'Respeto,' 'relajo' and interpersonal relations in Puerto Rico

Lauria-Perricelli, Antonio

article

'Respeto,' 'relajo' and interpersonal relations in Puerto Rico

Anthropological quarterly • 37 (2) • Published In 1964 • Pages: 53-67

By: Lauria-Perricelli, Antonio.

Abstract
In this study Lauria notes that in all the languages of the world there are a certain set of cliches or trite statements that tend to describe and evaluate the behavior of individuals in that particular society. Here the author examines the various cliches in Puerto Rican society which function to interpret the social relationship between individuals in which each of the participant mutually present and maintain a certain image of self. This knowledge of self and the image of self is accomplished through the use of symbolic idioms which serve to integrate the society. In this work these idioms are represented by the concepts of [n]respeto[/n] (a quality of self which must be presented in all interpersonal relations), and [n]relajo[/n] ( a form of joking interaction involving privileged insult, banter, etc.). Each of these idioms are discussed to great extent in this document.

Social personality

Semantics

Humor

Social relationships and groups

Ethics

Ingroup antagonisms

Ownership and control of capital

Labor supply and employment

Labor relations

Slavery

Puerto Ricans (Island)

HRAF PubDate