Viveza criolla

Viveza criolla is a Spanish language phrase literally meaning "creoles' way of life" and may be translated as "creoles' cunning", describing a way of life in Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Venezuela, among other Latin American countries. It is a philosophy of progress along the line of least resistance and ignoring rules, a lack of sense of responsibility and consideration for others, and it extends to all social groups and throughout the whole country, although it predominates in Buenos Aires. Viveza criolla has been called "the principal cause of a moral, cultural, economic, social and political crisis". It is a similar concept to jeitinho brasileiro in Brazil.

Characteristics

Viveza criolla includes:

• Lack of respect for others and indifference to the common good in a framework of individual interests.
• Political corruption, which extends in all institutions, in the form of perks, direct appropriation of public funds, favoritism, nepotism, misallocation of state resources, etc.
• Extreme individualism, with mistrust of others. This includes having little ability to partner and cooperate in community goals. (Interpersonal trust is a key component of social capital, which is crucial for economic development and proper functioning of democratic institutions.)
• Anomie or weakening of the common morality, and social deviance as behavior that departs from generally accepted standards in society.
• The habit of blaming problems on others, thereby encouraging paranoia and granting a permit to self-indulgence.
• The tendency to take advantage of or cheat others in favor of one's own self-interests, partially for reasons of self-protection and mistrust, but also to assert one's superiority and "quick-wittedness" over another.

Phrases

• Hecha la ley, hecha la trampa. -- "Made the law, made the loophole."
• Total, si no robo yo, robará otro. -- "In the end, if I do not steal, someone else will."
• El vivo vive del zonzo y el zonzo de su trabajo -- "The cunning lives off the sucker, and the sucker lives off his job"

Examples

The Hand of God goal by Diego Maradona was an example of viveza criolla

• Hand of God goal

See also

• List of English words of Spanish origin
• Street smarts
• Gérson's law
• Malandragem