Job Discussion Forums

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Guy Courchesne]

I like to look at things the other way, though not many share this opinion with me. I try to reject labels like developing world or first world. All that does is imply that it the rest of the world should develop into a first world country, like my own of Canada. But develop into what? A slave to the clock and credit card country? Develop into a place where the simple act of getting to know someone new is more often done through a computer than face to face? Develop into a place where what passes for food is little more than shredded plastic? Please...

Here's a nice anecdote: a newly arrived teacher in DF noted a lack of ambulances on the busy city streets. She asked if Mexico had hospitals. I hadn't thought of it before, but now that I think back to my last trips home and to see foreigners coming to Mexico, I can only conclude that people here just don't get sick as often as overweight, pill-popping Canadians do.

Of course, many will point out that it's very easy for me, a foreigner in Mexico, to say such a thing from a "privledged"(?) position, while there is an awful lot of poverty. Point taken. But now let's take a look at why all that poverty exists. Take a look at where all the wealth is in Mexico. In the very hands of the 'first-worlders', the ruling class...the ones we in Canada and the US prefer to do business with. It makes an interesting picture to see a Mexican politico and a Canadian businessman shake hands while agreeing that opening a factory in Oaxaca and paying 'above local rates' is good for the country and the people. If a local rate is next-to-nothing, 'above local rates' means (according to my How to Exploit a Country 101 course) next-to-next-to-nothing.

Before coming here, I had always thought that first-world meant things like fair, and just, and that we were well-off because of those things. I now know where to find those supposed first-world values...very, very, far from the first-world.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Guy Courchesne]

I knew there would be stats coming to show me disagreement. I hate numbers...

While there certainly is less access to good health care, I'll point this out, which caused my earlier comments. Canada has good health care simply because there are so many illnesses and first-world ills to cure! I'm not saying there aren't similar things here, but take a look at just one aspect...how fat we are up there (present company excluded!). Heart disease, smoking, and strokes are the top killers there. While they are here as well, people in Mexico simply can't spend on such an unhealthy lifestyle to the level we do.

In Canada, you get a bypass. Then you continue living the way you did until you need another. And another. In Mexico, you never get the bypass and simply die. That explains the lower life expectancy.

That's a harsh way to look at it, and I'm sorry if anyone gets offended by it. I'm not even going to try to go looking for the stats to back it up. It's much easier to take my Mexican wife home to Canada and wait for her to point out the size of people there, or count the ambulances racing to the hospital.

Going back to the first thing I wrote, maybe there are just as many ambulances. They're just all stuck on the Periferico like everyone else.

[Guy Courchesne]

Just reading back on what you wrote Ben. Sorry, I'm putting this the wrong way. I mean to comment more on how unhealthy a lifestyle we have in the US and Canada.

I've met a string of teachers lately from the US and Canada who are ill. Some say they come to Mexico to feel or get better. For some, that's for better climate. For others, that's cheaper medication. for most, it's simply more exercise (all you teachers from Los Angeles know this).

For my own point of view, I think it unhealthy to irradiate food, to add growth hormone to diary cattle, to add chlorine to drinking water, and so forth. I think we don't even know how unhealthy all this stuff is in Canada...we just believe what they tell us.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[moonraven]

Just a couple of quick comments--every time I go back to the US (and I am back there this week) it is very hard for me to face eating out at restaurants because of the huge portions. Even ordering the most basic meal I find myself staring down a plate of food that would feed a family of four in Mexico.

Many of the older campesino women in the community where I live are very concerned that Mexicans are adopting the junk food habits of the US. I belileve they are justified ini their concern, as last semester in my classes we did a survey to find out how many students at the university were healthy Food Fanatics and how many were Junk Food Junkies, and more than 50 percent were Junk Food Junkies. We spent some time trying to plan healthy diets, but intervention is much more difficult than prevention.

For many years now, the number one cause of death in more than one Mexican state has been cirrhosis of the liver.

[Paulie2003]

Just an early Saturday mornin' with another round of posts...let me say at the onset that I don't personally think that it takes much of an education to scarf down a 'huge meaty-cheesy' or a plate of fried chicken and fried fries - especially not 'higher' ed. But, unfortunately, I think these are the least of our woes. What about the horrendous consequences of global warming (four hurricanes in the sunny paradise in one season - and not through yet) or look at the devastation in Haiti (a 'sign' of things to come?)

I'll tell ya...if this keeps up...Armageddon outta here!! Fast!!!!!!

Oh no...NOT YOU AGAIN!!!

[ls650]

Never mind diet or alcohol - how about smoking?

I'm amazed at the number of my fellow teachers (both Mexican and non-Mexican) who smoke cigarettes. These are well-educated people who KNOW that smoking causes diseases such as cancer.

Many of my fellow teachers smoke in their offices. When it's pointed out to them that there are 'non-smoking' signs in the hall, they simply say, "Hey, that's out in the hallway. If you ask nicely I might close my office door..."

I think you can point out to people all you want that they have an unhealthy habit, such as cigarette or 'junk' food addiction, but most will simply ignore you. Most people simply don't care about the consequences that may occur 20 years from now.

[Paulie2003]

I like your quote - I guess I've read a couple of chapters by now...but you know, like enjoying a good book, these things should be done slowly and deliberately. Travel an either grow or blow your mind...depending upon where you 'grounding' lies. If there is one thing that newcomers to travel and teaching should know its: It's not how much you know - but how much you an adapt. (Now where was it that I laid that Big Mac, Coke and Marlboro....????

[Paulie2003]

Darn omputer keeps missing the 'c's - an't tell exactly what the problem is!!