Let me start by expressing that I’ve always felt welcomed in Mexico. In the nearly 30 years I’ve been visiting the country for business, vacation, and now as a permanent resident, I can honestly say I’ve rarely, if ever, felt unwelcome. While speaking the language certainly helps, it’s more than that — I’ve found Mexicans to be generally warm, welcoming, and friendly.
So, what do we make of the emerging backlash on social media calling out foreigners living or traveling in Mexico? What’s the real cause, and is it something to be concerned about? Allow me to share my thoughts and perspective on this complex issue.
To begin with, it’s important to remember the long history between the United States and Mexico. Dating back to the 1800s, there was a war between the two nations, during which the U.S. military advanced all the way down to Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, and resulting in Mexico losing over 50% of its territory to the United States. Obviously, this is not something easily forgotten. One of the most famous statues in Mexico, located in Chapultepec Park in front of the castle, honors the “Heroic Boys,” six young Mexican soldiers who died in the battle. According to legend, one of the six wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped to his death to prevent the flag from being taken by the U.S. military.
In more recent history, former U.S. President Trump often exacerbated negative perceptions between the two countries with his inflammatory language about Mexico and its people. Just in the past few weeks, current U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson made it clear in a press conference that “we are the United States, Mexico will do what we say…”
Imagine a high-ranking Mexican political leader making such a statement about the United States, and it’s not difficult to understand why tensions are escalating. Add to this the presidential elections this year in both countries, and you have the perfect recipe for increased strain on the relationship.
Furthermore, Mexico’s current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), has been more nationalistic than many recent presidents. He has prioritized protecting and investing in state-owned electric (CFE) and oil (Pemex) companies, along with large infrastructure projects primarily undertaken by the Mexican military, such as the new Mexico City airport (AIFA), the Tulum airport, the Maya Train and the transoceanic train and trade corridor. He has also emphasized that the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico should be one “between equals.” Recently, he went on the popular U.S. news show 60 Minutes to refute Speaker Johnson’s comments by saying, “No, no, Mr. Legislator … that is disrespectful … we are an independent nation, free, sovereign … we are not the colony of any country … we are not subordinate to any other nation.”
So, on one hand, there’s a long history up to the present day of politicians stoking emotions. On the other hand, there’s an increasingly confident Mexico not willing to remain as passive as it has historically been. Mexicans are well aware that they are now the top exporter to the U.S. and that China views them as a strategic country, welcoming their investments. They also know that record numbers of Americans and Canadians are vacationing and living in their country. In short, Mexico realizes that it is more important and relevant to North America and the world than perhaps ever before.
Another aspect of this story is the “gentrification” occurring in many parts of Mexico. While much of this trend is driven by an increasingly wealthier and more mobile Mexican population, the influx of Americans and Canadians into many neighborhoods and cities is clearly exacerbating the issue and providing a focal point for resentment. Many social media posts imply that gentrification by fellow Mexican citizens is one thing, but when it’s done by foreigners who often don’t speak the language, seem unwilling to embrace many aspects of the culture (and even complain about parts of it), and constantly talk about “how cheap” it is here compared to back home, it creates an entirely different level of emotion and resentment.
I frequently witness examples of this in San Miguel de Allende, where I live, and while there is still relative harmony, there are increasingly difficult questions without easy answers. For instance, imagine being priced out of the neighborhood you live in, only for your former housing unit to be sold to someone who doesn’t even live in the city and then rented out to tourists. Some people benefit from this, but clearly, others do not. Imagine foreigners who have lived in town for a year or two complaining about the noise and traffic from your several hundred-year-old traditions. I increasingly see and hear these types of situations occurring, and one only needs to imagine these things happening in the U.S. or Canada to understand why people are expressing their frustrations on social media.
Just this past week, another example of increasing tensions occurred in the Pacific Ocean seaside city of Mazatlán. Foreign tourists listening to a sunset guitar solo were interrupted by noise from a local group on the beach playing banda music. While the music has deep roots and tradition in Mazatlán, it ignited a debate on whether this “local” music should take priority over music that may be preferred by outsiders (Mexican or foreign). To many locals in Mazatlán, it felt like yet another example of gentrification and its consequences being imposed on them.
