I´ve started wondering about cultural differences and similarities between Gringos and Mexicans. Here are some observations from our friend David Town. I would REALLY like to know what some of you Mexicans think about us Gringos! You don't have to sign if you don't want to--Esther
2012/1/22 David Town <[email protected]>
David's Discoveries and Eccentric Rules of thumb:(General comments not especially applicable to anyone, in particular, but to everyone)
1. Try not to be or appear to be in a hurry when listening to, talking to, and interacting with Mexicans.
2. Realize that fate and resignation are very important, in Mexico, as are courtesy, humor, and being liberal and gracious with one's time and energy. If upon coming here, Mexico seems more formal than the United States, it is, on numerous levels, but the formality is neither stiff nor stuffy, per se, in my view. It is democratic in that it respects the inherent, intrinsic, and acquired dignity of individuals, transcending class, status, and economics, per se. The matter of courtesy, in my view, is very important-it means that every man and woman is worthy of respect and has dignity. Mexicans, even in business, like to chat and have some personal give and take,before getting to the point, and, remember, in Mexico, the point may not be the point that you are taking for granted or are attempting to deal with, believe me! Ha. I am not being frivolous nor superficial in mentioning this.
3. If truly interested in getting to really know Mexico and the Mexicans, express an interest in their children, their parents, their animals and pets, their grandchildren and their grandparents, dependent on the age level that you are dealing with.
4. If you have problems with pronunciation of words in Spanish, ask people how to say a word, or, to repeat it, slowly, watch them as they speak, develop diplomatic eye contact, don't appear distracted, bored, unattentive, or disinterested. In Mexico, being a good listener is important, and, frankly, multitasking is a part of dialogue and conversation. on more levels, than you would likely assume, upon arrival in Mexico. I fully realize that I am preaching to the choir but I am sharing my ex periences and observations, James and Esther.
5. There are nuances, subtleties, and regional differences one has to learn, become aware of, understand, and master. For example, Eva Adelina, 20, a member of the family where I live, speaks much more rapidly, in a machine gun style, unlike her two sisters and her parents.
As a result, one might conclude Eva Adelina is brushing you off, is detached, is in a hurry, and is not really interested in you, and, those assumptions, upon knowing her, as time evolves, are absurd. She merely speaks fast as do many people that live on the coast, in Mexico, do, but Eva Adelina has never lived on the coast. In general, people in the mountains or upper plateaus speak more more distinctly than people do in the lowlands. People in Naolinco speak slower than people in Xalapa, Jalapeños speak slower than people in Coatapec, and people in Coatapec speak slower than people, on the coast, or in the port city of Veracruz. These distinctions and nuances are important, socially, culturally, and historically.
6.There are regional and local differences in Mexico, in terms of culture, cuisine, language, social manners, and attitudes, to a greater extent, than in other places. Mexicans in Jalapa and in Coatepec, especially, Catepec eat a lot of potatoes, mashed, in patties, boiled, mashed with salsa and hot sauce. Rice and beans are very common in Xalapa and in Coatepec but, in Coatepec, black beans, while used in restaurants, are eaten less in homes in than in Xalapa. Butter beans, pinto beans, habas, and other dried beans are popular in homes. The hospitality issue: When offered food to sample, a treat, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, atole, juice, graciously accept the offer because refusealto do indicates rudeness or some might conclude that you think what you have been offered is beneath you.
7. Do not flash your money in public. Years ago, in San Miguel De Allende, I was exchanging dollars for pesos, at a bank, and a Gringo, talking to another Gringo, in my line, said "I always regret trading real money for this crap". Many Mexicans don't understand English but many do, and attacking their currency, whatever the problems of the peso, is tantamount to attacking their sovereignity, is very rude, and I was embarrassed, and remember, this incident, all too vividly, thirty five years,later. Body language and vocal inflections often speak volumes, by the way.
8. It is best not to discuss Mexican politics, in public, and, if you do so,even in private, do so amongst intimates and good friends, because, the truth is, under the Constitution of 1917, still in effect, for foreigners to discuss Mexican politics, in public, can be used asa reason for deporting a foreigner, even if these lawsare rarely enforced, admittedly, they can be, and they have been. What are the reasons for this being a part of the Mexican Constitution? French and United States intervention in Mexico, historically, and the aggressiveness of foreign commercial interests, in Mexico, during most of the nineteenth century, and part of the early twentieth century. Best wishes and warm regards. Godspeed.
As Always,
David G. Town
David G. Town