Mexico

Mexican Culture

Mexico shares its northern border with the U.S., with desert separating each country. Most of Mexico is shielded by mountains, which include the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental ranges. Descendants of the Aztecs and the Mayas, Mexicans enjoy a rich tradition of native legends, artistic expressions, and diverse cultures. The land of deserts, jungles, mountains, and beaches also offers some notable modern architecture and lively conversations at local town squares featuring food and craft markets.

Host a Mexican student in the U.S.

Family Dynamic

In the past, Mexican families were quite large with approximately seven children, but today most urban Mexican families have an average of two. Mexican children generally have few responsibilities outside of studying. It is common for children to live with their parents until they marry and sometimes even after they marry. Families are usually the center of social life for many people. Some are quite large, including the extended family and unmarried children living at home. Parents can be protective, especially with girls. Actively helping people in need is important to local communities. Adult children are expected to take care of their elderly parents, especially the oldest male child. In indigenous communities especially, the elderly are respected.

Teenage Life in Mexico

Family time, school, and sports are important to Mexican teens. Friends often go in town for movies, dancing, and hanging out. Mexican parents are typically more lenient with their children. Mexican teens usually spend most of their academic careers in the same group, so its common to form deep relationships, sometimes even romantic, with their peers in school. Couples might also get together at community social events, cafés, clubs, and bars.

Holidays in Mexico

Mexican holidays include New Year’s Day (January 1); Constitution Day (February 5); Birthday of Benito Juárez (third Monday in March); Labor Day (May 1); Independence Day (September 16), which is marked by a presidential address and El Grito (the cry of freedom) on the evening of September 15th; Día de la Raza (Day of the Races), which celebrates indigenous heritage (October 12); Revolution Day (November 20); and Christmas Day (December 25).

Official Language

Spanish is the official language of Mexico.

Communication Styles

Mexican people are generally indirect communicators. Delivering direct criticisms or refusals is considered impolite, so instead Mexicans may speak in a roundabout way to avoid confrontation. For instance, rather than saying “no” directly, a Mexican person may say, “I’ll see,” which is considered more diplomatic. Generally, Mexicans tend to soften their meaning while communicating. For instance, diminutives are used affectionately by adding “ito” or “ita” to the end of a word. In a group setting, Mexican people tend to speak over each other and laugh loudly, which is generally acceptable.

Mexican Diet

Mexican food is varied, flavorful and sometimes spicy. Tortillas, rice, beans, tacos, and quesadillas are staples. Common Mexican dishes include tortas (hollow rolls stuffed with meat, cheese, or beans), pozole (pork-and-hominy soup), birria (goat soup), and menudo (spicy tripe soup). Enchiladas are tortillas filled with meat and covered in a chili sauce. Tamales are cornmeal dough stuffed with meat, cheese, fruit, or other filling. Mole, a thick, rich sauce from the Mexican state of Oaxaca is also very popular, and as well as delicious homemade fruit drinks.

A giant of culture and liveliness