Mexican friendliness to a young American in LA

A friend of mine has a relative living near Los Angeles, a young woman I'll call Amy since I didn't get her permission to use her name. Amy is very pregnant with her second child, and her first one, a boy, has been going to the local public school. It's a rather rough area and Amy and her husband have had some hard times with things their son has gone through at school.

But a bright spot has been the friendships that Amy has made with two or three other young mothers, Mexicans whose children go to the same school. They speak little English and Amy little or no Spanish, but they all have managed to communicate.

The other day, one of the Mexican women indicated to Amy that she wanted to take her out for coffee the next morning after they dropped their kids off at school. Amy happily agreed. But the next day, when the two of them set off to have their visit, the Mexican woman realized with some embarrassment that she had forgotten her purse. She indicated it wouldn't be far out of their way to go by her house to get it, so that's what they did.

When they got to her house, she invited Amy in. They went in the tiny house... and it was filled to the brim with women and young children. Surprise! Sorpresa! It was a baby shower for Amy. No matter the language problems -- everyone had a great time.

Once Amy crossed her legs and one of the older women immediately came over and uncrossed them, speaking rapidly in Spanish. Amy didn't get quite why, but in the last month of pregnancy, Mexican women don't cross their legs!