Top 5 Things Americans Need To Know About Mexican Culture

Last Updated 10 hours in the past

Mexico is an especially standard vacation spot for American vacationers. Americans account for the largest percentage of tourists within the nation, with thousands and thousands visiting the nation yearly.

In 2022, Mexico’s reputation with Americans has continued to develop, with locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta breaking information. In the primary quarter of 2022 alone, greater than 3 million Americans visited Mexico.

Woman walking down a street in mexico with a camera, americans

It can also be the top country for American expats, with as many as a million Americans residing briefly or completely in Mexico.

Mexico is standard with Americans on account of its stunning seashores and nature, thrilling cities, scrumptious meals and nice tradition, inexpensive costs, and shut proximity to the United States.

For Americans planning to go to Mexico quickly, listed here are a number of key issues to learn about Mexican tradition earlier than your journey:

1. Tipping Is Customary In Mexico

Unlike some worldwide locations in Asia or Europe the place tipping shouldn’t be a factor, it’s customary in Mexico.

Much like within the United States, it’s anticipated that you simply depart una propina for restaurant servers, bartenders, valets, lodge maids, and different service staff. At a restaurant, 10% to fifteen% of the overall invoice is an applicable tip.

In extra touristy areas, a gratuity could also be routinely added to your invoice at a restaurant, by which case an extra tip shouldn’t be wanted.

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2. Don’t Expect English Everywhere

In many standard locations within the nation, you’ll haven’t any bother discovering fluent English audio system throughout the tourism and hospitality industries.

However, in complete, solely 12% of Mexicans converse English as a second language (which continues to be a lot larger than the proportion of non-Hispanic Americans who converse Spanish as a second language.)

This signifies that English shouldn’t be as frequent in Mexico as some American vacationers may count on, particularly away from essentially the most touristy areas.

Learning primary Spanish earlier than visiting Mexico will go a great distance, making it simpler to speak and get across the nation.

3. Prepare For A Slower Pace Of Life

There’s a slower tempo of life in Mexico in terms of many issues, some optimistic and a few unfavourable.

Long, unrushed meals with family and friends and the normal afternoon siesta are examples of Mexico’s extra relaxed tempo of life. Shops typically shut earlier and should not open in any respect on Sundays or holidays, and there’s much less of a 24/7 tradition just like the U.S. has.

However, this can be a downside as a result of issues can take longer than some Americans might count on, and there’s loads of slow-moving paperwork within the nation.

4. There’s Always Something To Celebrate In Mexico

Mexican tradition is extremely vibrant. Family, associates, and neighborhood are extraordinarily essential in Mexico.

You’ll discover that somebody is at all times celebrating in Mexico, whether or not it’s distinctive holidays like Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), Semana Santa (Holy Week), Navidad y las Posadas (the Christmas season), and Día de la Independencia (Independence Day.)

Parades, processionals, decorations, and different occasions are frequent throughout holidays in Mexico, together with particular meals. Weddings and birthdays (particularly quinceañeras) are additionally an enormous deal.

Many Americans might discover the nation to be shockingly noisy, with fireworks and loud music frequent at any time of day, however that’s simply a part of the tradition and day-to-day life in Mexico.

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5. Mexican Culture Is Incredibly Diverse

Despite pervasive stereotypes Americans could also be acquainted with, Mexican tradition shouldn’t be a monolith. It’s truly extremely various.

Mexico is a mix of many various cultures, together with Indigenous, European, African, and mestizaje (blended.) Although Mexico is an 80% Roman Catholic nation, there’s additionally nonetheless important Indigenous affect.

More than 300 languages are spoken in Mexico, and the variety of the nation might be seen in its diverse locations, from electrifying cities to historic Aztec ruins to picture-perfect colonial cities.