VIVA

MEXICO!
BY LULA AND CECY
OLMECAS SPANISH
COLONY
Mexican culture goes
back to the Olmecas,
Mayas and Aztecas
Indians.
These empires where
destroyed by the
Spanish, by the year
1521, and as
consequence we
became a Spanish
colony.
 INDEPENDENCE
REVOLUTION

1810: Mexican
1864 Archduke
Independence
Maximilian of
Austria became
emperor of Mexico
and ruled for 3
years.

1823 Mexican 1910-1920:

Republic was Mexican Revolution
declared.
 MEXICO 1953 -1994
1953: Mexican women granted
right to vote in all elections.
1968: Tlatelolco student murder.
1985: 8.1(Ritcher Scale)
earthquake in Mexico City.
1994: NAFTA (North American
Free Trade Agreement) was
signed. (TLCAN).
STATISTICS
Population:
108,700,891
Territory:
1964,375 Km.
Type of
Government:
Federal
Democratic with
31 states and a
federal district.
 Currency: Peso (1 = $16 pesos)

Religion: predominantly
90% are Roman Catholics

Language: the official

language is Spanish, but
more than a hundred
Indian languages are
spoken
 VALUES & NAMES
Family is very To show
important and respect use
comes before Don and Doa
everything else.
Another form
Mexicans place
great value on to address in
personal Mexico is
relations and Seor, Seora
relationships. and Seorita.
Most Mexican Mexicans have
men have a two family
macho attitude. names.
 CULTURAL ORIENTATION
One must know the person before
doing business with him/her, the
only way to know a person in
Mexico is to know the family.
It is extremely important to
cultivate personal relations with
the right people in the right places.
There are extreme contrast
between rich and poor, but Mexico
has the largest upper middle class
in all Latino American countries.
 BUSINESS PRACTICE
Punctuality is expected from
foreigners, but usually meeting or
appointments would not start until
30 minutes after.
It is always better to confirm
assistance one week prior to the
meeting.
Business cards are usually
exchange after initial introductions.
Make sure you know who has the
power to make decisions.
 PROTOCOL
Men will shake hands in greeting.
Women will often pat each other on
the right forehand or shoulder.
If they are close they may hug or kiss
each other on the cheek.
Be prepared for a hug on the second
or third meeting.
At a party, Mexicans give a slight nod
to everyone as they enter the room.
Conversations take place at a much
closer physical distance. Pulling away
from your counterpart may be
regarded as unfriendly.
 DOS
Be careful when using the words
America or American
Try to speak at least a little bit of
Spanish.
Show acknowledge and
appreciation of Mexican culture.
Personal relationships are very
important and most be established
before negotiations.
Personalized everything.
Morning appointments are best.
Always greet people otherwise
they may be offended.
 If you are a guy, always open doors to
women and push the chair when
seating on a table.
Give tip when being at a restaurant
(about 15%), to the bellboy, taxi, etc.
Look into the others eyes when talking
to them.
Always respect the elderly.
Take in consideration that traffic yams
are common in big Mexican cities, so
take your time or be prepared for
delays.
When paying for something, always
place the money in the receivers hand.
 DONTS
Do not call Mexican by their first
name until invited to do so.
Never show up on time for a
social engagement.
Do not neglect the little things.
(like no saying goodbye)
Never say anything negative
about Indians or their cultures.
Avoid asking direct questions or
expressing strong disagreement.
Never drink water from the
faucet unless there is a filter.
 By any chance confuse Spanish
culture with Mexican (they are two
different cultures)
Do not ask if they speak Mexican, it
is Spanish.
Do not confuse Mexican taco with
the hard shell taco (texmex).
Never eat in the street you might
get sick.
Do not stand with the hands on your
hips or in your pockets because it
means anger and is consider rude.
 USEFUL WORDS
Hola = Hello Por favor = Please
Gracias = Thank you Denada = Your
Me llamo . = My welcome
name is
Cuanto cuesta? =
Cual es su nombre? How much is it?
= Whats your
name? Saludos cordiales =
Cmo esta usted? = Best regards
How are you? Buenas noches =
Lo siento = Im sorry Good night
Perdneme = Excuse Buenos dias = Good
me Morning
Si = yes Que onda = Whats u
No = no
Adios = Good bye Padre = Great
Salud = Cheers Orale = Ok or Wow
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Morrison, Terri (2006). Kiss, Bow, or
Shake Hands. Massachusets: Adams
Media.
Murray Bosrock, Mary (1995). Put Your
Best Foot Forward. United States of
America: International Education Systems.
Mexican People