We’re all annoying in our own way. There is always a quirk or personality trait that irritates the masses. Oftentimes those traits span an entire nationality.
I should know, I’m American.
Oh Americans. Known the world over as loud, obnoxious, fashionably-challenged, and completely coddled. According to The Times and a 10-year-old article on Business Insider, citizens of the U.S. travel simply to compare everything to the U.S., speak English loud and proud, and make little attempt to learn the local culture. Who is more intolerable than us?
I’m happy to say that since moving to Mexico City I’ve found out that we aren’t the only deplorables. At least here in Mexico. (I’m talking to you Canadians, Brits, and Aussies.)
Not to fluff my own feathers, but I have always made a very concerted effort to meld with the local culture as much as possible. Yet, I’m still classified as annoying. Why? I needed answers. So I set out on a very entertaining quest to uncover the most offensive things I, my fellow gringos and selected other nationalities, do to roll both the proverbial-and-physical eye of our Mexican neighbors.
Through in-depth interviews of six born-and-raised-in-Mexico friends, I found out more than I needed to know about the actions we (often unknowingly) take to offend them.
Here are the top 10, coupled with my personal interpretation of what we’re doing wrong.
Expect English everywhere. It’s true that Mexico City restaurants are handing out English menus to Mexican patrons, much to their chagrin. It’s a double-edged sword. It’s a testament to the country’s accommodation of outsiders, but it’s also preventing English-speaking expats from immersing themselves in the language and, therefore, learning it.
Refuse to drink filtered water.
I understand this from both sides. If you’ve fallen victim to Moctezuma’s rite of passage, just looking at an ice cube will make your stomach turn. However, it likely didn’t come from an ice cube. Dining establishments have no intention of poisoning you, or anyone else, with tap water. No one drinks it here anyway. Filtered is fine.
Talk about how cheap everything is.
This has come up before on Mexico News Daily. Even if it is cheap compared to your home country, it’s not cheap compared to Mexico’s average salary. Delight in the money you’re saving, but keep it to yourself.
Guilt payments and over-tipping.
If your housekeeper gives you a rate, that’s the rate you should pay. Don’t double it because you think it’s too low. It throws off the pay scale for Mexicans who might not be making the same salary you’re raking in from a San Fran-based tech giant. This also goes for tipping. The standard is 10-15%, so unless the service is absolutely spectacular beyond belief, stick with the local customs.
Not eating like a Mexican.
This is one of my favorites. I’m not referring to Mexican dishes and I’m sure you’re noshing heavily on tlayudas and mole. This refers to Mexico’s traditional dining schedule. Think about it – gringos eat lunch around 1:00 P.M. and dinner around 7:00 P.M. Mexicans eat lunch around 2:00 P.M. and dinner around 8:00 P.M. This means that when a Mexican couple shows up for date night at 8:15 P.M., there are no tables available.
Crossing the street like a gringo.
The rules here are pretty obvious — pedestrians yield to cars. Yes, it’s opposite to most other countries but trying to change this societal rule will end up getting you squashed. It’s confusing to drivers and safer for you to follow the rule so just do it.
Lack of formalities.
It’s common in the U.S. to skip conversation openers in the interest of saving time and getting to the point. In many cases this is a glorious way of doing business, but that’s not how it works here. Especially when interacting with someone for the first time, take 5 minutes to be Mexican and break the ice. A “How was your trip to Acapulco last weekend?” can go a long way.
Asking about your safety everywhere you go.
Parts of Mexico aren’t safe. Parts of Australia aren’t safe. Parts of London aren’t safe. Safety is an issue everywhere. Do your own research and if you’re really unsure, ask a friend “if they’ve ever driven on their own to Veracruz because you’re thinking about doing just that” and you’ll get the answer you’re looking for.
You don’t look Mexican.
Very delicate territory here. There has been a long held belief that Mexicans look a certain way, work in certain industries and have a certain style. This is particularly rampant in the United States. And for a country that is so sensitive to class, a statement like this can be really offensive (especially when coming from an American).
