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Retire in Mexico and Every Day is Opposite Day: 2 Cultural Differences in Daily Communication
from: Julia Taylor"Yes" means "no." "Now" means "later."
My English student came by at the time of her lesson and
pronounced this carefully rehearsed question: "Will you give me
30 minutes?" I wasn't completely sure that she meant she needed
30 more minutes until the class started or that maybe she meant
she could only stay for 30 minutes.
"Do you want to have class now?" I asked, trying to clarify the
situation while still using English.
"Yes, now," she replied.
"Ok. Come on over," I gestured to my door.
"I have to eat first."
Do you get it? Why did she say "now" when she really meant 30
minutes later? When you first live or retire in Mexico, you
might be confused by this. After 4 years here, I got it right
away.
In Spanish, when someone says "ahorita" they actually mean "in a
bit." My student was using an English word to express a Mexican
cultural concept.
"In English now means right away, like in 30 seconds," I told
her, snapping my fingers to illustrate the point.
Of course this happens to us north Americans when we are
speaking Spanish. Forget whatever impressions you may have left
over from your high school Spanish class. Cultural differences
define the ways things are expressed in Spanish. If someone
tells you they will do something "ahorita" don't hold your
breath. It may take them a few hours to do it.
Another great opposite is "yes" means "no."
"No" is a taboo phrase, and is therefore rarely used in Mexico.
Instead people just say "yes," albeit more vaguely.
"How can this be?" you ask. Let me tell you, it can be a real
shocker when you first live or retire in Mexico. The real damage
comes in when you, as a person from a country where "no" is an
acceptable response, use the poisonous little word. I've flubbed
up on this one many a time and, let me tell you, people's faces
fall. They feel terrible when you tell them "no."
If you want to say "no" STOP YOURSELF. Try to say "yes" first,
then add something that keeps things very vague. If saying "yes"
feels too much like you will have to follow through on the "yes"
then just give lots of excuses, say "thank you" over and over
and leave the "no" out.
At first you will probably feel like you are lying, but if you
KNOW HOW TO 'NO' it will be much more comfortable for you. When
interacting with others tune in to when they are being vague and
take note of the hedge words they use. By observing others you
can build a "no saying" dictionary that will allow you to
maintain good relationships with friends and acquaintances.--jt
About the author:
Julia Taylor has been living in Mexico for 4 years as an
American expat. She shares her extensive cultural knowledge with
those who want to live or retire in Mexico. Visit her website at
http://www.home-sweet-mexico.com to learn more about cultural
differences, safety, making friends, setting up a home, getting
around, and much more.
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Mexico Specific links
Mexico News
Mexico's PRI repudiates pol linked by US to cartel - Fox News
 Houston Chronicle | Mexico's PRI repudiates pol linked by US to cartel Fox News Mexico's PRI, poised to retake the presidency this year after more than a decade in opposition, sought on Wednesday to distance itself from a prominent party member accused by US authorities of taking bribes from drug cartels. Mexico Party Suspends ex-Governor Over Probe Mexico political party suspends former official in drug-money scandal Mexico opposition party chides ex-governor in drug probe |
Mexico makes arrest in 2006 murder of US journalist - Fox News
 New York Daily News | Mexico makes arrest in 2006 murder of US journalist Fox News The slain journalist's parents, who traveled to Mexico in October 2008 to demand justice for their son, condemned the arrest of Martinez, while Amnesty International said he was being "used as a scapegoat by the Mexican authorities to claim there has ... Mexico captures suspect in slay of US reporter Mexico captures suspect in death of US journalist New Arrest in Death of US Activist Reporting on Mexico Protests |
Expatriates in drug violence-riddled Mexico: Stay or go? - USA TODAY
 USA TODAY | Expatriates in drug violence-riddled Mexico: Stay or go? USA TODAY By David Agren, Special for USA TODAY SAN JUAN COSALÁ, Mexico — Pedro Toro Calvario, 15, stepped out for tacos with two cousins one night in April in this village of close-knit families on idyllic Lake Chapala. By David Agren, for USA TODAY Kenneth ... Expatriates in Mexico: Should they stay or go? |
Mexico's PRI eyes jump-start to reforms if victorious-aide - Reuters
 Kansas City Star | Mexico's PRI eyes jump-start to reforms if victorious-aide Reuters By Dave Graham and Adriana Barrera | MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's main opposition faction hopes to secure support for energy, fiscal and labor market reforms by December if its candidate who is well ahead in the polls wins the presidency, ... 1000s of students protest media in Mexico Mexicans Protest Ties Between Politics, Media Thousands of students protest media coverage of Mexico's presidential election |
Mexico's Zetas cartel rewrites drug war in blood - msnbc.com
 msnbc.com | Mexico's Zetas cartel rewrites drug war in blood msnbc.com By Ioan Grillo VALLECILLO, Mexico — Mexican government forces had bottled up a band of enemy fighters in this tiny village late last year, but feared they would escape into the dusty, rock-strewn hills. So more than 600 soldiers and federal police ... Mexico: Zetas gang ordered slaughter of 49 as part of ploy Mexican army: Zetas leaders ordered killing of 49 |
