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suronosur
Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 6:27 am Post subject: Tips for a woman working in DF? |
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Hello all, I know for some this may seem trivial, but can anyone provide tips for a woman who will be taking public transportation to and from work in Mexico City soon and will be expected to show "excelente presentaci�n"?
For example:
Do you leave your home fully "gussied up" and then just touch up hair/ makeup when you get to work?
Do you carry a purse? Back pack? Tote?
Shoes: flat and sensible? Or carry a change of shoes in your purse/tote?
Accessories?
I know that Mexican women in general, and capitalinas in particular, tend to take great pride in their appearance. The office where I'll be working will probably be on the fancier side, so I definitely don't want to look like a schlub. I'm only used to driving to work so I'm not sure how to show up NOT looking like I just took a combi, a micro, two different trains, and the metrobus to get to work.
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I am a person of the contrary gender, but...
According to my Mexican wife, it is wise to go easy on the bling, or just put them in your purse (I can speak gringo!!!) and put them on later.
Much as it pains me to say it, many women prefer tailored pants (more gringoese!) to skirts/dresses for traveling on buses/metro, and they are accepted in most, if not all workplaces. If you prefer more feminine attire, it's best to make sure it's modest, as the macho culture is alive and kicking in Mexico.
You are right though that in my non-expert opinion Mexican women do seem to enjoy their femininity more than their UK/US sisters; it's just a matter of how well you are able to balance that sensibly with your personal comfort and safety. |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 1186 Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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In addition to the good tips you were already given, I would suggest a tote or briefcase, and keep all your jewelry in that till you get to work. Since most people take public transportation to work, especially if they work downtown, it looks like most people have figured it out. It is very common, though, to see a whole line of women in the washroom not only touching up, but even putting on, makeup, even using a curling iron. If you like to wear heels, I would keep a neutral pair in your desk and wear flats to work. |
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suronosur
Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Posts: 6
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for your replies BadBeagleBad and Phil_K!
So in summary:
Pants not skirts
Flats not heels
Tote/briefcase not purse
Easy on the bling
Ride the front carriages of metro/metrobus
BadBeagleBad, when you say there's a whole line of women in the washroom getting ready, is that at the washroom at work? Or at the metro station?
Any other tips will be greatly appreciated! |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:52 am Post subject: |
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I didn't say pants, not skirts, but keep the skirts modest! Personally, and being a man , I think a woman looks much more elegant in a skirt, as well as much more professional (more important).
Also, many lines of the metro divide the platform at rush hour, herding the women (if they wish!) into woman-only carriages. There are also some (pink) women only buses, but they are few and far between. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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All good advice. Sad indictment of the macho culture though.
Burqa anyone? |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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the peanut gallery wrote: |
All good advice. Sad indictment of the macho culture though.
Burqa anyone? |
Why don't men wear shorts here? |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 1186 Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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suronosur wrote: |
BadBeagleBad, when you say there's a whole line of women in the washroom getting ready, is that at the washroom at work? Or at the metro station?
Any other tips will be greatly appreciated! |
Yeah, the washroom at work! I worked for a couple of years in a travel agency, and it was a sight to see! There were 4 or 5 vanities, and there would be 6 or 7 women lined up, putting on makeup, fixing their hair, using a curling iron, all kinds of stuff. Very common. |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 1186 Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Phil_K wrote: |
\
Also, many lines of the metro divide the platform at rush hour, herding the women (if they wish!) into woman-only carriages. There are also some (pink) women only buses, but they are few and far between. |
Few are far between, but they do run on a schedule. So once you find out what time one comes, it will come within a certain window of time, say 10 or 12 minutes, every day. Especially if you are catching it at one end of the line or the other. I live close to a major artery, and have the pink buses figured out, and don't mind waiting a few minutes to take one, just not to be surrounded by a pile of cabrones. |
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suronosur
Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Posts: 6
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:52 am Post subject: |
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Much appreciated everybody! |
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