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kyra k
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omigosh,no! my husband and i go there twice a year,and we loooove it!no one has ever been anything but courteous and accomodating to us! my husband speaks spanish,but even when i try,and switch to english instead,people are still kind to us.in fact,b4 i met my husband,he had a bad breakup,and went to mexico just b4 xmas to forget.a mexican family asked if he would be alone on the holiday,and when he said yes,they invited him to spend both xmas and new years at their house,which he did.he also met 2 guys hiking ,and we have visited and stayed at their homes,and they have treated us with gr8 hospitality.these men and their wives are now dear friends of ours.so dont worry,if u are nice and friendly,u will receive the same in return.i find the kindness,openness and manners in mexico far superior to france,where yes,almost everyone hates us.in mexico,u will find the opposite.go to chiapas,to san christobel de las casas,if u get the chance,its lovely.have fun,dont drink anything but bottled water,even to rinse after u brush ur teeth-and pleeeese carry a roll of toilet paper WHEREVER u go-not all the bano's have toilet paper-just practical advice,cause that can be a nasty shock!also,it costs 2 pesos to use the restrooms,so carry plenty of change!enjoy ur trip!!! ps-if u cant get as far as chiapas,try mexico city(distrito federal).its lovely.the holiday inn there is only 60 dollars a night,but its eqsuisite,with a balcony overlooking the main plaza(the zocalo),an archaeological site,and some churches and state buildings.the pyramida at teotihuacan and the underground cave restaurant near teotihuacan are fabulous,and the gardens and cathedrals at the shrine of our lady of guadalupe,are not to be missed!if u like dogs,by the way,please buy some dry dog food and feed the strays u will see,i help them on every trip,what little i can. |
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Don J
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Listen, its a bit rambling and a little out of date in some things (my opinion ....I'll explain) but you really should read ALL of "kyra k's" answer, it is very good and covers much of what you are asking about!
I am a Canadian and have been married to a Mexican for 23 years and living in Mexico City for 13 years now. Its true that as a Canadian I am very well respected and well treated, BUT many of the problems which plague Americans in Mexico are NOT caused by simply being Americans, but by acting in the worst ways possible.
Mexicans don't like the United States in general and they don't like "The Gringo" in the abstract at all or what they feel "The Gringo" represents: greed, arrogance, selfishness, racism, bad manners, no culture, disrespect for others, ignorance, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual misconduct, loose morality and so on. (just remember how many hundreds of thousands of drunken, stoned, party animals come down here for "spring break" every year......)
However as "kyra k" pointed out, there is probably not a more warm, generous and open people than the Mexican people and if you don't act like "The Gringo" why they won't treat you like one either, they will treat you as you.........
If you go onto some sites even here on Yahoo!Answers and read what your own countrymen write about the Mexican people in the immigration or similar questions: "animals" "beaners" "lazy" "criminals" "wetbacks" "scum" "dogs" "vermin" etc, etc, you'll get a pretty good idea why Mexicans have a problem with some Americans, they can read too, you know!
Don't be "those" Americans, its just that simple! If you treat the Mexican people with friendliness, courtesy and respect they will return it with interest. They are poorer than Americans and they feel somewhat insecure as a result. If you like their country and admire their positive charateristics they will love you forever!
Anyway, that's about it. If you stay at well known resorts and tourist areas, you won't be served any "tap water" you won't need to carry toilet paper and so on, you won't have to pay 2 pesos for the WC etc. (Mexico's tourist industry is one of the best educated, trained and sophisticated in the world.) - Of course if you DO get off the beaten path into small towns etc, then all of "kyra k's" advice applies!
You come down here and just be yourself! Its an amazing place and you will NOT regret it! (and if you happen to see a slightly overweight, grey-haired "white" guy about 55 with a gray beard who speaks pretty good Spanish, named "Don J," why then the polite thing would be to buy him a beer!) |
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tequila_sun4me
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I've travelled to Mexico many times, most recently a couple of months ago and as long as you are a pleasant tourist, you'll never have a problem. Have a great trip and enjoy the wonderful Mexican hospitality. |
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Mexico Traveler
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All depends upon who you talk to. Some Mexicans hate Americans and some Americans hate Mexicans. Simple fact of life. Do all Mexicans hate Americans. NO they do not.
I have run across people a few who hate Americans. But not hate as in want to hurt you. They hate the attitude of the tourists. The I am American and I should be treated special and I can act like a jerk.
I have run acroos many more people who like Americans.
In reality it depends upon the specific person. I know if you are rude and obnoxious, then not only will they hate you, but other Americans will hate you. If you are kind, honest, and try to communicate with them in Spanish, they will like you better.
Think about yourself and how you feel about Mexicans? Do you like every single one? Probably not. But more than likely you like the majority of them. Well believe it or not the same applies with them towards us.
All places have good points and bad points. The problem is that the bad points sell newspapers. So the TV's and the other media will exploit any trouble they can find and that is what you hear about. You do not hear the good news, as good news does not make money.
I have spent many months living in Mexico City. In an average working class neighborhood. I was nice to people, said hello, how are you to people. I treated people nicely. They in turn treated me well. Now if I were rude and obnoxious, I presume they would have treated me the same way.
Most people think it is all about the tourist dollar. I find that those who work at the resorts, no matter where they are, are usually the the ones who hate tourists because that is who they deal with all the time.
For a truely nice vacation, get off the beaten path. If you don't know Spanish learn some simple words and phrases. Greet people in Spanish. Try to communicate with them in Spanish and you will be respected more than those who don't even try. A little kindness and respect goes a long ways. |
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Douglas M
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DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING. MOST PLACES IN MEXICO DEPEND ON TOURIST FOR A LIVING AND ARE USUALLY VERY WELCOMING. GODD LUCK! |
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cmw
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I'm an American and lived in Mexico for 10 years. I found the Mexicans to be the most gracious people I've spent time with, and I'm pretty well traveled. I never found animosity towards Americans, but sometimes displeasure with the US government. There is a distinction made in my experience. I have not been there since the immigration issue became so huge, but I still have friends living down there, who say their lives and friendships with Mexicans are unaffected.
P.S. One answer above covers the "ugly American," and it's true that Mexicans are put off by gringos with superior attitudes, and there are plenty of them traveling down there. Mostly, though, they just turn their back on that kind of behavior and there's no problem. |
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Dean A
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depends on where your going in mexico, they have been having a lot of shootings with drug lords and border towns are to americanized, if your traveling to the interior you should be fine, |
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Professor Jelly Tot
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Tell them you are Canadian. |
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Elanshaw
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I'm not sure, but if you go..make sure you're always with a group of people wherever you go..
better safe than sorry.. |
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Annie C
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Telling them you're Canadian will only make them think you are cheap and won't tip very well at a restuarant. If you are an americal female they will think you are slutty, even if you're not. They will say things to you. Unfortunately other american girls have gone down there, gotten drunk and given us a bad name. It's not that they hate us, they hate who runs our country. Good luck and have fun. |
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