Hondurans Know How to Hustle

If you read this blog on a routine basis, you know that I returned from Honduras one week ago.  Several have asked about the trip so I thought I would share a little bit now and then about my impressions and what I saw while in one of the poorest countries in Central America.  According to the International Monetary Fund, the per capita GDP of Honduras is $4,194.  Compare that to the United States of $46,860!

There is no real social safety net in Honduras so everyone must figure out some way to put food on the table.  The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well mainly out of this necessity.  I saw all sorts of examples of this during my 10 days there.

At the Airport

There are many individuals who hang out around the entrance to the airport to help people with their bags in the hope of scoring a tip or two.  This was my second visit having gone in October of 2010 as well.  Interestingly, I saw a few of the same people this year as last hustling around helping with bags.  As we were leaving, there was one gentleman who picked up some of the luggage from our group, ran ahead to the gate, and then came back for some more.  He was literally running through the airport so he could get another set of luggage.  He then got the tags that are required for carry on items and placed them on all of the items we planned on keeping on the plane.  I didn’t have any checked luggage for him to carry but did tip him and his friend $2 American knowing that some in our group are less generous.

As we were waiting for the plane to arrive that would take us away, I saw him with another American looking couple at the coffee stand translating their order.  His English was halfway decent.  I suspect that hanging out at the airport all day with a few International arrivals each day is a good way to keep up those English skills.  I was really impressed with his drive and determination to help out for tip money.

On the Road

One of the most interesting things that I saw occurred while we were navigating the city.  The public department is either non-existent or poorly capitalized since the roads are more pot holes than asphalt.  (Somebody had been stealing the manhole covers so spare tires had been placed in the opening to keep cars from driving into them.  An unusual site but not part of the hustle story.)

Anyway, the potholes can get quite big so a few enterprising gentlemen were filling them with dirt.  They had wheelbarrows and shovels and when they finished filling one, they would stop for a little bit and hold out their hands to accept tips from passing cars for their work.  Then they would move up the street to another and repeat the process.  Each had several bills in their hand, and it looked like by early morning they had acquired the equivalent of a few US Dollars.  My guess is that they would make about half of the GDP in a day’s time.  It was probably enough to keep a full belly for them and some family members.

Too bad the homeless in the US don’t have a shovel or a trash bag or two.  I am sure that there are other tasks that might be worthy of a tip as opposed to making a sign out of cardboard and a marker.

In the Town

One of the more popular tasks in town for the women and children is to work making tortillas for sale throughout the village.  I am not sure if there are a limited number of people who do this, since there would be little demand if everyone was doing it.  But I am sure that if it weren’t profitable to some extent, it wouldn’t be done.  The women in the house will make the tortillas, and the kids would walk up and down the streets selling them.

Last year, we encountered a little old man and woman who made baskets out plant material.  They had all sorts of different sizes and were making them while we watched.  I ended up getting one for that is about 6 inches in diameter and about 2 inches deep for 10 lempira which is the equivalent of 50 cents.  Again, it probably represented half a days wages for this couple.  Several others in our group bought baskets as well.  I use mine for change in the office.

What’s Your Motivation?

For those in Honduras, the motivation is survival.  It can be a strong motivator to be sure.  Many of those who immigrate continue this determination and become wealthy.  The survival instinct is hard to extinguish.

But many of us in the developed world have side hustles as well.  There is even a complete Side Hustle Series at one of my favorite blogs.  So, my question would relate to your motivation.  For me, I want to get out of debt since it is one of my requirements before I can retire.  I want to be able to have more control of my time to be able to volunteer and travel.  Plus without the debt payments, I can give more to charity.  With 6 kids of my own, I am sure that I will have a few grandchildren as well.

Readers:  What’s your motivation?  Do you know how to hustle?