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Not written by me but thank you to the unknown author of this post. I would add one other positive note - old people here are not marginalized, stigmatized, or treated like idjits. They are honored and revered, and considered a vibrant and active part of society.
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Everyone says hello/good morning good afternoon/ have a nice day. If you are walking down the street, stopped at a light - passing a storefront ~~ if you make eye contact with someone, (adult, teen or child) you are greeted with a smile and a good morning/afternoon/evening. In a restaurant, if a person or persons, passes your table, they will say “Buen Provecho” (enjoy your meal).
Men are extremely affectionate and very playful with their children - carting them around - making them laugh. You rarely hear a child crying in a grocery store or public place - but if they do, it’s quite common for dads to start to play with them. Kissing them -Tickling, joking - whatever necessary to take the little one from tears to giggles. Young boys and teen boys are the same with their siblings. Affectionate and playful. Women do this also but it seems to be the unspoken role of dad, brother, uncle or grandpa.
The women LOVE to get dressed to the nines! High heels, perfect makeup hair done, nails polished and a nice dress. By the way, the men clean up pretty nicely too.
People sing - or whistle. Whenever they feel like it. I’ve heard the guys on the trash truck singing heartfelt love songs while picking up trash. The man who painted our neighbors house sang all day, every day - at the top of his lungs. What he lacked in talent he made up for in volume.
Party’s are a BIG DEAL! And you’re invited. Please come - they want you to come. The music is loud and the food is delicious. Please come ~ bring your family. (Oh - and dress up!)
Children play outside - everywhere- all the time ~ without their parents hovering over them. The children here are quite different from their US counterparts. They aren’t afraid of strangers. They smile, say hello and will talk to you - all without the shyness and fear we have instilled in our children. And their parents aren’t afraid of you either. If you engage in a chat with a young boy or girl, their parents will simply look on and smile.
Old people are everywhere and their families dote on them. Holding their hands, helping them navigate a bump in the road - chatting on front stoops...
I haven’t seen many homeless people (if any at all)… there are very few homeless people in Mexico. If there are mental, physical or financial issues - Their families, or extended families, take care of them.
They can fix anything. And if they can’t - they know someone who can. It’s not a throwaway society. There’s a use for everything and no need to buy a new one - let’s just make the old one like new again.
The colors ~ if you have any art in your soul, you might be descended from a Latin Country. Every house is a different color. Sometimes several colors ~ bright banners are strung across streets for any and all occasions. Cloths are stitched with bright colored flowers, trims and patterns. Pottery, wall hangings and dishware are vibrant in color and texture. Textiles are like fabric rainbows. There are murals on walls and you’ll even see light posts painted with brights colors and images. And flowers abound! They grow over walls, hang in baskets and pots and sit on tables ~ There is a flower vendor within a few steps of anywhere you are.
They are kind about the fact that you are mangling their language and will nicely correct you when you call a chicken a potato or vise versa. They will even help you to enunciate the more difficult words and they seem to appreciate your effort. Smiling and encouraging you to help you get it right.
They are patient. If there’s a long line, anywhere, no worries ~ we’ll just hang out and chat. No one gets cranky or impatient. They’ll (more often than not) stop so you can make a left turn or exit a driveway.
And they are tolerant. No one seems particularly bothered by what anyone else is doing. But most of all ~ by and large ~ they are kind.
NOT ONE TIME ~ have I been made to feel unwelcome. I have been treated with acceptance, courtesy and kindness. I’m a foreigner here but have been made to feel at home ~ simply by their kindness.
Viva México!
Stay safe and healthy!!
Yashi Kochi!!
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