What are some cultural things in Mexico?

Answer 1

From what I've heard one tradition which used to be very popular was the last child no marriage tradition. The last born child was to take care of the mother until the day that the mother died. The child was therefore forbidden any sort of marriage and love.

Those kind of traditions date back to the 1930s (see the Mexican movie Como Agua Para Chocolate), and unless you are talking about the most backward village in the middle of nowhere, they are no longer true. Modern traditions can be englobed in "the family above everything else", where the extended family is the most important "institution" for Mexicans. For instance in many places, not only the nuclear family (mom, dad and children) live under the same roof; also the grandparents, unmarried brothers and sisters, etc. live altogether. That is a cultural shock many Americans have to face when Mexican neighbors move in: they are usually an extended family of many adults, children and elder people living together, "making noise" and "partying all the time".

Answer 2

Mexico is a very complex country, full of local, regional and national traditions, such as in the United States or any western country for that matter. Mexico is considered to be 'the land of the three cultures' because it is a mix of three of them:

• The Pre-Columbian culture, when Mexico's territory was home to native American civilizations that lived there until the 15th century. Of special importance are the Aztec and Mayan civilizations and their traditions such as corn planting and all the meals coming from such crop like pozole, tortillas, tamales and the like.

• The Spanish culture, brought by Spanish conquistadors from 1521 at the Fall of Tenochtitlan until Mexican independence on the 19th century. Traditions include language (Spanish), religion (Roman Catholicism) and many beliefs that became intermixed with the already existent Pre-Columbian culture. Some examples include Dia de los Muertos, the piñatas or the Three Kings Day.

• The Mexican culture, which includes all traditions specific to Mexico after its independence.

Then, traditions can be classified on two large classes: religious and idiosyncrasy or 'particular behavior' of Mexican people. Some religious traditions include:

• Dia de los Santos Reyes or Epiphany celebration - is the day when Mexicans exchange Christmas presents.

• Dia de los muertos / Day of the dead - Mexican holiday that merges Pre-Columbian beliefs and modern Catholicism.

• Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe / Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe - honoring Mexico's patron saint.

While 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, see Machismo.

• 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.

Answer 3

Much like American Christmas, Mexican families have many Christmas traditions. Some traditions include reenactments of Mary and Joseph trying to find shelter in Bethlehem, Christmas carols, holiday foods, and many more.

Answer 4

• Listening to Mariachi Music.
• Looking or acquiring some of the many handcrafts they have there such as amber, silver and gold jewelry.
• Going to any of the hundreds of museums they have over there.

Answer 5

There are several of them, such as Christmas, Independence Day, The Posadas or Day of the Dead. The most widely celebrated throughout the country is Independence Day (September 16).

Answer 6

you put luminarias on your porch

Answer 7

Nachos