|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:27 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
| The message is clear: Mexico is a joke. |
PG calm down... here, have one of my floats. 
I think what Sam was saying is that there are legal and good business practice (read cultural sensitivity) ways of doing something like this. This fella didn't do either. Is this any more or less than what the US is requiring Mexican migrants to adhere to? Yes, there is the whole matter of nepotism, corruption, etc but that's everywhere too. What I like about Mexico is it's out in the open.
What intrigues me more is the wife who's trained as a lawyer, yet can't find meaningful work in her chosen profession. This is happening all over the world. There are only so many positions in every profession, yet universities continue to churn out grads at astonishing numbers. And for whatever reason, too many who graduate from universities do so holding a silver 'I deserve' tray - instead of a hammer that says 'I'm ready to do whatever I have to'.
Why don't we (in all countries) encourage young people to take up trades? Why don't we promote more technical schools such as those specializing in computer related industries? Why aren't there more business colleges to teach young people to think independently, and teach them skills needed to create their own businesses? NOTE to Professor: why not develop an EFL program that targets some of these (wouldn't a mechanic benefit by speaking English? A tourist bus driver? I remember once being asked by a group of indigenous ladies in San Cristobal if I'd teach them English)...
Back to my rant, so...
Why has western society convinced themselves that the only education of value comes from a university? Why? Just like Mexican schools, universities elsewhere have become big business.
| wrote: |
| bennies aren't a retirement plan ...you can pretty much lose your job anytime thanks to all the nepotism and corruption. |
I agree with the poster here. These are without a doubt contributing reasons for a generally unmotivated student body... not bad teachers.
As for the posters comments about the USA being #1? Er, no thanks. 
Rant over.
Regards,
Dragonlady |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
What intrigues me more is the wife who's trained as a lawyer, yet can't find meaningful work in her chosen profession. This is happening all over the world. There are only so many positions in every profession, yet universities continue to churn out grads at astonishing numbers. And for whatever reason, too many who graduate from universities do so holding a silver 'I deserve' tray - instead of a hammer that says 'I'm ready to do whatever I have to'.
Why don't we (in all countries) encourage young people to take up trades? |
Quite right on this one. In education alone, Ontario has been producing way too many new teachers. Friends in the Toronto area have been waiting 7 years to get an assignment in their region and they aren't alone on the waiting list.
It's a real shame there aren't enough people in Canada taking up trades...in the 90's, Ontario cut funding to a long standing apprenticeship program in favour of moving people into computer and software engineering (think Mexico is bad? It was amazing how many dinky little 'computer colleges' opened almost overnight in Ottawa).
Of course, walking around the Zocalo in DF and one finds no shortage of plumbers, electricians, and general labourers advertising their services...guess they haven't found their way up north.
Last edited by Guy Courchesne on Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| NOTE to Professor: why not develop an EFL program that targets some of these (wouldn't a mechanic benefit by speaking English? A tourist bus driver? |
There has to be all kinds of room for programs like these. I was contracted by an electrician training school several years back to teach English to a large group of men just finishing up their electrician certification courses (this same school also works as a farm system for bigger engineering outfits, so many of these guys had already been recruited into jobs, some requiring some English).
I went in with 6 hours' worth of basic level English planned but rapidly discovered few in the class had a head for languages, even if the interest was there. I ended up using electrical theory as a means to teach at least something in English and sure enough, I got much more participation. I was lucky to have had some college level experience in electrical engineering mind you, but it was a very poignant example of how a specialized program might have served these people better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
deleted
Last edited by Dragonlady on Sat Feb 18, 2012 2:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Samantha wrote: |
C'mon Prof Gringo...let's not get carried away. Are you still here in Mexico? As you know, Mexico is Mexico. It is what it is, but I certainly wouldn't call it a joke. I've lived here over 10 years. I, for one, don't consider the USA #1, or even #2. Why do we even have to compare? That doesn't compute, as it makes no sense. My point was that it just doesn't work out for a newcomer foreigner to hang an "informal" shingle on someone's else's turf. It's the way it is. The beach boys are like the taxi driver's union. Don't even think about it. 
