Job Discussion Forums

shoey_cufc · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Plymouth

Of course I made a blanket statement, the question required one. I am not going to pull out my rose tinted glasses and say that Mexico is amazing and somehow perfect. It isnt�, there are as you say "nuances" and I have pointed those out to the OP from my own experience. The culture is different here and I got stung plenty when I first arrived. You state that presenting a negative view of Mexico is to not understand the culture, yet in the next sentence mention all the "nuances" that visitors have to know. I am merely presenting these a) as I see them and b) how they have been explained to me by my Mexican friends here. Perhaps it is you BBB who doesn�t properly understand what you see, or just wants to close your eyes and pretend it doesn�t happen.

jserio · Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 61

I can't say much about Mexico (only visited once or twice on vacations) but I spent a year in Georgia and while the people are incredibly hospitable, they will lie to your face without flinching. I've had students, host family, friends, and teachers lie to me at various times during the last year. But yeah, they are good people. So, I agree with some of the statements here about not trusting people and watch out for the liars. I think this is true in many countries. People can be great to you but still lie.

That said, I am seriously considering Mexico for my next job. I've only been doing ESL for 1 year, I have a Masters degree (non-Education) and no ESL certs. I was thinking of going to Cuernavaca in January for my CELTA and then trying to find a job. Besides David, anyone else down there? What can I expect job-wise in January/February? Also, would a TKT be better than a CELTA?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:10 am Post subject:

It's not that I'm fond of people who lie all the time, but I think we should keep in mind that in Mexico a little white lie (Of course, I will come to your party next week) is deemed more polite than being honest and saying, Sorry, I can't make it. Sometimes "lies" like this can be a pleasant way of getting out of an uncomfortable situation. I would hope that you wouldn't let a couple of posts at Dave's about lying in Mexico keep you from coming here. Whenever something happens to get you down, there's always the usually fantastic weather to pick up your spirits. If you come to Cuernavaca, that will be especially true.

shoey_cufc · Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Plymouth

MotherF · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject:

I have to agree that in Mexico, people go into friendships because they think they will get something from it--but rather than seeing that as using you, they see it as alliance forming. And you better bet they are willing to give as well as take. But it is quite possible that a foreign born English teacher will not need the things their Mexican friends have to give to the relationship, so maybe be more likely to fail to see it as a two-way street. In Mexico business is done via who you know. The more people you know the better. Unfortunately I've met a lot of Mexicans who don't realize that not all the world works like that, and they are quite disappointed that there is no way their relationship with me will help them get a visa for the US or help their nephew who is currently in a US prison. Crying or Very sad

All in all, Mexico and Mexicans have given me so much more than they have asked of me so it's working out in my favor.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't like the idea that a Mexican wanted to be friends with me solely because of what we could do for each other. However, I certainly understand the idea that in Mexico, you can count on a friend using his or her influence to help you out when help is needed, and vice-versa. For example, one of my students has a good position in a local paper company, and when I mentioned to her that I need to have my living room painted, she offered to get the paint for me using her employee discount.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Last edited by Prof.Gringo on Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:59 pm; edited 1 time in total

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:01 pm Post subject:

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:03 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

torentosan · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 54

Thanks for the replies. I think I have gotten some useful information...

Just some thoughts.

You get charged the "Gringo Tax" in practically every country.
In my experience, people in most countries will lie to you more easily than back home..but that does not mean that people were always lying to me.

Talking about the negatives of a country is also helpful. The challenge is to figure out if the accuser is sometimes at fault. Everyone knows not to over generalize. I think.

It seems that in the Latin American forums it is hard to get agreement on pay and how far it will go. For instance in the Korean forums everyone is quick to tell you that you should be making X amount and you can save X amount. But for Latin America it seems it is hit or miss. One could find work for very little or just as easily with some luck find a job that allows them to save $500 a month. But there does seem to be a good number of teachers staying in Mexico for a long time.

I feel close to a decision now. It's Mexico or Peru. If I choose Peru it will be Lima. If I choose Mexico, it will be Mexico City or Guadalajara. I am leaning heavily towards Mexico now.