Cultural awareness for Mexico

Cultural Awareness of Mexico

Mexico is the United States' neighbor to its south. However, cultural misunderstandings have existed between the two nations almost since their beginnings as independent nations. The United States' acquisition of Texas and other formerly Mexican territories in the 19th century, coupled with the profound economic disparities in wealth between the nations are two examples of historical conflicts that have existed between Mexico and the U.S. Greater cultural awareness is required of Mexico to fully appreciate the rich heritage of this nation, and to facilitate greater cross-cultural dialogue between the United States and Mexico. In the wake of contemporary conflicts regarding immigration, free trade, and democratic and social reforms within Mexico, Mexican culture must be judged upon its own terms. Although the world is becoming increasingly interconnected on a global level, this has not erased profoundly different understandings of the function of the family, time, and the meaning of life that exist between Mexico's high-context culture and the United States' low-context culture.

Mexico is often characterized as an extremely 'high-context' culture in almost all rankings of cultural orientations. In a high-context society, familial and other close relationships are exceedingly important. How something is said -- and to whom -- is just as important as what is said. "High-context cultures are characterized by extensive information networks among family, friends, associates, and even clients. Their relationships are close and personal…Nothing that happens to them can be described as an isolated event; everything is connected to meaningful context" (O'Hara-Devereaux & Johansen 1994). For example, when doing business in Mexico, it is generally expected that some amount of small talk is required, versus a low-context culture in which 'getting down to business' immediately would be demanded, as is often the case in the United States.

However, Mexican society is also extremely formal, in comparison to the U.S., and while social pleasantries are expected, these should not be overly intimate in nature. Mexican society tends to be extremely conscious of class and formal titles, in contrast to the less formal social networks that characterize the United States. Calling someone by their first name at a Mexican business meeting, for example, would be frowned upon and regarded as extremely rude. "Mexico has extremely polite and courteous mannerisms built-in to its social norms. Politeness, patience and tolerance in situations, however frustrating they may appear, is always appreciated and, indeed, ultimately rewarded in Mexico ("Mexican social etiquette," Mexperience, 2011). Formal dress in business settings is always demanded. Even when going out, casually, except in very specific instances (such as the beach), dressing relatively formally (not in jeans and sneakers) is demanded ("Mexican social etiquette," Mexperience, 2011).

Having tight social networks can be very valuable in a society. For example, caring for the elderly at home and showing them respect is an important part of Mexican life. Even amongst middle-class families, having extended family networks under the same roof is not uncommon. But there is also a negative side to having such a strong emphasis on the family. Nepotism is also more common in Mexican businesses than in the U.S. "Promotions are based on somewhat subjective criteria linked to one's network of relationships" (O'Hara-Devereaux & Johansen 1994). Because of the importance of familial and personal ties in Mexico, corruption is also often more rife in government and in business. In high-context societies, it is not what you know that is as important as who you know, which can foster social stasis. High-context societies, as is true of Mexico, often tend to be more change-resistant and disparities between 'haves' and 'have-nots' can be extremely large.

While the idea of Mexico as manana or 'tomorrow land' is a stereotype with a long and negative history, it is noteworthy that many high-context societies are noted for having an open-ended approach to time constraints. "Americans tend to worship time and manage it as though it were a tangible and scarce resource," while Latin American cultures tend to have a more flexible and imprecise view of time (O'Hara-Devereaux & Johansen 1994). In fact, the Anglo worship of time is so notorious in Mexico that when an exact meeting time is called for, people will say that the arrangement must take place hora Inglesa, or "literally translated" as English time ("Mexican social etiquette," Mexperience, 2011). Parties and social gatherings in Mexico nearly always begin extremely late. Even business meetings can begin twenty minutes later or more and end late, particularly between close associates. In fact, unless specified otherwise, it can be considered quite rude to come 'on time.'

Another common characterization of cultures is in terms of their 'orientation' -- whether they are present, future, or past-oriented. Mexican culture is often characterized as far more past-oriented than Anglo cultures. "Part of the difference may be related to cultural concepts of control over the environment, which may in turn be related to religious tradition. Mexico, for instance, is usually viewed as a fatalistic culture where the past is in control of the present and future. Americans, by contrast, have a greater sense of control over present and future events" (O'Hara-Devereaux & Johansen 1994). A lack of popular involvement in the government and sense of autonomy over bureaucratic government decisions can foster a sense of powerlessness, which may be reinforced by the strong, relatively homogeneous Catholic tradition of the nation, interwoven with folk customs.

Of course, this characterization should not be regarded as absolute, as there have been many popular uprisings within Mexico, and calls for greater social justice. The fact that so many Mexicans flee to seek work elsewhere because of a lack of opportunity in what remains a socially stratified country also shows impulses towards a more future-oriented worldview. Mexican farmers and other groups negatively impacted by NAFTA's free trade provisions between their nation and the United States have articulated a strong anti-globalization voice within the nation, demanding that the government continue to subsidize and protect historic, ancestral varieties of Mexican corn and bean from competition with the U.S. ("Farmers protest," CBC, 2008).

Still, despite evidence of a more radical worldview than the traditional 'fatalist' characterization might suggest it cannot be denied that Catholicism has played a strong role in Latin American culture since the days of the early missionaries, laced with a heavy dose of syncretism or blending with local cultures. 80% of its population is Roman Catholic. "Religious traditions and customs permeate the national consciousness, and Catholic imagery -- crosses, shrines, rosaries, and candles -- decorate every town. Like much of Latin America, Mexico practices a form of Catholicism fused with native traditions that places great significance on the Virgin Mary and the saints" ("Religion," Let's Go Mexico, 2011). This stands in profound contrast to the United States, with its far more diverse religious population, and the First Amendment separation of religion from civic life.