The fun differences between Mexico and Canada!

Lawrie and his brother Freddy Medina! 

Mexico, as a nation, is politically incorrect. Here, greetings between acquaintances, friends, family members, or co-workers are a hug and an affectionate kiss on the cheek. 

It’s the culturally acceptable greeting.

Between men, the greeting is usually a hand-slap fist-bump and then an arm around the shoulder guy-hug. Handshakes are rare and usually reserved for formal, first-time introductions.

 Birthday party

Many of our Mexican male friends have no idea what to do when a foreign woman shoves her hand out for a handshake, instead of leaning in for a kiss. I experienced many limp, finger-tip shakes before I realized I was, in their view, behaving oddly. 

Now I just hug and smooch ‘em! 

Lawrie has always loved hugging, but in Canada, he was afraid that he would be accused of sexual harassment, so he seldom indulged in affectionate greetings. Here in Mexico, everyone loves to hug, which makes Lawrie a happy man.

Another day, another birthday party!

To our Mexican friends, family is everything. Life revolves around living with or close to your family. If you don’t have children, parents, siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents underfoot, you are to be pitied because you are alone. 

The average family home is noisy with animated conversations, loud music, and unrestrained laughter.

Faith defines life in Mexico. In the G-8 countries, the USA, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, and Italy, your job and your income define you. Here, what you do for a living is not important.

Quinceaños, complete with entertainers.

Education is valuable, but human dignity counts for more. Manners and respect for others are important as a means of peacefully co-existing in a boisterous and frequently crowded household. 

Education focuses on culture, art, tradition, and history. Learning to play an instrument, or to sing and dance, is far more important than an expensive degree that enables you to serve coffee at Starbucks.

You are responsible for yourself. No high-priced lawyers are suggesting a huge lawsuit for a personal injury if you trip on an uneven sidewalk, scald yourself drinking hot coffee, touch a live electrical wire, or fall into an unfenced swimming pool.

Dress well, eat well.

Canadians and Americans tend to lean more towards volunteering their help and financial assistance to local charities, with an expectation that local celebrities contribute their fair share.

In Mexico, it is not as prevalent; people rely on close-knit families to help out in a financial or medical crisis.

Appearances matter, but people are not obsessed with being young, thin, and beautiful. Being well-dressed and eating good food are far more important.

Lupita's Quinceaños.

And most importantly, family events such as engagements, weddings, a child’s first birthday, baptisms, a young woman’s fifteenth birthday, known as quinceaños, birthdays for any family member, and wedding anniversaries are celebrated in grand style. 

The fiesta may last all night and includes amazing food, drinks, decorations, beautiful cakes, music, dancing, and possibly fireworks.

Mexico is a very special place, and we love our life.

Hasta Luego

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, & Max

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