Job Discussion Forums

[El Gallo]

One of my students has a project to interview a foreigner about what they like (or don't like) about Mexico. Many blogs and forums list many things we don't like but what about the things we like? I did a google search on "positive aspects of Mexican culture" and "what I like about Mexico" and found the results lacking except for this funny UTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oGE0JuPl7Q

I like the family culture, the love of life, fiestas, chipilin tamales, fried taquitos, and chuuros but am sure that I am overlooking some things we like. Any additions to the list?

[MO39]

I love the weather in the mountains in the central part of the country. not too hot, not too cold, and never sticky and humid, even during the summer rainy season!

[Samantha]

El Gallo wrote:

[Guy Courchesne]

I'll pretty much echo Sam on that...though it's hard to gauge. I think there are people who love Mexico and people who hate it, but very few in between. I tend to know far more teachers than expats though.

Me, I'm one of those that loves the place, as I think many of my posts have shown. I love the warmth of the people - towards me and among Mexicans. I love the thinking and philosophies of people here. How they prioritize things, such as family or a kiss in the park, even if that produces some mayhem from time to time. I love the food. I really love the food.

[jillford64]

The truth for me is that I alternate between being fascinated and repulsed by Mexico. I am constantly either amused or frustrated. I want to hug people or slap them. I am never just neutral. Here are some of the things I love: being out and about in a Mexican city at night, that people actually go downtown, that people are so proud of their country but never arrogant about it, the hot chocolate, the colonial architecture, the riotous use of color, not having a car, the creativity of the people for making do with what they've got, the handcrafts, the "more is better" sense of decorating at holidays, the churches, the generous spirit of the people, any shrine to the Virgen Guadalupe but especially the ones in bus stations and markets, that everything is cause for celebration, arrachera, the weather in the highlands, the language, reading my students' writing assignments, and my Mexican girlfriends.

[Samantha]

Guy wrote:

[MELEE]

As you probably have already guessed. I'm like Guy, in love with Mexico. All of Latin America, actually. I have been since I was a child. I was raised to appreciate handicrafts, daughter, granddaughter, niece, and cousin of master craftsmen and women. (yet my brother and I can't seem to make anything??? ) So I have a passion for collecting, displaying and wearing Latin American wares. I love the aesthetics of Mexico, Guatemala, and the Andean Countries.
I also love the climate of my mountian town. So comfortable on my uppermidwestern skin! And the mountians, though I sometimes miss the rolling patchwork quilt patterns of the countryside in my home state, I LOVE the mountains and have hundreds of photos of the views from my terrace.
I love the music. I confess, I love all types of Mexican music. From the town band, to banda, cumbias, trova, latin rock, marrimba, even that heavy nopal stuff. I also love to dance and love that there are so many opportunities to do so.
I love Mexican food. Though I find I do have a weekly tortilla limit, so I usually only do tortillas once a day.
I quess I'm in the minority, I don't think the people are any warmer here than were I'm from. But Indigenous Mexicans are more reserved, and midwestern Americans are not know as "cold". Family is also very important where I grew up.
Long term living in Mexico is not for everyone. But I do think everyone can enjoy it for a time. The key is not to over stay your time, what ever it may be and leave before you start hating it!
I also think it is worth mentioning that WORKING in Mexico is more frustrating than retiring (or visiting, travelling and even studying) in Mexico so that's why you see more complaining here than you do on other Mexico forums.

[Guy Courchesne]

I think it's easier to rant or complain here because most of us are in a common position workwise. Maybe a complaint simply generates more commentary here than the positive stuff. I tend to post more positive things because that's my outlook on life. A lot of the PMs and email I get seem to reflect that.

Off the forum, the teachers I meet seem generally content, but everyone has issues of some sort to deal with for being here in Mexico.

I wonder if the complaints we see here come from being in smaller places where a person has little contact with other foreigners? For my part in DF, I'm always meeting new people and there is always some social circuit, perhaps acting as an outlet for us.

Here's an example...M@tt, who doesn't seem to post much anymore (sorry for this Matt, if you're reading). I got the impression that he didn't interact with a lot of other foreigners here in Mexico City, and we know how he felt about this place. Some of things he would complain about would sometimes leave me thinking that he lived in a completely different Mexico City.

[TheLongWayHome]

Starting work at 11am. That, I do like.

[El Gallo]

Thank you all so much - you have made my student's day. She now has a long list of things foreigners like about Mexico. I wish you could see the smile on her face

[jillford64]

I think people are just naturally inclined to rant and complain about things than they are to be effusive when things are going good. The empathy they get from other people makes them feel better. Most people get it off their chest and move on, but some continue on because they feed on the attention or because it is easier to complain than it is to buck up and make the best of a situation or to make a change.

Obviously, as Melee says, when you are working, you interact with the culture at a whole different level and it is a lot more frustrating. On this forum, those who have moved beyond an entry-level position at the average language school certainly have less to complain about than those who are working long hours for minimal pay. This forum is a natural outlet for complaining because you know there are others out there who can commiserate.

[jillford64]

Here are some more things I love about Mexico: MICHELADA. I love that I run into people I know when I am around town. This almost never happened in the US. I love that I go out with my best friends regularly. In the US, they live in other towns or we mostly only saw each other at work. I love that every Saturday night, the people go watch the Cathedral get lit up like it is the first time they've ever seen it in their lives.

[Phil_K]

Cuitlacoche! Excellent on a pizza with goat's cheese in Gino's Restaurant and in home-made quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese.

Cheap cigarettes - I hear they are around the equivalent of $100 a pack now in England.

[cangringo]

jillford, I must beg to differ with you. Hubby and I are not having problems in the work dept, well ok a little in mine but we are making money and the hours aren't bad. What we complain about are not working conditions etc, but the lack of respect for the environment and animals. The general "good enough" attitude, the idiot drivers and well...many more things like that. We try to be patient but sometimes there is a general stupidity and or ignorance about things that drives us crazy.

On a positive note, I also love that the people are warm and friendly and especially helpful. I love that we stop and chat with our neighbors if we happen to pass them outside. I love that beer and cigs are cheap. I love the beaches and the beauty of much of the country. I love that it's not over regulated here like in Canada.

[jillford64]

Hola Cangrino --I do know what you mean. The things that make up the hate part of my love/hate relationship with Mexico fall along those lines. Hope things are going well for you in your new location. Jill