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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Mexicans aren't all that great.
They are just humans!
I have noticed how one of the things that stands out the most to many foreign travelers here are how helpful and friendly the locals are.
I have also noticed the same about the people in Borneo, Malaysia, and the Phillipines. They go out of their way to help someone in trouble or could
use some help with something like changing a tire.
All of these people insist you share something of theirs with them (coffee, beer, food, anything) if they have something and are the most gracious
hosts.
Is it possible that we as americans have forgotten what it is like to be human ? Why is it so unique for us to see people go out of their way to
help others. No matter who they are.
Are we so caught up in $$, keeping up with the Joneses, having lot's of stuff, that we have forgotten what it's like to be human?
Well, it's really pretty easy if anyone is interested. Since tourist season is about to start down here, I thought I would mention some differences
between here and there.
Humans will not steal from you. And as long as you don't hang out in the touristy areas, you will meet humans.
Humans don't put up with dishonest people. And they deal with it accordingly. It's not a matter of attorneys and ridiculous justice systems. If you
are dishonest, jealous, or a big mouthed lazy jerk, you are going to get it. By your friends, neighbors and family. This is good and it works.
Rather than spending your vacations paranoid about whatever and acting like it, try to remember that these people were brought up with their
families learning about being human, rather than by babysitters or daycare and not learning to be human.
I was talking with a friends Mexican wife the other day and she was kind of flabbergasted that we as americans only talk to our children once or
twice a month after the kids have left home.
She said she couldn't stand the thought of not talking to her children every day at least by phone. "We are included in each others lives every day"
she said. "We are a family".
I think that pretty much says it all ! And I think that many of us could certainly use some training in being human, before it's too late!!
 
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Mexicans / USA folks----different????
JR----you make a very strong implication that us folks north of the border are somehow different than the folks south of the border. That has never
been my experience----there are great, and not so great, people in both countries, or at least that is my experience. I have often wondered why there
is generic "people bashing" of the citizens of both countries-----why don't folks realize that both countries, and their citizens, have good points
and bad points, and some are good and others are bad----that is just the way it is. We are culturally different, and I think that is just grand!!!
Most people are just fine, in my opinion, but I am always watchful for the jerks, in both countries. To me that is just common sense. I get so
tired of people bashing people, and will never understand it. Barry A.
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jrbaja
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Growing up in s.cal
probably jaded my opinion. But, rather than people bashing, which I am quite
capable of, that was meant as a point to ponder.
There is a big difference between the two countries although, the difference is getting smaller and smaller with all the new "enclaves" and demands
made by the people in them.
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Enclaves-----what a disaster
I grew up in Coronado (Navy brat)----was there for 30 years-----granted, Coronado is not typical, but it is S. CA. Been gone for last 35 years except
for a 13 year stint in El Centro, prior to 18 years ago. I loved both places.
I agree with you completely about the "enclaves"---folks whining and demanding what they presumably ran away from----i.e. they move to another country
(or place) and then try to make it over into what they left behind------insanity, or at the least against all common sense!!!!!
I appreciate your postings as they DO make us think----in addition, I applaud all the good that you do in Mexico, and your obvious passion (sp?).
Barry A.
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jrbaja
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Thanks Barry
Thinking is all I ask and the reason I post my babble.
The pictures and stories are for all to enjoy. No thinking required.
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jrbaja
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You crack me up Amigo !!
Definitely a pleasure meeting that one, and you are one lucky guy !! Keep taxiing and call your son !! hahahahahahaha
We have a lot to learn, don't we ?
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
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I think its a city-small town thing, theres plenty of nasty ugly evil Mexicans in the cities ( and some in small towns), and in the small towns like
almost everywhere in the world, folks tend to be kinder, gentler, and more willing to help.
If any of you have any doubts about Mexicans being as nasty as hell, i can show you around Tijuana if you like
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jrbaja
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No fair Jesse
That's like comparing so. cal to the rest of the world.
But that reminds me, when my car stalled coming into Tijuana in a pond in the road, two guys came and pushed me out, checked it out, dryed the
distributor, rubber banded a plastic bag over it and refused any payment whatsoever.
They obviously weren't rich guys either!
[Edited on 10/8/2004 by jrbaja]
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JESSE
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jrbaja
That's like comparing so. cal to the rest of the world.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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JR, what kind of terrible thing happened to you here in Southern California??? I live here and I am a 'human'... and I am not alone.
Like Jesse and others said, when you are in a denser populated area (ie. city) there is a greater number of "un-humans".
Bad and good are everywhere and in about the same per centage... Out in the boonies, Baja or the American west, there are less bad people... because
there are less total people.
However, your comments about the parent-child relationship is right on... For many Norte Americano families, it is that way... and it is so sad! But
not 100% true... I do very much admire the Mexican custom of close families (and any American families that are close).