I believe this issue is not going to dissipate quickly and should be taken seriously. The upcoming elections on both sides of the border will likely only further inflame emotions, and as Mexico continues to rise economically, the country rightfully becomes increasingly confident and proud of its culture, traditions, history and language.
What does this mean for foreigners living or traveling to Mexico? I think these incidents serve as an important reminder that whether we are in Mexico for a two-day business trip, a one-week vacation, or as a resident with a home, we are guests in this country. I would say the same to any foreign visitors to the U.S. or Canada. Perhaps many Americans and Canadians need to spend more time seeking to understand the history and the present of Mexico and take extra steps to ensure that they are respecting it, even if they don’t completely agree with it.
If the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can foster this mutual respect and cooperation, the potential for all three countries to be friends and partners is enormous. This will likely require residents of all three countries to invest more time in learning, understanding, and appreciating each other. The effort is more crucial and strategic than ever, so let’s commit to it!
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for over 27 years.
I think many of these problems are heightened by “digital nomads” and short term visitors who do not respect where they are but want to make it like”back home” as opposed to those of us that live all year in Mexico and respect it for what it is a wonderful diverse and seperate country.
Agree
I agree 100%. I’ll be glad when Mexico City finalizes the Airbnb digital nomad tax and other regulations governing the new law. Hope it keeps most of them out of here. Most of these foreigners are rude.
Mexico mostly attracts the “poor” Americans and Canadians complaining about the peso so their affect on housing is much less than what is happening in the Untied States.
People used to afford houses and walk to work in California beach cities now nurses and teachers commute 2 hrs. Inglewood has the new football and LA Clippers stadium pushing everyone out. Downtown Chicago same thing. Examples go on and on in the US.
The complaint by banda music bands that they should be able to practice their culture on the beach and if foreigners don’t like it, then “go home”. Is laughable. They are on the beach bullying hotel guests with their loud unpracticed “music” almost as a form of extortion. If the foreigners stopped coming they would have no reason to be on the beach.
I could not have said it better.
With more articles like this I will have to seriously consider not to renew my subscription. I thought that this a “news daily “.
I agree. The writing here is very poor.
more an opinion piece and not news. People confuse the two.
. . . spot on observation . . . I thought I was the “only one” who feels this written article is laced with partisanship . . .
I have never had a problem. After Vietnam, I entered and graduated from a Mexican University. My Spanish isn’t perfect but it’s pretty good, which makes a tremendous difference.
I am well respected and accepted by Mexicans. I love them and they love me. They’re the best people in the world.
Most Americans are pretty ethnocentric.
agreed….
The Mexican people are wonderful and just like anyone else they are working to make a living, take care of their families (I love and so respect their family values which seem to have faded in the U.S.), and enjoy time with their friends and families.
I’ve become a resident here a few years ago and working to understand their history and culture. I travel around the world and every place I visit I appreciate I am visiting their country/home and need to respect their culture.
We need to take our blinders off and as you say, stop being so ethnocentric and appreciate diverse cultures. As advanced a culture that we have in the U.S. and Canada, there is so much to learn from other cultures.
Excellent analysis of what is happening and the context, as well as the changes both countries are experiencing. Mexico is an independent country with a history of welcoming immigrants, refugees and political asylees, which became contributors and loved the country. Not everyone understands the importance of cultural responsiveness. My hope is that the new generations will continue questioning and changing the old ways. History provides an opportunity at looking back, and find new insights, that might help us understand the present and “ojala” will change the future for better.
Gracias por su contribucion!
This is my ninth year in paradise and I’ve only experienced very warm and friendly encounters in all of my surroundings. I take Spanish lessons as often as possible and treat everyone as my equals. I feel very welcomed each time I arrive and love the culture. RESPECT!
