Top 5 Things Americans Need To Know About Mexican Culture

Last Updated 11 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 recognition with Americans has continued to develop, with locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta breaking data. 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 be the top country for American expats, with as many as a million Americans dwelling briefly or completely in Mexico.

Mexico is standard with Americans resulting from its lovely 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 find out about Mexican tradition earlier than your journey:

1. Tipping Is Customary In Mexico

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

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

In extra touristy areas, a gratuity could also be routinely added to your invoice at a restaurant, wherein case an extra tip just isn’t 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 inside the tourism and hospitality industries.

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

This signifies that English just isn’t as widespread in Mexico as some American vacationers may anticipate, particularly away from probably the most touristy areas.

Learning primary Spanish earlier than visiting Mexico will go a good 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 relation to many issues, some constructive and a few unfavorable.

Long, unrushed meals with family and friends and the standard 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 could anticipate, and there’s loads of slow-moving forms within the nation.

4. There’s Always Something To Celebrate In Mexico

Mexican tradition is extremely vibrant. Family, pals, and neighborhood are extraordinarily vital 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 widespread throughout holidays in Mexico, together with particular meals. Weddings and birthdays (particularly quinceañeras) are additionally a giant deal.

Many Americans could discover the nation to be shockingly noisy, with fireworks and loud music widespread 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 conversant in, Mexican tradition just isn’t a monolith. It’s truly extremely numerous.

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

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