The Land of Mañana

Mañana is the Spanish word for tomorrow. In this sense it refers to procrastination. One of my eldest son's teachers taught me the term. He refers to the Florida Keys as The Land of Mañana, where almost everything can be put off until tomorrow and nothing needs to really be addressed today.


There is an unofficial malaise known as Keys Disease. Some people come to live in this place, a place that is so much like a paradise, and it is a good experience. People seem to de-stress and unwind. For instance, I don't get all bent out of shape about driving in traffic anymore. There is one main road in and out of here and it's just futile to get crazy when there is a hold up of any kind that causes traffic. When I have occasion to drive on the mainland and get stuck in traffic I just don't let it bother me anymore. That is one example of the upside of living in a place like this and its laid-back attitude. I learned a sort of patient acceptance for things like traffic.

But what about when it contributes to inefficiency, laziness and un-dependablity? That is not cool. I found this definition of Keys Disease. I agree with kevin d's definition, but I think there is more to it. And it kind of governs, and infuses things down here. Like any small town or isolated area I expect that things will be done at a different pace. However, there are times when this gets carried to an extreme, and it is unnecessary. Here are a few small examples.

I have always struggled with the bad habit of being late. Down here I find myself tested to the limit, because I am early compared to most people. I think to myself, I'm not that bad, it's just a few minutes. It is that bad! Late is late and wrong is wrong. Our church service begins at 10:45 am, and there are at least 10-20 people that show up at 11:15-11:30. People are 10 minutes late to work more often than not. I feel so guilty for being one of them. "Better late than never," right? Mas vale tarde que nunca. I remember it from my old high school Spanish lessons, but there was also a phrase that immediately followed it: Mas vale tempriano que tarde!

"Better late than never, Better early than late!"

There is just a laid back spirit that gets carried too far down here. Keys Disease. Try not to catch it.


Above photo by olga.palma