So your saying that America, with its politicians spewing hate speech, arrogant and self entitled viewpoint, and overall shit on Mexico attitude are starting to wear thin on the Mexican people. Hmmm. Whoda thunk it? It’s pathetic that most Americans are unaware of the level of trade the US does with Mexico or that Mexico rose to the 11th strongest economy last year – looking to jump into 10th soon. They know nothing about the millions in USD worth of foreign investment being announced weekly or that Mexico is about to have a woman president – debatably one of the most “macho” countries in the world will have a woman leader and is more politically progressive than the US. However, ask most Americans what they know about Mexico, and outside of a bad joke about delicious food, they’ll likely tell you some story about drug dealing, murderous, rapists looking to steal all “our” jobs. Until the media does it’s part and report about all the positive news coming from Mexico, the narrative will continue be that of the evil Mexico vs the God chosen and preferred US. Mexicans in general are treated horribly in the US, and citizenship… forget about it. Yet, we gringos are welcomed and can establish residency relatively easily, in most instances living far better lives than our Mexican neighbors. I fear this lashing out at foreigners will only increase as Mexicans depend less on the dollar and things gradually improve at home.
Best response yet to this thought provoking and quite accurate article. Thank you both.
both yours, the author’s and Norse Hombre’s pompous bloviating responses are a sickness that taints the experience Mexicanos have when meeting, speaking and encountering extranjeros . . . no wonder that San Miguel de Allende is referred to as “SAN ANTONIO SOUTH” . . .
As a US American now living in Mexico for the past 18 years, UT Austin degreed in Latin American Studies, and having facilitated language and cross cultural
training to several thousands of people from all backgrounds, perhaps the best sentence I used is…
As a visitor and working or living here, the burden of cultural adjustment is upon YOU. If you don’t try to solve your problems here with a nuanced cultural sensitivity, you are destined to have many of them.
I have to disagree with you on one point. I do not consider myself a “guest” in this country just as I don’t consider a Mexican with a green card in the U.S as a “guest”. They have earned the right to live there just as I have earned the right to live in Mexico. I am a permanent resident who contributes to the economy of Mexico. I strive to learn Mexican culture every day and I also strive to become more proficient with the Spanish language. ALL of my neighbors are Mexican nationals. I do not live in a cushy expat community and nor do I try to avoid natives of Mexico. I ride public transit, I shop in local abarrotes, I buy from vendors on the side of the road. Please don’t group me into the elitist gringo groups.
I agree and add: Every person has the right to citizen other cultures. why would I not be critical of pervasive corruption, terrible civil engineering, gringo tax in non fixed priced commercial operations, bad diet that leads to high rates of diabetes, and yes, lots of needless noise. Two million Americans live in Mexico; we are not guests. I might guess ten million Mexican live in America with various levels of legality, and they are not guests. Each country has first amendment rights for its citizens.
This situation is happening all over the world not just Mexico. People are migrating everywhere they can to better their lives. The internet shows them what living standards many countries have. Mexicans have been migrating to the US and Canada for decades seeking a better life for their families and themselves. Gentrification happens everywhere in all countries when there is an increase in living standards and affluence. There is also a positive side to that. People in Playa del Carmen are selling their small Casitas for 6 to 10 million Pesos. The sad thing today is that too many, on social media and in media, are happy or rewarded to sell division and hate.
Travis, thanks for raising this important topic. While it’s only natural for visitors primarily from the US and Canada to bring along their cultural baggage, I would prefer some of it be checked at Mexico’s doorstep before entering.
Your article reminds me of the “The Ugly American”, a wildly popular novel written in the late ’50’s that depicts the failures of the U.S. diplomatic corps in Southeast Asia, whose insensitivity to local language, culture, and customs and refusal to integrate were in marked contrast to the polished abilities of Eastern Bloc (primarily Soviet) diplomacy and led to Communist diplomatic success overseas. While a work of fiction, it was a stinging indictment of US hegemony as a prominent form of international relations. You can see how this approach played out in US engagement with its Southern neighbors, especially Mexico over the past two centuries.
you need to REREAD the book, “The Ugly American” . . . just reading the title is no way to go through one’s life . . . as I’m inclined to believe you didn’t read the book, Homer Akins and his wife helped and bettered the lives of the peoples they lived among. Homer designed the bicylce water pump so the local people dinn’t have to walks distances carrying buckets of water each and every day! Homer’ wife, I cannot recall her name, lengthened the broom handles she saw older bent over people using, so they didn’t have to bend over messing up their spines in their elder years. AND BOTH Homer and his wife were UGLY, thus the book’s title . . . you focused on how elite diplomats from all country’s were perceived back in the ’50’s . . . you totally missed the good contributions made by everyday folks . . . another BTW for you, in two separate countries I have been told “You don’t act like an American.” and I have said, “I am an American, you’ve just been meeting the wrong ones” . . . like Globe Trotter and your ilk . . .
