What are Mexico folkways?

Answer 1

Traditions of general nature, more akin to Mexicans as a group include:

• Most Mexicans are Catholic and as such, most of them are deeply religious and conservative in character, specially on small towns and villages.

• Mexicans have a more relaxed sense of time, so arriving 15 minutes later than scheduled is OK with them - not so in business environments when they are the customer, as they could get pretty upset if you arrive late.

• Many foreigners think Mexico is 'wild country' where no laws are respected; it is a common mistake that often can land you in jail, specially if you are a foreigner.

• While overt racism is uncommon, one of the inherited traits from Spanish rule is that the 'whiter' a person is, the more power and privileges are associated with him or her.

• A related cultural conception to this is also the belief that beauty is a product of race, so people with European features can expect a lot of attention. However, people of Asian or African backgrounds can also be expected to receive more attention than when they were back home - specially women, seeMachismo.

• Machismo or male chauvinism is common in small towns and villages, but not so in larger cities. On such places, whistles and inappropriate comments directed to unaccompanied women are common as well.

• Common meal times are 8:00 AM (breakfast), 2:00 PM (lunch) and 8:00 PM (dinner). In Mexico, the most profligate meal is lunch.

• The 'siesta' is common on smaller towns and villages. Not so on larger cities, specially those with international populations such as Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey.

• Most Mexicans are reckless when driving, due to the lack of any proper driving test.

• Most Mexicans love soccer (called football of 'futbol' outside of the US). And most of them are polarized between the two most popular soccer teams: the 'Guadalajara Chivas' (Guadalajara Goats) and the 'Aguilas del America' (America Eagles) teams.

• Most Mexicans like maize-made tortillas.

• Most Mexicans love spicy food, but detest the so-called "Mexican food" found in the US as it is predominantly of Texan origin. It also means no burritos, no chili-con-carne and no sincronizadas nor tortillas made of wheat flour are on traditional meals.

• Most Mexicans have a love-hate relationship with the United States: they love the huge success and resourcefulness of American people, but hate the US government policies that were used to reach such success: mainly the Mexican-American War lost territories and countless incursions into Mexico by the American military.

• Most Mexicans are very conservative with traditional values but sympathize with liberal leaders such as JFK or Barack Obama.

• Topics like sex, politics and anti-church ideas are a huge no-no when talking to a Mexican, unless you are talking to a young Mexican and have a closer relationship with him/her.

• Most Mexicans have the wrong idea that the US is mainly composed of 'güeritos' ('whitey' people). This also means that many Mexicans are heavily bewildered when African American people ('negritos') travel or work in Mexico (just look at Denzel Washington's adventures in Mexico when filming 'Man on Fire').

• Most Mexicans have a general opinion on foreign tourists:
  • The young, partying kids known as spring breakers who travel to Mexico for the sake of alcohol, wild sex, and sometimes, drugs. Most Mexicans disapprove such behavior and think of them as reckless, spoiled brats. However, these kids bring dollars to the economy and as such, they are tolerated.
  • The young adults who travel to Mexico looking for relaxation at the many resort cities along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. These are the bulk of tourists who arrive into Mexico, and are pretty much welcomed.
  • The more mature tourists who try to know more about Mexico and its culture and history, and are often seen on interior cities such as Mexico City, Queretaro or Guanajuato. These tourists are usually more culturally advanced, and they are much more respected by the local population.