Top 5 Things Americans Need To Know About Mexican Culture

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Last Updated 4 hours in the past

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

In 2022, Mexico’s recognition 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.

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

Mexico is common with Americans because of its stunning seashores and nature, thrilling cities, scrumptious meals and nice tradition, reasonably priced costs, and shut proximity to the United States.

For Americans planning to go to Mexico quickly, listed below 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 will not be a factor, it’s customary in Mexico.

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

In extra touristy areas, a gratuity could also be routinely added to your invoice at a restaurant, through which case a further tip will not be wanted.

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2. Don’t Expect English Everywhere

In many common locations within the nation, you’ll haven’t any hassle discovering fluent English audio system inside the tourism and hospitality industries.

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

This implies that English will not be as frequent in Mexico as some American vacationers may anticipate, particularly away from essentially the most touristy areas.

Learning fundamental 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 the case 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 will 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 disadvantage as a result of issues can take longer than some Americans might 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 group 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 conversant in, Mexican tradition will not be 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 important Indigenous affect.

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

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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com