Greetings
Greetings in the Mexican culture depend on the relationship between two people and their gender and age. In Mexico, it is common to greet people with a handshake and a hug when meeting for the first time. In addition, people usually greet each other with a ‘buenos dias’ (good morning) or ‘buenas tardes’ (good afternoon). They also exchange two kisses on the cheek, depending on the region and the social context.
For example, in the northern states of Mexico, such as Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, people kiss once on the cheek when greeted. In the southern states, such as Oaxaca and Chiapas, they kiss twice on the cheek.
Common Greetings
In Mexico, people generally greet each other with close friends and members of their extended families with two kisses, one on each cheek. In business and formal settings, it is common to shake hands – men with men and men with women. When saying goodbye or bidding farewell, the same rules apply when greeting.
Standard greetings in Spanish are:
- Hola (Hello)
- Buenos días (Good morning)
- Buenas tardes (Good afternoon)
- Buenas noches (Good evening/night)
- Adiós (Bye/ Goodbye)
It is customary for Mexicans to inquire about a person’s family when saying hello, which often leads to conversational topics about family activities and news. Some common questions include: ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?), ¿Cómo está tu familia? (How is your family?), ¿Qué tal tu mamá/papá? (How is your mum/dad?). When someone speaks in English, they often start the conversation by saying “Welcome” or “Have a nice day” in Spanish.
Respectful Body Language
The culture’s emphasis on respect dominates body language and etiquette in Mexico. People should always be greeted formally, whether they meet someone for the first time or already know them. It is important to remember that body language should also be consistent with this respect. When exchanging greetings with an older person, it is essential to use formal language and a respectful tone of voice.
Eye contact should be direct yet still subtle and appropriate; staring or maintaining direct eye contact for a long time can appear aggressive. It is customary to shake hands upon meeting someone new, but with those with whom you are acquainted, such as friends and family, it is more common to give a kiss on the right cheek for women and a hug for men. It is polite to wait for the other person to initiate a greeting before offering your salutation. Slouching or showing too much affection in public is inappropriate in many instances; being emotionally expressive can also strongly depend on who you’re speaking with.
In general, though, Mexican people value making guests feel welcome—smiles are sometimes seen as friendlier than actually using words—it’s important not to forget this when entering a Mexican home or business!
Social Customs
Understanding the cultural customs of Mexico is essential for anyone looking to visit. The social traditions of Mexico are unique and can vary widely depending on where you are located. With a mix of indigenous beliefs and the influence of the Spanish, Mexican culture has a unique approach to social norms.
Here, we’ll explore the courtesies and common customs of Mexico and how you can use them to interact with locals properly:
Gift Giving
The context of the occasion largely determines gift-giving in Mexico. When invited to someone’s home, bringing a gift for your host or hostess is polite. Chocolates, flowers, and pastries are all good choices. If you bring flowers, avoid white lilies and chrysanthemums, as they are symbols of death. Presents are usually opened when received; however, the recipient may open the gift privately on special occasions.
In addition to special occasions like birthdays and holidays, it is polite to thank your host with a small token after receiving hospitality. For example, before leaving a dinner or gathering at someone else’s home, present your host with something small such as flowers or wine, and thank them for their hospitality. The customary phrase for thanking your host is “gracias por la hospitalidad.”
When shopping in Mexico, gifts should generally be purchased locally if possible – foreign visitors may want to shop at traditional street markets (tianguis) or craft stores (artesanias) where they can find locally made items such as embroidered Huipiles (dresses), serapes (blankets), toys and jewelry that make great souvenirs from a trip to Mexico.
Dining Etiquette
When invited to a Mexican home, it is appropriate to bring flowers or chocolates, but please avoid wearing white if possible. Make sure that any gifts are packaged nicely, as presentation is important. Ordering food in a restaurant is usually done by the person who extended the invitation; however, you can certainly suggest dishes you would like and offer to pick up the tab.
When dining at someone’s home, wait until your host invites you to begin eating. Always accept food when offered, even if you are full, and try some of everything provided – it is considered rude not to try it, at least! Also, keep in mind that meals tend to last quite a bit longer than those in North America, so feel free to take breaks for conversation or take small bites between larger ones throughout the length of the meal – this ensures that everyone gets a chance to enjoy their conversations without rushing.
Always maintain good table manners when dining with Mexicans; don’t talk with food in your mouth, and avoid making negative comments about food or drinks. Complimenting them shows appreciation for their hospitality and effort.
