Traditional Culture

Mexicans in general are friendly, humorous and helpful to visitors but very private and even secretive, trustworthy but not trusting. As an outsider, you can make yourself understood with a little Spanish, yet you may never really understand Mexican people. This doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

Mexicans are people are exceedingly proud, yet have a capacity for enjoying life. They are both formally polite and genuinely kind. Don't flaunt your wealth. Not only is this in bad taste, it could make you a target for theft. Never say anything offensive about Mexico, or about a family member. And don't do anything that could be seen as flirting with anybody's spouse.

Roman Catholicism is the prevailing religion of most Mexicans. Dating back to the Franciscan, Dominican, Augustinian and Jesuit missionaries who entered Mexico with the Spanish conquerors, the power and position of the Roman Catholic Church has been preeminent in much of the country's social history.

Life is fairly informal and casual dress is recommended. Local customs and traditions should be respected. In general, it's recommended that women dress conservatively in towns, avoid shorts, sleveless tops, etc. Everyone should lean toward the more respectful end of the dress spectrum when visiting churches. Most Mexicans are friendly and polite. The handshake is the customary greeting and should be used even if only in passing. Alcohol is available and smoking is acceptable Mexicans regard relationships ad friendships as the most important thing in life next to religion and they are not afraid to show their emotions.

Business is conducted in a friendly atmosphere and formal clothing is recommended. It is important to make an appointment well in advance meetings may commence with small talk for example the family, weather etc as Mexicans consider it impolite to plunge directly into business. Mexicans attach much importance to the use of courtesy and the use of titles.

Family

Traditional family ties remain very strong in Mexico. Some have been observed that Mexicans only truly reveal themselves to their families. An invitation to a Mexican home is quite an honor for an outsider; as a guest you will probably be treated royally and enter a part of real Mexico to which few outsiders are admitted. The strong mother-son bond also means that it's crucial for a Mexican wife to get along with her mother-in-law. And while the virtue of daughters and sisters has to be protected at all costs, other women - including foreign tourists without male companions - may be seen as fair game by Mexican men. The other side of the machismo coin is women who emphasize their femininty.

Although educational levels in Mexico have improved substantially in recent decades, the country still faces daunting problems. Education is one of the Mexican government’s highest priorities and is being decentralized from federal to state authority in order to improve accountability.

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