Thanks Travis. 100 percent with you. Love Mexico, the people are wonderful and hard as hell working folks. You have to remember that there are a bunch of us gringos that are absolutely ashamed and sickened by the crap that the Trump cult regurgitates. Whatever happened to people respecting others in their own home anyway!
well said!!!
Totally agree. As a Canadian I think is is my duty to show respect and be grateful to live part of my new life here.
I think this column/opinion piece is perhaps being driven by a San Miguel de Allende Civil List post on the same topic and similar posts elsewhere in Mexico. Social media and the internet coupled with the nationalism of AMLO and Trump in USA allow racist comments to boil over.
Recently, there was a Facebook post on the beach banda music and I mention that I often enjoy all sorts of music in Mexico. I often refer to the “Music of Mexico as the bands in the jardin in SMA; the vendors hawking wares; the church bells, the dogs and the roosters crowing…all music.
This received a rude reply from a young Mexican woman (with a thin profile and dubious name) that was removed as well as her original meme.
To me, beach culture is NOT Mexico. It’s the beach and has a different vibe. I tell people I live in Mexico and I get “What beach?”
I tell them I live at 6,300 feet in the UNESCO World Heritage City in the mountains in the heart of Mexico. I have lived in San Miguel de Allende most 17 years. We own our own home and car and pay taxes. As a journalist I have contribute and assisted daily and weekly publications here and in CDMX. I am a permanent resident not a guest and speak OK Spanish . I drilled and trained with Cruz Roja and donated radios and gear to Cruz Roja and Bomberos as I am a fourth generation volunteer firefighter.
A poster said Americans in Mexico are poor. My Canadian and American friends (BTW, Canada, US and Mexico are part of North America) are far from poor. Yes, we live on fixed incomes but we are retired. Inflation hurts us more than the ballyhooed “Super Peso.” We moved here the peso was 10 to one.How it hurts us is less free money for meals out and tips have become smaller. So in many ways inflation and the Super Peso hurts all SMA residents.
The idea of the Super Peso shows a nationalism which runs strong in Mexico.
Mexico Daily New’s publisher mentions gentrification as an issue. As a native Philadelphia I saw this happen in the 1960s. It’s especially true of San Miguel de Allende. We live in a 4 bedroom condo, in an older, well established green community of foreigners from several countries and Mexicans.
Home prices have become outrageous and real estate here as described by a Realtor friend is “The wild west.”
If anything will kill SMA it will be overdevelopment and infrastructure issues.
My Mexican friends consist of teachers engineers, and builders and we talk about inflation and common problems. I am a ham radio operator and have been to radio clubs meetings and a convention of two in Mexico City. A great hobby for international friendship and understanding.
At one convention a Mexican military band marched in and played the Mexican national anthem and I was filled with pride and happiness.
Mexico is to be enjoyed, experienced one day, one story, one bite, one song, one walk, one conversation at a time. Learning and growing even in older age.
One thing I love in Mexico is how we greet fellow diners. And the random “buen días” as we walk the narrow, cobblestone streets.
San Miguel is not a magic town. The people are. They make the magic. Mexico has been blending cultures far longer than the US and perhaps much better.
Don’t let nationalism both domestic and foreign or social media’s meanness destroy the tapestry of Mexico that is being woven every day.
This is one of the wrost pieces of opinion that I have read in my 60 years of living in Mexico and 4 years of reading MND. Travis , if you haven’t thought it out, better that you keep your thoughts to yourself.
I couldn’t disagree more. As the demographics in Mexico change, and the economy grows, it is important to continue to have informed conversations about our role as foreigners in it. The new MND is proving to be an excellent forum to do this and Travis brings not only his own perspective but that of others who he is inviting to contribute to this website.
