Mexico is a beautiful and culturally rich country to visit, so if you have the chance, by all means go. As with every trip, there are certain things you should keep in mind. Here is a list of things that will help you avoiding cultural faux-pas.
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Don\u2019t drink water from the tap!<\/h2>\n

This is not to say that the hygiene is less in Mexico, but your body is used to different bacteria and so it is always safer to stick to bottled water. If you have an especially sensitive stomach, ask for your drinks without ice cubes and stay away from fresh and raw vegetables for your first days. Your body will get used to Mexican food and water in time, so the first days are the days you should pay particular attention.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t compare everything to your home country<\/h2>\n

Although the public restrooms in your home country might be cleaner or the public transport more comfortable, you don\u2019t always have to remind people of that. Accept Mexico as the place it is and enjoy the new experiences instead of expecting everything to be exactly like at home.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t flush toilet paper<\/h2>\n

The sewage system might not be as developed as it is at home, and every toilet will be equipped with a trashcan. It might feel weird initially, but it is common to throw your toilet paper in the bin and not down the toilet. Being responsible for a clogged toilet will be much more embarrassing than learning to throw toilet paper in the trash is difficult.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to take toilet paper with you<\/h2>\n

The quality of toilets will vary from place to place and depend on how rural the area is. But you\u2019ll have a much more pleasant trip if you remember to carry toilet paper with you. Even if you pay attention to what you eat and drink, you might want to be prepared for an unscheduled and extended visit to a public bathroom.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t bring marigolds as a gift<\/h2>\n

In Mexico, marigolds are associated with death. So if you are invited to dinner, that bouquet of marigolds might not illicit excitement in your host, but remind them of death instead. If your botanical knowledge is limited and you can\u2019t tell a marigold from any other flower, opt for a different gift instead.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate the chile peppers<\/h2>\n

Not all Mexican food is spicy, but Mexico did give the world the gift of the chile pepper. There are many varieties to choose from and a rule of thumb is that the smaller chiles are the spicier ones. You might be known among your friends as someone who can handle extremely spicy food, but you\u2019d be advised not to overdo it. The Scoville scale records levels of spiciness you never even imagined.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect everyone to be fluent in English<\/h2>\n

Mexicans that work in the tourist sector are likely to speak great English and a lot of other Mexicans do too, but the national language is still Spanish and that is how Mexicans communicate. Try to show a little bit of appreciation for their culture and learn some phrases or at the very least don\u2019t get exaggerated when someone doesn\u2019t speak English. Repeating your sentence slowly and more loudly won\u2019t help anyone understand you any better.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t marvel at how cheap everything is<\/h2>\n

For you, Mexico might offer incredible deals and seem dirt cheap. Don\u2019t make Mexicans feel like dirt because of that. You don\u2019t earn your money according to the Mexican economy, so what looks cheap to you might not be cheap to Mexicans at all.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t take the first price offered<\/h2>\n

Supermarkets will have fixed prices, but in markets, you may have to inquire about the price. Naturally, everyone will always be out to make the best deal for them, so the initial price offer will often be too high. Haggle and try to get the price lowered. You\u2019ll get the hang of it quickly.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t haggle excessively<\/h2>\n

Although haggling is perfectly acceptable, don\u2019t take it too far. You\u2019re on holiday so you can splurge a bit and it\u2019s not good for your karma if you try to reach a price at which the vendor doesn\u2019t make any profit at all. A dollar is just a dollar to you, but to them it might be worth a lot more.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be careless with your money<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t carry all your cash around with you and try to always have a few small bills or coins at hand. Not everyone will be able to give you change for a large banknote and you will avoid many uncomfortable situations if you are aware of this.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate crime<\/h2>\n

Mexico is far less dangerous than the coverage of the war on drugs might make you believe. But that doesn\u2019t mean that there aren\u2019t any pickpockets, scammers or worse. Be vigilant and exercise caution, just like you would anywhere new.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t underestimate the sun<\/h2>\n

Sure, the sun also shines where you are from, but there you lead a regular life and are unlikely to spend all day basking in the sun. Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water, a sunburn will ruin your holiday and be incredibly painful.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect the waiter to just bring your bill<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re done eating, you should ask the waiter to bring you the bill. They won\u2019t just deliver it to your table when they think you are done. It is customary to tip, so don\u2019t forget to add around 15 percent to your bill.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t offer to split the bill<\/h2>\n

Splitting the bill is not common in Mexico, so if you\u2019re inviting someone to dine with you, you should pick up the bill. Of course, they might invite you, too. Suggesting to split the bill can lead to an awkward moment with your new friends and the waiter might not know what to do either.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t wear revealing clothes in places of worship<\/h2>\n

You might want to visit a church while you\u2019re in Mexico. If you do, be sure not to wear a shoulder-less outfit or short pants or skirts. If you\u2019re not sure about your plans for the day, just pack a cardigan in case you pass by a particularly beautiful church you\u2019d like to explore.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect every Mexican to want to leave the country<\/h2>\n

This goes especially for U.S. Americans, who are used to Mexican immigration to the United States. Don\u2019t just assume that every Mexican has a desire to move. Mexicans love their home country just like everyone else, so it would be rude to think they are all just looking for a way out.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t do drugs<\/h2>\n

Mexico might be a large exporter of drugs, but that doesn\u2019t mean that drug use is legal or even widespread. Don\u2019t risk being jailed for drug-related offences, as they are federal crimes. It\u2019s unlikely that you are traveling with your kick-ass lawyer, so don\u2019t add a stint in a Mexican prison to your CV.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t just stick to what you are used to<\/h2>\n

Chances are that you are more used to Tex-Mex food and margaritas than to actual Mexican cuisine. Well, you can have those things at home. Mexico has so much great food (and tequila!) to offer, gorge yourself on that instead.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to enjoy your stay in Mexico<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t be so busy trying to avoid mistakes or fearing \u2018Montezuma\u2019s revenge\u2019 or street crime. Mexico is a fascinating country and you will be able to make so many wonderful memories. So enjoy your travel and take in as much as you can.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mexico is a beautiful and culturally rich country to visit, so if you have the chance, by all means go. As with every trip, there are certain things you should keep in mind. Here is a list of things that will help you avoiding cultural faux-pas. Don\u2019t drink water from the tap! This is not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":6748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,36,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-global","category-health","category-mustreads"],"yoast_head":"\n