Viva Yo

In the book, Iberia, James Michener describes a Spanish phenomenon which we found enlightening, called "Viva Yo."

You won't find Viva Yo in a dictionary. As Michener explains it, some time ago there was a competition for the cartoon which best expressed the Spanish character. The winner, without a close second, was one showing an arrogant little boy urinating in the middle of the street and spelling out the words, "Viva yo." The loose translation is 'hurray for me' but the core of the phrase is the implied second half, 'and to hell with everybody else.'

Understanding Viva yo helps one to understand the Spanish psyche. Michener gives the example of when the little car barrels right down the middle of the highway, forcing everyone else into a ditch, you don't swear at the driver. You say 'Viva yo' and you understand what happened. When you pay big bucks for a seat at a fútbol game and find it occupied by someone else who will not move, you don't punch him (this happened to us at the Barcelona vs Milan soccer game, see blog post Barcelona - Day 3). You say 'Viva yo' and steal another seat; of course, as Americans, we didn't do that but rather had the usher help us out instead. Viva yo can make for some confused looks between us, and sometimes annoying situations -- such as the incessant Spanish habit of cutting lines -- but with a little patience, it can be weathered and accepted.