Gringo refers to Americans exclusively. Having lived in Mexico for 10 years after visiting for the prior 15 years, I think I can safely say gringo is the derogatory term used for Americans because of the generally entitled behavior I have experienced over time. Way too many instances have solidified this opinion. I have never experienced any other nationality acting the way too many Americans act. There is no other country Americans visit as much as Mexico, so it is quite confounding that we get the rather negative but deserved attitude from some Mexicans. We deserve it! Americans are hung up about the border and the politicians who make such a big deal about it. Most don’t realize that Mexico and immigrants have kept our most recent economy in better shape than anyone else in the world. Most Americans don’t realize that Mexico is going to reduce our reliance on China and the many concerns. All you ever hear from GOP politicians is border BS that they need won’t do anything about, but it appeals to their ignorant constituents who they are playing up to. México is a great country, unique and different which makes it so gratifying to call my new home. I agree with the Mexicans…if you don’t like it, go back to where you came from and leave us from all of your bitching.
It infuriates me how here in Loreto so many gringos want to alter the culture so that it is like the US. I moved here for the culture. I live surrounded by Mexicans, the only gringo on my street, near the water, and it is a local party spot. The other gringos live “safe” in clusters, behind tall walls and complain about the noise and advocate for police or legislative intervention. I am sorry for them for not doing their research and due diligence, but “tough tamales, folks”. You can always move back to Seattle or Calgary or wherever. I have decided to do two things about the noise: 1] Insulate my house for sound and 2] Consider the noise to be the sound of happy people having fun. How could I come out against that?
“Tough Tamales” Lovr it!!!
With the widening exchange rate it might price a lot of ‘gringos’ out of the country and the result could be a lot worse for the country (and by gringos I mean all foreigners, not just US). There are a lot of cringe gringos, I see almost daily with someone arguing with a cashier in English trying to accommodate their nonsense. Or the gringo living their sheltered life in a gated community and rarely venturing out. But most I see as respectful and wanting to integrate as much as possible. And if they stopped coming, it would be a major hit to the economies.
It isn’t a surprise. The US has been taking in Mexicans whether legally or illegally for years. So many send money back to Mexico so much that its the 2nd largest revenue source for Mexico. That AMLO has gone out of his way to antagonize the US by having a wide open Northern boarder and comes up with basically a blackmail threat to close the border. Of course there are other factors involved but lets get real. If Mexico had as tight of control of its Northern border as it does its Southern border.
AMLO’s successor should, if she cares at all about the relationship between the countries, work with Trump just like AMLO did when Trump was in office. An example would be the remain in Mexico. There is a reason why AMLO did that. It was because Trump can certainly hurt Mexico economically very easily.
For those on here that say the countries should be equal, that is simply not true. The US dwarfs Mexico’s economy. They can do things to Mexico (not that I want that at all) that Mexico simply cannot do. Perhaps not ideal but the world isn’t ideal. An example is when the US had arrested hundreds of MS16 gang members mostly from Central America. The countries refused to take them back. Until Trump threatened their aid they get from the US, then they quickly decided to take them back. Do you even think Trump couldn’t do that with Mexico?
And just to clarify the situation with the border is the fault of both countries not just Mexico. The Biden admin is very clear they want to import voters illegally. Now that migrant crime is way up in the US the coming backlash will be huge. Again I don’t want this to happen but how can you watch a train wreck and not believe your lying eyes?
“One says Mexico: one means, after all, one little town away South in the Republic: and in this little town, one rather crumbly adobe house built round two sides of a garden patio: and of this house, one spot on the deep, shady verandah facing inwards to the trees, where there are an onyx table and three rocking-chairs and one little wooden chair, a pot with carnations, and a person with a pen. We talk so grandly, in capital letters about Morning in Mexico. All it amounts to is one little individual looking at a bit of sky and trees, then looking down at the page of his exercise book.” DH Lawrence
Having worked almost exclusively in Public Education in Mexico for the last 16 years, I believe it is best if you:
A) learn the language
B) immerse yourself in the culture
C) give back to the community
Respeto!
I totally agree with you Geoffrey, but I’m not so sure what the quote from DH Lawrence has to do with the situation.