I don't know where to start to address what you have written. You have jumped to some conclusions. First of all, the guy to which I was referring was a new kid on the block at the "lesson" stage. He decided to stay after meeting his woman, but he hadn't married her yet. He needed money to stay on. (Like a back-packer teacher, only not). You probably know that there are tons of lawyers, accountants, psychologists, dentists, and many others not working in their chosen fields. There are many graduates, but not as many jobs. This guy will do alright in the end. He married into one of the oldest families in the Ejido. His wife's restaurant was handed down from an elderly aunt and has the only beer license on the "island". They sell to all the other restaurants there.
Unfortunately, businesses in this area are seasonal, based on weather and holidays. It's the downside of living on the ocean. Tourism is way down now, affecting everyone. People do what they have to do here, but the one thing about the Mexicans I know, is that they don't sit around and whine about things. They get on with it. That's #1 in my book. |
I'll admit Mexico might not be a joke but the US is still #1 for opportunities in my book. But I guess that's why Americans that find themselves outta luck in Mexico usually head home. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Oreen Scott
Joined: 11 Jan 2008
Posts: 179
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Anyone who leaves a G8 country and comes to Mexico in search of an upwardly mobile career path or financial opportunities is a person lacking in research and critical thinking skills.
Most people who stay here year in and year out, obviously preferring Mexico to their homeland, have reasons other than financial ones for their choice.
It's my understanding two types of work are available to foreigners in Mexico - teaching English and selling condos.
The United States isn't a country that is particularly welcoming to foreigners. The facts are that the United States has strict immigration laws. Americans rightfully want to protect their jobs.
Mexico has a serious underemployment problem. An underemployment problem far greater than that of the United States. By the way, this should be obvious to everyone.
Personally, I can go home anytime I want. If I didn't like it here I'd go home. But then, I'm one of those retirees who lives comforably on a retirement income and loves working with street children.
I moved here to give something of value and to gain heartfelt wisdom I wouldn't have received if I had stayed in my rich country of origin. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
I would think Mexicans would feel honored that somebody would choose to immigrate to Mexico seeing that millions and millions of Mexicans choose to emigrate. |
In my vast experience in the region with such high indices of immigration that entire villages are empty or left with no males, most Mexicans are confused by someone who chooses to immigrate to Mexico. I have this conversation everytime in VW goes to the shop and I get in a taxi. The drivers are confused as to why I'm here.
But I do know foriegners who are legally doing other things. There is an American guy in my town who has a tire alignment shop. That's his field and all he needed to get his visa was to show that he had the capital to open the business to support his Mexican wife and child. He employees three Mexicans in his business. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oreen Scott wrote:
| Quote: |
It's my understanding two types of work are available to foreigners in Mexico - teaching English and selling condos. |
Foreigners can be self-employed or open businesses to employ others. There are more opportunities than just English teaching and time share selling. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
amaranto
Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Posts: 133
Location: M�xico, D.F.
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with Samantha. I don't work in either of those two fields and do well here. I have American friends who work in banking management and psychology here; both of them do well. We all came to Mexico for enrichment purposes, albeit with some kind of plan, and ended up positioning ourselves well. The money definitely wasn't good at first, and we all started out teaching English at low-paying jobs, but you figure out the system as you go.
I studied Spanish linguistics at the graduate level--and I studied here in Mexico some--before I moved here and began working as a translator. I am now taking classes in translation and getting a lot of practical experience. There is actually a higher demand for me here, as a native English-speaking translator, than there is in the US, my home country, even though rates are a bit lower in Mexico. I feel like the cost of living here (for me, specifically) makes up for that.
The other two friends I mentioned got their master's degrees here in Mexico in their corresponding fields and then applied for jobs. They had other reasons for being here that weren't economic, but now they wish to stay and live according to their definitions of what is comfortable.
