying this...

I've been living in this country for about 8 years (I know, I know you're writing this or sounding like a resentful and depressed migrant).

But I assure you it's not that.

And I think my adaptation to their dialect or their way of expressing themselves was due more to my initial need to fit in at the beginning or moment of my arrival, obviously in the struggle to get a long-awaited job that would provide me with a roof and food to start with!

Wow, I'm grateful for myself because after so much time I've achieved so much, starting with my mental stability and the stability of my family, who are currently here.

Now, to stay within context, I want to give my opinion based on the facts, since I work in sales and have direct contact with countless people every day.

Here in Latin America, unlike in Europe, the United States, or more advanced countries, there are different forms of digital payment, but paper money is still widely used (junk money).

I've had several situations where I've been able to appreciate how narcissistic the people of this country are by nature.

But yesterday, something happened to me that made me reflect and put my ideas together to create this post.

Around 4 p.m., a young woman wanted to buy several items from me (I sell cell phone accessories).

I had actually had a very slow day selling, and she paid me with a 100 soles bill, which is equivalent to approximately 25 dollars...

Come on, I'm very happy!!

But because of my bad day selling, I didn't have enough money to collect and give her the change!!

And we began...

On the bus where I was selling, there were at least 50 people. The first person I asked if I could change my ticket was the driver, and his answer was no!!

And so I went up and down the aisle asking almost everyone while the bus was stuck in traffic and moving slowly.

Some looked me up and down. Others didn't even answer my polite question of could I please change my ticket, and so on...

The end result: I couldn't complete the sale due to lack of cash or change.

The reason no one helped me was because they simply didn't know me and simply assumed my bill was of dubious origin or counterfeit.

Feeling discrimination like that isn't pleasant... But it happens a lot in this city. There's no empathy, no helping hand, no support among themselves!

Imagine if they didn't support each other, even those with the same facial or social features, let alone someone they know or identify as not from here.

It's so true that there's a popular saying here that goes...

"A Peruvian's worst enemy is another Peruvian."

Taking this into account, we must understand that it's a very marked social trait, and that they instill it in their children as well! You can see it in low-income or poor communities, in the upper-middle class... Now imagine the level of narcissism exhibited by the citizens of this capital who truly have power and belong to the elite...

This is the blunt and fixed way these people live, and if we add to that what's currently happening in society and its accelerated pace, it increasingly pushes you to think individually, to act individually, and to only consume and buy for yourself...!! Because you deserve it because you are the best person in the world! They push you to believe you are better than others!! And that you impose that way of thinking on your children!!

I think that before that, we should learn and teach our loved ones the benefits of empathy... Of being kind and sharing that feeling of well-being and freedom that each of us needs, and that many of us haven't felt that way for a long time.

Free!!

And share the best in each other... The best that we carry inside!!

Thank you for reading.