Mexicans are a welcoming bunch, but there are some things you should avoid saying as a foreign guest. As in any country, it is important to be aware of cultural etiquette and taboo topics when vacationing in Mexico. Here is a list of things you should never say to a Mexican.
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This is my first time in Central/South America
![Where do you want to go?](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/stone-hood-nhnft0nmcdg-unsplash.webp)
Knowledge of geography is very useful in Mexico, a country that many foreigners consider to be located in Central America, or even South America. Mexico is actually part of North America, which is why it is included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and the United States.
![The flag of Mexico](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/alexander-schimmeck-_3acbgazani-unsplash.webp)
There are 289 languages spoken in Mexico, according to Ethnologist, a publication that provides a linguistic profile of the world. However, none of these languages are called Mexican. The word “Mexican” refers to nationality and not to any language. Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the country, with over 99% of speakers.
How much money do you make?
![Mexican money](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sandra-gabriel-cwk6ei6jo0m-unsplash.webp)
When it comes to money, Mexicans are private, so asking questions about their personal finances is a taboo subject. While this information can be shared among close friends, asking strangers what their salary is is a definite no-no.
Chileango
You may hear this word used to describe a resident of Mexico City, but avoid using it yourself. The word has derogatory connotations and you risk losing friends in the capital if you start using it casually.
I don’t like Mexican food
![A plate of mixed tacos served with an all-natural flavor Jarritos Mexican Pineapple Soda.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/jarritos-mexican-soda-ba3vwduyduy-unsplash.webp)
Mexicans are proud of their culinary culture and they are not the only ones who recognize that their food is delicious and appetizing. UNESCO even added Mexican cuisine to its cultural heritage list in 2010. Avoid generalizing about Mexican cuisine, which is very diverse, with each region using different ingredients and techniques. There’s a lot more to Mexican food than Taco Bell, so the narrow notions of melted cheese and burritos are best left at home.
‘Estupido’ (stupid)
I’m sure you can think of many more offensive words in English than stupid words. But the Spanish equivalent, “estupido,” is much more powerful and should not be used lightly. Never call someone else “estupido” and avoid using it in any context, even when referring to yourself and those silly little mistakes we all make from time to time.
‘Coger’ (to take)
![Taxi in Granada, Mexico City, Mexico](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/jose-pablo-dominguez-an6gg2diwva-unsplash.webp)
This verb, which means “to take”, is used all the time in Spain, especially in the context of “take the bus” or “take the metro”. In Mexico and throughout Latin America, the word is sure to get a laugh, as “coger” is a synonym for a certain four-letter word in English. Never suggest to anyone coger a taxi.
Blasphemous insults
Those funny swear words you heard in Barcelona aren’t going to impress people in Mexico City. Some blasphemous expressions common and casually used in Spain would be considered shocking and offensive by most people in Mexico, which remains a deeply religious society. Although Mexico has its own impressive pantheon of swear words, God, heaven and the Virgin Mary are treated with respect.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
![Angel of Independence, Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City, Mexico](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/carlos-ramirez-fbokxj9gjk8-unsplash.webp)
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, the day has become a celebration of Mexican-American culture, but it doesn’t matter. such importance in Mexico, where the battle is only marked by rare military parades. Instead, Independence Day September 16 is the day dedicated to celebrating all things Mexican.
‘Tú’ to an older stranger
The formal “usted”, the polite version of you, is still used in Mexico for conversations with a boss, an older stranger, or anyone else to whom you would like to show respect, rather than suggesting familiarity. Mexican society is status sensitive and the use of “usted” is more common than in Spain. Typically, “tú,” the informal form of you, is reserved for friends, children, and family.
But to complicate matters, you sometimes have to be careful using “usted” when addressing people under 50 – some people may take this as a comment about age.
Hurry up!
![What time is it?](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/misakyanovich-lmbgfdknhgo-unsplash.webp)
Patience is a virtue, especially in Mexico. Don’t take it personally if people are late for their appointments or if guests arrive two to three hours after the party starts. There are many reasons for the delay: a delayed bus or heavy traffic – but you will quickly realize that the main reason is cultural. In Mexico, hours are flexible and trying to impose foreign punctuality standards is a sure path to frustration.
![landscape with balloons floating in the air](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/trips_turkey_-cappadocia_stocksy_txp81a0648dwea300_medium_2665653-1024x682.webp)
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