So, based on my personal experience, there are job opportunities in Mexico besides teaching English, but they require specific education and training in many cases. Also, as everyone says all of the time on this forum, connections help. I don't know anyone who came to Mexico with connections--though I'm sure these people exist--but if you position and market yourself well, work hard, and do a good job, you can eventually form the connections that will bring you more work in the future. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
While you may disagree with another member's opinion, you are not free to attack him or her for their opinion or impugn their reasons for posting here.
An inappropriate posting along these lines has just been deleted and a warning issued to the posting member.
If this type of thing continues on the Mexico forum, it is more than highly probable that some members will no longer be with us. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
leslie
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 235
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:28 pm Post subject: other jobs |
|
|
I know a German who had a German restaurant... but I think he had his Mexican wife as the legal owner.
I know an American lady who owns a flower/gift shop, but I think she registers it under her "Mexican"-born child.
I know some foreigners who are oral examiners for Cambridge. Related to teaching, but not teaching. Just need a degree.
I know a few publisher representatives who are American (not sure of their status) who give the English promotional talks for the publishers. You see them at the conferences too. Again related to teaching English, but not teaching.
I know some Americans who own a shrimp fishing business. Hmmm... do you fish for shrimp? I don't know their particular status.
So, maybe there are other jobs to be had in Mexico. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It is perfectly OK for a foreign to set up in business as a sole trader in Mexico (persona f�sica), but there is a lot of discussion and confusion about whether you can actual INCORPORATE (Sociedad An�nima). My research of a lot of legal websites suggests that a company in Mexico can be 100% foreign owned, due to a more recent change in the law (with the exception of certain protect industries, petroleum, enery, fishing, etc).
However, I cannot find a definitive resource, i.e. the applicable law. Does anyone have reliable information on this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
amaranto
Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Posts: 133
Location: M�xico, D.F.
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The short answer is yes, a foreign individual or legal entity may incorporate a company in Mexico without the aid of a Mexican partner/investor.
Articles 5 and 6 of the General Law of Commercial Companies (Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles) define the formalities involved in incorporation and give a breakdown of the content that must be included in the company's articles of incorporation:
http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/144.pdf
Article 89 of the same law gives specific guidelines for the incorporation of a sociedad an�nima.
If you look at Article 4 of the Law of Foreign Investment (Ley de Inversi�n Extranjera), you will see a definition of activities that are permitted to foreign investors.
http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/44.pdf
Chapter II begins the list of restricted and prohibited activities.
Hope this helps! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
donato
Joined: 05 May 2010
Posts: 98
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
I am curious as to know any guy that walks into a McDonald's in the U.S. and within three years is making $60,000. That sounds more than unrealistic. If I'm wrong- please send me a link and maybe I'll be selling happy meals in my near future.
I did meet an American in Guadalajara that did very well- but...he was a loan shark  . I suppose it can be difficult as an American to make a decent wage in an honest way. Been in Condesa, Mexico City after three or four months in Guadalajara and I can't get over how expensive it is here. Hundreds of bars and restaurants in the area and it's about 2 1/2 times as expensive as I'm used to (way too expensive for me at this point). The area is really nice though, and I'm having fun eating at the 7-11!
Some realistic recommendations would be ethnic food. The overwhelming majority of ethnic food places I've found to be more than a joke. Real Italian, Greek/Lebanese, Thai...even pizza- most places are horrific compared to places back home. I've even dropped some $$$$ on high-end places and have not found anything of even close to extraordinary quality. Of course you'd really have to know your shit. I'm sure in Mexico City there are real places, but in Guadalajara you could make an absolute killing if the food was good. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Drop that Big Bite and just walk away. Slowly.
Have you tried dining in colonia Roma, just across Insurgentes from Condesa? Prices are much more reasonable and you can find some decent Italian, French, and Russian. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