Mexicans don’t eat burritos.
This isn’t true everywhere, obviously. The seafood joint up the street from my apartment has a pretty rico seafood burrito on the menu. If you’ve flown into Puerto Vallarta, you’ve probably filled up on a famous smoked marlin burrito at Tacón de Marlin. What is meant by burrito in this case is a lack of research or curiosity about true Mexican culture. Mexico is mole, it’s Tenochtitlan, it’s Quetzalcoatl, it’s Catholicism, it’s copal, it’s mariachi, it’s agave. This country is so rich beyond the edges of a jack-cheese and ground beef burrito from Chipotle. Mexico is simply amazing.
Anything self-deprecating behaviors you want to add? Please let us know, politely, in the comments below.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.
My power bill came yesterday. 450 pesos for 2 months. 5000 sq ft. My favorite saying is, “in Mexico you live for free,” but you never talk about it.
It makes absolutely no sense to me Americans that come here and boast they spend $4 grand a month living in Mexico. Are you nuts? This is Mexico! Go somewhere nice.
Your article is very good.
In general Mexico attracts poor Americans and Canadians. That’s why they come here. Maybe on vacation people overtip but the ones that live here again, “in general” they are the cheapest people you ever meet. Bitching and complaining about sidewalks, roads, traffic but wanting to live here for free.
To everyone here I have lived in Mexico since January, 2012. I am sensitive to Mexican sensibilities. I will try what my mother used to call a “no thank you helping” of offered food, but Mexicans must also understand when I turn down their food its, because I can’t take hot food it destroys my stomach so there is a two way understanding that needs to be observed. On top of the hot I’m Jewish and I won’t violate my what I’m not suppose to eat!! Its a two way street.
As far as tipping is concerned I’ll tip what I want to tip 10 to 20% depending upon the value of the service and I’m sorry, but I’ve seen rich Mexicans pay no tip or just 10% or less. One thing that boils me is when at the grocery store the baggers aren’t paid anything by the store they make only tips. Rich Mexicans as by my observations pay 5 pesos or less. I pay no less than ten and sometimes more depending upon what change I have in my pocket. If I have 15 or 16 pesos in my pocket I give that to the usually elderly bagger. It is an insult to respect for the elderly to give them 3 or 4 pesos and then walk out to your BMW or Mercedes parked outside.
I know this will offend some people what I just said above, but I don’t care there are some basic values like paying a decent amount for services rendered. It is the rich Mexicans who should be called out for offending, because of the way they treat working Mexicans in their country, but I think I have said to much all ready.
No, you haven’t said too much. In fact, you could even say more in support of the poor Mexicans who live on their propinas. It simply isn’t fair and more power to you for speaking out for the regular people! We can only hope and pray that la Senora Claudia won’t disappoint them!! Incidentally, she is Jewish as well, and would approve of your various observances.
My fiancé is Mexican and she is absolutely down on giving much in the way.It tips so I’m cheap when I’m with her and reasonable when I am not.
Don’t slam the doors of taxis!
That’s right – something that Americans often do that’s considered terribly rude!
These seem more like the things Americans do that bug you. A restaurant owner would love to be able to break up their lunch and dinner schedule. I have never heard a server complain because I gave them to much money. I know what would really upset any one from a different culture. That would be someone outside their culture pretending to understand what their life is like and representing to be an expert to educate others about their lives. What you described was the view of the middle and upperclass in Mexico. To any one in the service business this article would be infuriating.
In fact, taxistas themselves told me that. They frequently only rent their cab from the owner of the taxi and the model is often old and not in the best shape. So when anything breaks down, they themselves are responsible for the repairs. Often they can’t afford it and windows stay shattered until the owner gives them an ultimatum. I lived in Cancun for over ten years, downtown and spoke to the people. The unfair treatment of the workers did bug me – a lot.