On parting, you may receive hugs and kisses on both cheeks from men, women, and children (depending on their age group) and reciprocate politely – this is similar to many Latin American countries and something frequently done between close friends even when meeting after a long absence! Be sure not to leave before your host does, as it is considered rude; feel free to linger over coffee until they indicate that it’s time for you all to leave together.
Conversation Topics
Conversation topics in Mexico are generally similar to those in other Western countries. Family and friends, current events, sports, and leisure activities are safe topics of conversation and will usually help you make a favorable impression on your new Mexican acquaintances.
It is best to avoid discussing politics or controversial topics unless you know the person well. Therefore, your opinions about such matters should be expressed cautiously and only after some familiarity has been established between you and your Mexican friends. Additionally, one should be aware that religious topics may also prove sensitive for some Mexicans and should be addressed judiciously.
It is courteous to engage in small talk before moving on to more complicated conversations, as this gives people from both sides of a conversation the opportunity to become more comfortable with each other. However, personal questions are not common in Mexican culture, so one should be careful not to cross boundaries that could lead to an awkward situation. Instead, stick with light-hearted subjects until both parties feel at ease before progressing further into personal rituals or beliefs that may be uncomfortable for either party.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Mexico, though indigenous languages are also spoken in some regions. Knowing some Spanish is recommended for travelers, as it is respectful to the natives and will make communication much easier. English is also standard in major tourist destinations.
Common Spanish Phrases
Learning a few Spanish phrases can be helpful when traveling to Mexico and engaging with the locals. Knowing Spanish is not a prerequisite for visiting Mexico, but having a good handle on the basics can enrich your experience. Reading out loud and saying some of these common Spanish phrases can be fun and a great way to start conversations with Mexican people.
Common Spanish phrases include:
- Hola o Buenas tardes (Hello or Good afternoon)
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- ¿Puedo ayudarle? (Can I help you?)
- Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)
- ¿Cómo se llama? (What is your name?)
- De donde eres(Where are you from?)
- Adios o hasta luego(Goodbye or see you later)
It’s also helpful to be aware of proper etiquette in Mexico, as it differs from what you might find in other countries. Respect for elders is very important, as well as a politeness when speaking with strangers or acquaintances. Greetings often involve handshakes, direct eye contact, and using someone’s name when possible. When introducing yourself and others, use Usted, a formal form of ‘you.’ Using full words such as por favor (‘please’) and gracias (‘thank you’) is also respectful.
Regional Dialects
The diversity of regional dialects throughout Mexico reflects the country’s varied geography, topography, and cultural heritage. Mexico is home to indigenous cultures that have spoken different languages since the Spanish conquest. These ancient cultures passed down their native tongues and dialects to younger generations, who added Spanish words to create an interesting mix of languages now spoken throughout the country.
In addition to Spanish, there are more than 60 additional indigenous languages recognized by the Mexican government, including Mayan, Nahuatl (Aztec language), Mixteco, Hucano, and Zapoteco. However, Mexico’s most widely spoken Indigenous language is still Nahuatl, with 1.5 million native speakers, followed by Maya, with almost a million native speakers. Other notable Indigenous languages include Otomi, Purepecha, and Tzeltal.
Despite these many recognized Indigenous languages throughout Mexico, there has historically been a tendency towards assimilation into local or national Spanish-speaking populations that have led to the erosion of these ancient dialects and languages in some locales, particularly in urban areas where assimilation is strongest. For example, it is estimated that within only two generations, an Indigenous language can become extinct due to this process of assimilation. As a result, programs such as “rescue linguistics” aim to help preserve endangered regional dialects in all areas of Mexico, which are threatened with extinction over time due to this continuous process of cultural mestizaje (mixing).
Dress Code
When visiting Mexico, it is essential to be aware of cultural customs and etiquette. It can be especially true when it comes to dressing appropriately. It is important to dress modestly in some regions of the country and avoid flashy or revealing clothing.
Certain cultural symbols and clothing items should be avoided. Let’s explore the dress code etiquette of Mexico:
Traditional Clothing
Traditional clothing in Mexico is still seen in regional costumes or special events such as weddings and religious festivals. These costumes vary from region to region and usually involve bright colors, intricate embroidery, and handmade accessories such as shawls, hats, and sandals.