[Edited on 10-8-2004 by David K]
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rogerj1
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More city vs. rural
My observation in my own little neck of the woods is that the big difference is between city dwellers and rural or small town folk. I moved from
Seattle to the small town of Gig Harbor 10 years ago and am shocked by how less civil people are when I return to Seattle. And Seattle is supposed to
be one of the more polite cities in the country. One of the diffferences I've noticeded is in eye contact. People in the city will go out of their way
to avoid eye contact. People in small towns seek it out. Driving manners deteriorate the more lanes on the road. My theory is that in a small town you
have to be accountable for your actions throughout the day. The person you cutoff in traffic may be very well be someone you know. Anyway, that's my 2
cents.
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jrbaja
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JR, what kind of terrible thing happened to you here in Southern California???
It's not so much that David but having lived many other places as well, putting it politely, I just prefer those other places.
For many reasons!
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Dave
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jrbaja
There is a big difference between the two countries |
I don't buy your argument.
What things are exclusively different about our two countries/peoples? Name one thing, cultural or otherwise, that exists only in Mexico, or the U.S.
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
...Name one thing, cultural or otherwise, that exists only in Mexico, or the U.S. |
American Football? 
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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Valueing family more than money!
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Dave
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"Valueing family more than money!"
That ONLY Mexicans value family over money or that NO Mexicans value money over family is a myth.
Millions of families in the U.S. and elsewhere on this planet are loving and caring. Mexicans do not have a monopoly on understanding the true worth
of family and there are plenty of Mexicans, just like Americans, who could care less.
Care to try again?
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jrbaja
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Ok Dave,
I am generalizing but,
you are used to the people that live up here. And I know you are so busy that you don't have time to mingle much in places besides Rosarito.
But, the places that I go and the majority of people in the cities down south that haven't been affected by foreign influence, tourism, and greed
(wherever that may come from!) are the most caring and family/friends oriented people I have ever seen.
They trust each other and outsiders as well as long as respect is shown. People that don't fit in find out right away and are dealt with rather
than a bunch of gossip and whining as in certain communities springing up down here.
To this day this is true. It used to be the same in the other places I mentioned as well but that may have changed due to certain feelings shared by
many around the world.
It also used to be true in most of the rural areas in the u.s. as well, but even that seems to have changed.
So I hope you get what I am trying to say. There are big differences between the cultures. And I believe it stems from values.
And these guys values and priorities are something quite different than the majority of their northern neighbors.
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Herb
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 11-6-2003
Location: Torrance, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
"Valueing family more than money!"
That ONLY Mexicans value family over money or that NO Mexicans value money over family is a myth.?
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Your myth, as stated, was never stated by anyone but you. I didn't read where anyone said all Americans are evil and all Mexicans are good. However,
if you do not think there are cutltural norms for acceptable societal behavior that differ distinctly between the US and Mexico, then you really don't
get out much.
Maybe they are just a bunch of dope smoking, skinny-dipping hippies as Skeet would suggest, but every academic sociological study that has ever been
done in recent years has found a much stronger sense of family in Mexican society (as a whole) than in the US. Of course, the world is becoming a
smaller place and, sadly, those differences do appear to be eroding rapidly.
When I lived in Mexico City 20 years ago there were just as many thieves and ways for them to seperate you from your money as in any big US city.
However, there was a distinct difference in the value of human life and, as a result, a much lower incidence of violent crime. When it came to
violence, the streets of the DF were much safer than the streets of San Diego (which had one of the lowest crime rates of any US city at the time).
Sadly, even that has changed there and the DF is now probably one of the most dangerous cities in the world to live in (If I can believe what I see
and hear on Mexican news stations)
It may not be scientific, but...I do know that I spend a lot of time in rural areas of both countries and there is a huge difference in the values,
friendliness and disposition of the "average" person that I encounter and the way that I am treated. Something is different..
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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Damn HoseA
I miss out on all the fun. Was that the neighbor I briefly met ? And it sounds as if you took the Mexican (human ) approach to dealing with this
clown. I hope !
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64848
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jrbaja
I miss out on all the fun. Was that the neighbor I briefly met ? And it sounds as if you took the Mexican (human ) approach to dealing with this
clown. I hope ! |
This "clown" was a Mexican (born and raised) per Hose A: "A man that just moved next door to me last month was born in Sonora. He lived there for 24
years."
Good and Bad are on BOTH sides of the border and of both nationalities...
You are really irritating a lot of Mexican and American Nomads with you narrow views JR.
I know you are a nice guy (in person), but your campaign to paint all Norte Americanos as bad and all Mexicanos as good is really devisive.
Don't you think most Nomads here are 'humans'? What would you like to come out of all this? What is your solution to make things better?
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