Crash Course in Not Being That Guy Abroad (Mexico Edition)

Please don't call me gringo

Alright, listen up, amigos. Mexicans are some of the kindest, most polite people you’ll ever meet, but they’re not going to tell you when you’re being a clueless foreigner. That’s where I come in. I’ve spent the past three years stumbling my way through Mexico, making mistakes so you don’t have to. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way—wrapped in a layer of Gonzo wisdom.

Stop Calling Yourself “American”

Yeah, I said it. “American.” It rolls off the tongue so casually, doesn’t it? Except, here’s the deal: the term doesn’t just belong to folks from the United States. The Americas are massive—two whole continents of diverse countries, from Mexico to Argentina to Canada. By waltzing in and claiming “American” as your exclusive identity, you’re essentially erasing the rest of the hemisphere.

In Spanish, “americano” refers to anyone from the Americas. If you’re trying to be specific about being from the U.S., the proper term is estadounidense. Not exactly a word that trips off the tongue, I know. It took me weeks to stop butchering it. Break it down: estado (state), unido (united), and -ense (like “ish” in English). Boom, you’re now a geographically respectful human being. You’re welcome.

Ease Up on the Bluntness

Mexicans are polite—charmingly so. They’re the masters of subtlety and tact, while we from the U.S. are like bulls in china shops with our directness. Asking a question without so much as a “hello”? Faux pas. Criticizing food to someone’s face? Double faux pas.

Case in point: A friend was explaining the cherished local tradition in that part of Mexico of eating pozole on Thursdays. I, in all my gringo glory, blurted out, “I don’t like hominy.” Cue awkward silence. Was that little opinion necessary? No. Did it make me sound like an ungrateful oaf? Absolutely.

When in doubt, layer on the niceties. Start with “Buenos días” or “Buenas tardes,” and toss in some polite language before diving into your point. If you don’t like something, try a soft “Lo pensaré” (“I’ll think about it”) instead of a blunt “Nope.” Trust me, it’ll save you from a few awkward moments.

Speak the Language, Or At Least Try

Look, I get it. English is the lingua franca of the world, blah blah blah. But expecting everyone in Mexico to cater to you in English? That’s some next-level entitlement. Spanish is the language here, and Mexicans are rightly proud of it. The least you can do is make an effort.

I’ve been working on my Spanish, and while I’ve made every mistake in the book, locals have been nothing but kind. Even a basic hola or buenos días goes a long way. It’s not about fluency; it’s about respect. And if you butcher a word or two, they’ll appreciate the effort more than you think.

Pro tip: Don’t get offended if people in touristy areas default to English with you. They’re just trying to make your life easier. But if you’re like me and want to immerse yourself in the culture, start conversations in Spanish. It’s amazing how far a little linguistic humility can take you.

Mexico Isn’t Here to Change for You

Ah, the eternal irony of tourists who visit another country and then complain it’s not like their own. Noise too loud? Fireworks at odd hours? Welcome to Mexico, where celebrations are part of the lifeblood. Weddings, religious festivals, holidays—they all come with music, firecrackers, and the kind of joyous chaos that might rattle an unprepared foreigner.

At my place in a rural village, there’s always something happening. Chickens crowing, mariachi bands playing, dogs barking—it’s a symphony of life. And honestly? It’s beautiful. If you’re thinking of coming to Mexico for a serene, silent retreat, adjust your expectations—or maybe just pack some earplugs.

Imagine this: A group of foreigners arrives in the U.S. for the Fourth of July, then complains about the fireworks. They petition the city council to ban them for the sake of “peace.” You’d laugh them out of the room, right? Now flip the script—that’s how Mexicans feel when outsiders gripe about their traditions. Don’t be that person.

Forget the Stereotypes

If your mental image of Mexico is all tequila, tacos, and dusty adobe villages, you need to get out more. This country is staggeringly diverse—in its people, its landscapes, its cuisine, and its culture.

Mexican food isn’t just tacos and burritos (which, by the way, are more Tex-Mex than traditional Mexican). It’s mole, tamales, cochinita pibil, and chiles en nogada. And while media often portrays Mexicans as a monolithic group with dark skin and sombreros, the reality is a kaleidoscope of indigenous, Afro-Mexican, European, and Asian influences. Cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara are cosmopolitan hubs, blending history with modernity.

Let go of the clichés and open your eyes to the real Mexico—it’s so much richer than the stereotypes.

Stop Calling It “Cheap”

This one grinds my gears. Sure, the cost of living in Mexico is lower than in the U.S., but walking around proclaiming “Mexico is so cheap!” isn’t just tone-deaf—it’s insulting. Many Mexicans work hard for much less than what you might earn back home, and calling their country “cheap” can come off as dismissive of their challenges.

Worse, this kind of attitude fuels gentrification in cities like San Miguel, Puerto Vallarta, and Oaxaca. Foreigners flock in, snap up properties, and drive up rents, displacing locals. If you’re planning to stay for a while, do your part: pay fair prices, support local businesses, and avoid exploiting Airbnb at the expense of long-term residents.

Remember, it’s not about how cheap something is—it’s about the value and the pride behind it. Respect that, and you’ll get much more out of your experience.

Final Thoughts

Cultural faux pas are part of the learning curve when you travel, but the trick is to learn from them and adapt. Mexico is an incredible place, full of warmth, color, and history, but it’s not here to mold itself around you. Be the kind of traveler—or expat—that enriches the culture, not one that disrupts it.

As I sit here at the end of summer in Guanajuato, enjoying the golden sun and the quiet hum of village life, I can’t help but feel grateful. Several years ago, my life was on a completely different trajectory. Now, I’m here, immersed in this vibrant country, learning its rhythms and traditions. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

So take these lessons, pack your bags, come visit and get ready for an adventure. Just remember to tread lightly, speak kindly, and leave your assumptions at the border. Mexico will thank you for it—and so will I.