For women, a typical regional costume might include a blouse and long skirt worn with shawls folded around their shoulders. Some elaborate styles also feature colorful embroidered aprons or belts worn at the waist. Women may also wear special jewelry to accessorize their look, such as earrings made of coins or bold necklaces with colorful beadwork.
Men wear bright cotton shirts with rugged denim trousers held up by suspenders. They might accessorize their look with a hat or scarf draped around their necks. Other male attire can include leather sandals, woven bags across their chests called “ema” bags, and leather holsters for guns/rifles, which are still common in some rural areas.
In urban settings, however, contemporary Mexican culture has evolved to adopt more modern fashion trends, including jeans and t-shirts or other casual attire much less formal than traditional attire. It is essential to dress appropriately when out in public, though – decency is still valued in Mexican culture, and visitors should be modestly dressed when visiting important places of worship or national monuments/buildings. It is also considered polite to avoid wearing beachwear away from swimming areas (unless you are directly heading there) so that your presence does not offend the community you visit.
Appropriate Attire
Mexico’s customs, traditions, nuances, and atmosphere differ significantly from other countries. Therefore, when visiting Mexico, it is important to dress respectfully that conform to their cultural norms. Strict adherence to gender role clothing is regarded as an appropriate observance of the culture and polite behavior.
Generally, women should opt for modest clothing such as skirts or dresses below the knee, blouses or shirts with sleeves that at least go to the elbow, and dress shoes. Men should wear pants or slacks, collared shirts, and enclosed-style footwear like loafers.
When attending a special event such as a wedding, religious ceremony, or formal gathering, more traditional attire should be worn by both genders, with men preferring suits, pressed trousers, and button-down shirts. At the same time, women may choose from gently worn conservative evening gowns of lace or satin.
Additionally, casual clothing is welcomed in Mexico with light, breezy fabrics for hot climates, such as cotton t-shirt/shorts combinations acceptable almost everywhere except in places of worship where modest attire is still required.
Religion
Religion plays a vital role in Mexico. Roman Catholicism is the most widely practiced religion in the country, with nearly 90% of the population identifying as Catholic. Other religious groups in Mexico include Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Mexican religious traditions and customs have been heavily influenced by the Catholic religion, which can be seen in how people dress, pray, celebrate, and even eat. Therefore, knowing about Mexico’s religious customs and etiquette is essential for anyone visiting the country.
Catholic Influence
Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country, and its people are very religious. Around 88% of the population identify as Roman Catholic, meaning the church’s teachings regularly shape attitudes and beliefs about family life and other social issues. For example, Mexican families tend to be large and have strong ties to their extended relatives; marriage outside of the faith is usually discouraged, and abortion is generally frowned upon.
The Mexican government operates on a secular basis, which means it does not support any particular religion or doctrine. Despite this, Catholicism still holds an important place in Mexican culture alongside other indigenous faiths, such as Maya rituals and Protestant denominations like Pentecostalism.
Public holidays revolve around Catholic festivals like Easter, All Souls Day (Día de los muertos), Christmas (La Navidad), Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe), and the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Virgen de Dolores). Additionally, many families opt for traditional blessings at dawn by priests on New Year’s Day. Together, these symbols remind Mexicans that their lives are centered on their faith.
Religious Holidays
The population of Mexico is predominantly Roman Catholic, although other Christian denominations exist, as well as followers of other religions. Eighteen major religious holidays throughout the Year are celebrated in Mexico.
The public holidays linked to Catholicism are:
- Semana Santa (Easter week).
- Natalicio de Benito Juárez (the birthday of President Juarez celebrated on March 21).
- Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (December 12).
- Navidad (Christmas).
- El día de los Reyes Magos (Three King’s Day on January 6).
For many Mexicans, these are the most important religious days of the Year and constitute an opportunity for families to get together and observe traditional activities.
Some citizens follow indigenous traditions related to their pre-Hispanic Mayan or Aztec beliefs or celebrate special intervals such as the solar new Year. There are also many Protestants, Mormons, and Jews in Mexico. In addition, smaller Hanafi Muslim immigrant communities exist in larger cities across the country.
Several cultural events that have their roots in native beliefs take place throughout Mexico throughout the Year, including El dia de muertos (the Day of the Dead), where candles and offerings to those who have passed away can be seen on November 2 every Year.
New Year’s Day is a secular holiday on January 1 when people engage in celebrations ranging from fireworks displays to more traditional cultural customs, such as eating grapes at midnight for prosperity during the coming Year.