There are certain things you should never tell a Mexican. Some will make us laugh, but others will just make us roll our eyes. Be Mexican smart and avoid these mistakes!
1. You don’t look Mexican
What does that even mean! Putting aside the colonization and subsequent European traits in our DNA, there’s no way of grouping all of Mexico’s indigenous people into one particular look. Besides, Mexico hasn’t always had the territory it does now. If it weren’t for the accent, even Mexicans wouldn’t be able to tell themselves apart from most Central and South Americans.
This old Ted Talk addresses this topic perfectly: ‘Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From’
2. I don’t like corn
*All the Mexican community collapses from a nervous breakdown*. We love, love, being hosts, showing you around and introducing you to our food and culture, so we’ll hit a wall if you say this. Probably 90% of the Mexican dishes use corn as their main ingredient, lol.
3. You speak English SO well
Granted, not everyone speaks English, but we are a very touristy destination therefore we are in constant contact with the language. Plus, many private schools are bilingual, meaning all kindergarten and pre-first classes are taught in English, and elementary school is taught half the day in English and half in Spanish. And… let’s not forget a small thing called ‘globalization’ (we get movies, series, books and music in English).
4. Do you smoke marijuana?
Because I’m Mexican? LOL. This has to be the most recurrent one, but just because we have big drug cartels and lots of marijuana production, doesn’t mean we have easy access to it. Or that our Mexican DNA is pre-disposed to liking it. In fact, on your next trip to Amsterdam count how many Mexicans you find in the coffee shops smoking for the first time!
5. I love Frida Kahlo
We love being popular around the world, but the minute it becomes mainstream and everyone starts dressing like it on Halloween, we hate it and become very touchy on the subject (not everyone, of course). So, if you DO love her, you better be sure to know who she is before saying it out loud –and, “it was a famous Mexican painter” doesn’t count.
6. My favorite song is ‘Despacito’
We will probably nod and smile, but what we’re really thinking is: Cool… Puerto Ricans will be happy!
7. I don’t eat chili
Away goes our joy! Unlike the marijuana, making others try different types of hot peppers (and obviously laughing about their reactions) is in our DNA. Trick: if you can’t stand the heat after our horrible-mean-spirited-inconsiderate jokes, cover your tongue with salt. It’ll calm the burning. Seriously.
8. What will you do for Cinco de Mayo
Probably catch up with ‘Narcos’ on Netflix *rolls eyes*.
Joke aside. Although this is a real Mexican celebration and the state of Puebla does organize events to commemorate this day, the majority of us enjoy our day off work in pj’s.
Would love to know where you’re from and the things people shouldn’t say/assume regarding your nationality…
You may also like: 8 myths about Mexico debunked
I’m Canadian and I will go to Detroit on Cinquo de Mayo for my birthday party! They have a large Mexican town so they close off the streets and make a big party with lots of food and music. Lucky me to have a birthday on that date and my husbands’ is October 31st~
Most of this seems pretty common sense, and nothing I would ever consider doing. I do love hot chilis, and I’m all for trying new varieties, but the corn thing has me in a sticky situation. I’ve followed a keto diet since puberty, because my body puts on weight very easily when I consume carbohydrates, and especially starches. I’ve all but given up on trying to order food the way I order in the US (no starch, substitute extra veg), because people seem to think I’m either very strange or that I’m stuck up when I say “no beans, rice, corn, bread, or tortillas”…. like there’s nothing left to eat if I cut out carbs. I tried ordering without modifying the menu, and just avoid the things I don’t eat, but when the waiter/waitress collects my plate, s/he asks what was wrong with the food and seems a bit insulted (although still polite) when I tell them it’s fine, I just don’t eat those things. So now I ask for a to-go wrapper and throw it away when I leave the restaurant, which is horribly wasteful, and seems a shame, especially in a less developed country. When invited to someone’s home, I am coerced by social niceties to lie and say I have a stomachache from my “medicine” (NEVER from Mexican water!) and cannot eat right now. I’d love some advice about this, because as sweet as Mexicans can be, and as much as I don’t want to hurt their feelings, I prioritize my health and my figure. Mexico is now the fattest country in the world, and it is because of this carb-rich diet, but it’s not exactly polite to point that out. I have to be in Mexico usually at least a month every year for work. Is there a winning move? Feel free to email me.