Bless you
Enough bashing of the Yanks. Mexico’s economy would take a very large dump w/o them. Let’s try to respect one another.
Most Americans are kind-hearted and probably would like to know what they can do to be helpful and less destructive while vacationing in Mexico. It’s mostly unintentional and being aware of the problem never hurts anybody. And Mexicans do appreciate and very much recognize the American generosity with tipping more than the Europeans and anybody else for that matter, and even bringing stuff down to give away. Tennis shoes still in good condition are generally welcome. Remember we have bigger feet so our kids’ outgrown shoes might fit a Mexican adult. Even prescription glasses that many people simply cannot afford. If they work, it’s better than nothing, even though you may not like to hear that. I gave my glasses, incl. sun glasses, away for years and know they came to good use. Prescriptions are often a luxury that’s not affordable to all. Take good bandaids, etc. with you on vacation for your own use, then leave what’s left for the maids. Their kids will need it and it’s expensive to buy. A sweater or two would help on chilly days in Nov. through Feb. Small to Medium will always fit someone in a big family, also Mexican kids are sadly now getting fatter from fast foods and soft drinks. I would never go near an American food chain in Cancun, not even Starbucks (though I was dying for good coffee most of the time) but they were often packed with people, incl. many teenagers who were obviously middle to upper class Mexicans. In all fairness, I just didn’t know very many of that kind… My Spanish was and still probably is geared towards the plain regulars. I’m working on it as my care-takers here are native Latinas and a pretty classy lot.
Interesting comments here .
I’ve seen my share of stupidity and rudeness by foreigners. It’s sad and embarrassing.
Mexican people are on the most part very kind , friendly and helpful. I treat them with the utmost respect.
Funny though, no one has mentioned French Canadians . By far the rudest most ignorant people I’ve seen in Mexico .
I’ve been asked more than once if I was French Canadian . I quickly clarify I am not .
I’ve witnessed unbelievable behaviour.
Eg: standing in grocery store line up . Three French Canadian women (older) speaking French
They pushed the little Mexican gentleman who started packing their groceries out of the way and packed their own then left .
I was in shock .
Yes, I agree. Why people do that to beautiful San Francisco? Both “Frisco” and “San Fran” look and sound deplorable and it speaks volume of the people who use either. I don’t care what nationality you are, please know that it speaks volume of you personally.
I don’t see how anyone can be disrespectful towards the wonderful and mostly well mannered and elegant people in Mexico and their beautiful culture and traditions. I was simply in awe every day for over ten years. I also did fight for my rights (and others) about small stuff at both the Aguacan and Profeco and won every. single. time, except the last when I showed up a day late and automatically lost. They all laughed and wished me better luck next time. I blamed it on my age, and a Mexican man typically said “NOOO, Senora – what age? Esta bien.” !VIVA MEXICO!
My observations from having the good fortune to be able to live in 2 expat communities – South of France and San Miguel de Allende; The former, much more homogeneous, largely fluent in the language and culture, generally a bit younger and adventurous. Whole the latter and majority, those who want to live a Beverly Hills lifestyle on an Encino budget. And a smaller, but important group of Americans tone proud of who give their time,money and trade skill to fill in whete Mexico has been to lazy, incompetent or heartless to do so. There are not many things in recent years to be proud of as an American, but those generous entrepreneurs and ” born to be social workers” that drive the most successful NGOS are indeed pretty special Americans in Mexico who make me proud for a change.
The very nature of traveling is to reveal a world different from what we are endowed. I learned what it meant to be an American from Mexican peasants who lived in an 18th century village in the Sierra Madre Orientales in 1965. Even my 500 words of Spanish were equal to those who spoke only spoke Otomian.
What is really tiresome to me are those Gringos who make excuses for poor Mexican behaviors ans choices, always thinking they are only guests in this country. Many Mexicans are critical of each other jsut as Americans are of each other. The border is politically and arbitrary, Mexicans and Americans have freedom of speech to criticize each other, just do it respectfully.