Example Of Mosaic Culture In San Diego, California Essay

San Diego, California is a city that is situated quite close to the border. Outsiders often think of San Diego as being heavily populated by Mexican immigrants, illegal or otherwise; however, in reality, San Diego is an incredibly diverse, sprawling city that encompasses many different ethnic groups and socioeconomic classes. Different ethnic groups populate different areas, and each different area has its own flavor.
The Convoy and Pacific Beach area of San Diego, however, is particularly interesting. While geographically quite close, Convoy is about five miles east of Pacific Beach, and the two cultures could not be more different. Convoy is populated mainly by Korean and Chinese immigrants, many of whom have moved to the United States and opened up massage parlors, restaurants, and pool halls. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of life in Convoy is the amazing number of pool halls and karaoke bars.
Pool halls in a predominantly Asian community like Convoy are different than the stereotypically American pool halls. In Convoy, these pool halls are empty spaces filled with a number of pool tables. The tables are rented by the hour, and alcohol is banned from the premises. Unlike American-style pool halls, which frequently feature a bar, these places are designed for people of all ages to congregate and practice pool. The difference is subtle, but still noticeable, particularly upon entering one of these pool halls, it’s easy to see that Korean and Chinese culture is still very much alive in San Diego. English is not the language that is spoken predominantly, and teens hang around in groups speaking in their family’s native languages.
Eating in Convoy is also a different type of experience. Convoy really retained the community eating nature of the Asian immigrants who came and settled there; the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans all share a similar, community-style eating philosophy, and eating in any of the restaurants in this area means sharing food from large platters with the people that are in the group. It is a completely different eating experience; it allows for bonding between friends and family in ways that western-style eating does not.
It’s strange to see the second- and third-generation children of immigrants interact with the older generations; they have retained the language and the mannerisms of their family’s culture, but they can also interact flawlessly within American society. Watching children, teens, and young adults pass fluidly through cultural barriers is fascinating; they have adapted well to American society, but they still retain their cultural heritage through the older generations.
As a potential traveler to the area moves through Convoy and towards the beach, however, the scenery changes. Pacific Beach is the quintessential Southern California beach town; rife with hippies, drugs, college students, and bars. However, Pacific Beach is also heavily populated with Brazilian immigrants, which makes for an interesting culture that sets Pacific Beach apart culturally from the other beach towns, and from the geographical location that it is part of.
There is a decidedly laid-back, devil-may-care attitude that is present in Pacific Beach. Clothing standards are lax, bars are open late, and young people swarm all over the boardwalk whenever the weather is nice enough. The Brazilians bring their food, their language, and their music to Pacific Beach, of course, but the most notable thing that they bring is the attitude.
Brazilians are notoriously laid-back, and even for a beach town, Pacific Beach is relaxed. The boardwalk area is sometimes referred to as “Little Rio,” after Rio de Janeiro; the clothing and music is all reminiscent of what one would hear on the beaches in Rio.
These two locations within San Diego are mere miles apart, but they are vastly culturally different. Each culture has brought something unique to San Diego, and each have adapted well to the lifestyle there.