English translation: Papaya served; papaya eaten.
What do you think this proverb means?
(a) This is a proverb about being thankful for what you are given. For example, when going to dinner at somebody's house, you should eat everything your host serves you.
(b) This is a proverb about seizing opportunities. It means that when somebody offers you an opportunity, you should take advantage of it before somebody else does.
(c) This is a proverb about protecting yourself. It means that if you leave yourself open to being taken advantage of, you will be taken advantage of.
The correct answer is (c). It is a warning about being taken advantage of and can be applied to many situations: In relationships, if you are behave like a doormat, others will walk all over you. While walking, if you keep your wallet in your back pocket, you leave yourself open to pickpockets. Another use is when a teenage girl dresses provocatively, her mother might tell her to change her outfit because 'papaya served is papaya eaten.'
Thank you to my student Milagro for sharing this proverb
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