Peruvian Whine

No, not the cutesy Green College spelling of wine, but actual whining. It's a strange fact that in Peru, when someone is asking for a favour or saying something in a supplicating, obsequious fashion, he or she will use a wheedling, high-pitched, whiney tone of voice. Almost like baby talk. It drives foreigners nuts, because it sounds like whining, but it is - among local people - a respectful and self-deprecating way to speak. It is mostly used by women and children, in my experience, and is virtually always used when one asks to borrow something. So, when a little kid in the street comes up to you and whines "buy some gum from me," he isn't being bratty but respectfully subservient.