Have you ever felt disconnected from your cultural heritage? I know I have. Growing up in the United States, I often felt like a stranger in my own family. My parents, immigrants from Mexico, had worked tirelessly to provide for us, but we had lost touch with our Latin roots.
Therefore, when I got married, I decided my kids would get a better introduction to their Latin side. An introduction that goes beyond broken Spanish, warm skin tone, and love for spice and Spanish telenovelas. To offer an authentic introduction, I took them to the land where spice runs in blood and heat brings an unforgettable tan – my homeland, Mexico.
If you have kids or you are planning your first solo trip to Mexico, you have come to the right place. Here are some practical tips and cultural insights that I learned along the way.
Cash Is King
Mexico runs on cash. Some global food chains offer a “pay by card” option but the options are still limited. During my trip, I found myself helpless especially while buying street food, gifts for friends, water bottles, and shopping things from local markets.
Once you enter Mexico, use an ATM or a bank to get the cash. Make sure to only use ATMs in banks and avoid any third-party ATMs that are located near hotels or convenience stores. Most of these third-party ATMs are not safe for transactions and might even charge you a high conversion rate.
While using cash, keep big currency notes, small currency notes, and coins separately. This strategy will help you save a lot of time while paying. Use big notes for buying food, small notes for tipping or shopping from vendors, and coins for using the bathroom.
Common Currency Mistakes to Avoid:
Most US citizens try to pay with dollars. In big hotels and fancy restaurants with fixed prices, paying with dollars is fine. However, in most places paying in dollars means you are a foreigner, which makes you an easy target for money scams.
Haggling Is an Art
Haggling is allowed in Mexico but do not overdo it. During haggling and bargaining, politeness is the key. Mexicans are generally nice people; so they will entertain your queries regarding price. If you talk nicely, use your broken Spanish, or greet them with a smile, there is a high chance that you will end up saving some money.
Haggling is especially fun with local vendors because they generally hike the price for foreigners. However, cutting the price by half or walking away is considered rude. A better approach is to greet, smile, and tell them you find it expensive. Most vendors instantly reduce the price by a few pesos.
Common Haggling Mistakes to Avoid:
Haggling with an artist is not advised. Most of the authentic Mexican handicrafts are prepared with a lot of work, so make sure to respect the art of locals.
Language Can Save You
While many people in Mexico may not be fluent in English, they can often communicate using hand gestures and basic English phrases. For effective communication, try speaking less fluently.
Apart from this, practice some common phrases in Spanish before you travel. There are so many online videos available on YouTube where natives teach basic Spanish. Apart from this, there are free apps for learning Spanish and AI for real-time translation.
Make sure to watch and download at least a few videos with common phrases before you leave. For seamless streaming, use a good internet connection like Xfinity. In case you are fluent in Spanish, Xfinity also offers Xfinity servicio al cliente español for their Spanish customers, so you can get answers to your queries without a language barrier.
Common Language Mistakes to Avoid:
Spanish has formal and informal tones. So when you are talking to an elder, make sure to avoid an informal tone because using informal speech with elders can be seen as disrespectful.
Mexican Food Is More than Texmax
Most Americans love Mexican food. Nachos, Fajitas, Quesadillas, Burritos, Salsa and tacos, games nights, and gatherings are incomplete without these finger foods. Many of these popular Mexican dishes have been adapted to suit the palates of Americans.
While visiting Mexico, prepare to be amazed by the flavors, colors, and freshness of ingredients. As a Mexican, my love for Mexican food knows no bounds, and I love bragging about my spice tolerance. However, Mexican spicy is nearly inedible for US citizens.
Common Food Mistakes to Avoid:
Tap water is generally not clean enough. So, it is better to avoid anything with dripping water, containing water or ice should be avoided. Always ask for mild spices and carry your bottled water along.
Leave You Big Tech Gadgets
The landscape in Mexico is picturesque, so pulling out a camera every few minutes is valid. However, keep in mind that carrying a drone, DSLR, or any kind of professional camera is not recommended. Most areas in Mexico have a “locals only” camera and drone policy.
Moreover, there are also safety reservations. Authorities discourage tourists from bringing high-tech cameras and gadgets to crowded places. Also, make sure to keep your bling locked in hotels for safety.
Common gadget safety mistakes to Avoid:
Only use a high-tech camera or drone if you have Mexican citizenship or a local host alone. Tourist flying drones might get their expensive cameras confiscated.
Top 6 Practical Tips to Save You from Embracement
During my trip, there were a few instances when I found myself in embarrassing situations. For people with no cultural reference or no knowledge about Mexico, these mistakes are quite common. Here are some tips that can help you avoid running into similar situations:
- M label on toilets is not for Men.
- Greeting unknown people is common in Mexican culture
- Tap water is not drinkable
- Don’t flush the toilet papers
- Spicy as per Mexico standards is not edible for foreigners
- Avoid ATMs at the 15th and 30th (paydays) of the month