Culture

Mexicans are big into coffee. I think they’re even more into coffee than Seattleites, which I suppose is a large claim. Wikipedia states that folks in this coastal port have “a reputation for heavy coffee consumption.” Yet I believe, those in Mexico are on par, cups per day. Sure, the coffee blend is a bit different. People in Seattle are into their coffee—you know, a grande, soy, white mocha with no foam type thing. On the contrary, most Mexicans will drink whatever’s served up—and usually it’s instant. The whole concept of coffee is different, especially where and how it’s drunk. I know it’s the big thing to sit around in a Starbucks with your friends—but it’s just as common to go it alone in the drive-thru, throwing down 4 bucks to ease your single occupant commute home. This is essentially unheard of in Mexico. […]

“Everything is so inefficient in Mexico.” I hear this comment with regularity, along with “Mexico time,” or “mañana.” And even though I’m not Mexican, sometimes I feel a bit defensive. Hey!—there are reasons for the slow rhythm. I’m trying the best I can to hurry this along.—I think to myself. Yet no doubt that in comparison to the American pace, life in Mexico is played to a different cadence.

Below are five time-consuming categories that I deal with on a regular basis. Disclaimer: This list is not a complaint. It is not complete. It is written only to describe items that for me, devour the hour.

Two Sundays ago I listened to a sermon that confirmed what I’ve heard over and over. The guest preacher, who has worked with high school mission trips for almost twenty years, said the following. “The most common comment from a first time short-term mission tripper to Tijuana is: ‘The people are so poor, yet they are so happy.’”

To be fair, I thought the same on my first few trips across the border. Yet now, I never know quite how to respond when hearing this, because I disagree with the statement. I believe it’s a falsehood. Are the poor truly that happy? The answer is no. The question should really be made into the statement: “If I was that poor, I’d be miserable.”[…]

“Let’s just wait until the next group comes to fix it.”

I’ve heard this statement a few times and it’s bad news. Dependency upon missionaries, short-term mission trip teams, or funds from first world countries are often commonplace. After many years of “western missions” into poor countries, in hindsight, dependency seems only obvious. In Tijuana alone there are tons of consequential examples.

But if we put on idealistic glasses, I think dependency is healthy—it’s certainly biblical[…]

Recently on the radio, I listened intently to a debate between the talk show host and a caller. The caller insisted that today’s wages in the U.S. cannot sufficiently provide for the basics. The host disagreed saying that most of the basics today are much cheaper than they were 50 years ago. He gave examples of clothing, transportation, furniture, and food. All of which, on the whole, are relatively less expensive in 2007 than they were in 1957. The problem, according to the host, is that our lifestyles today “demand” necessities that aren’t necessities. Just think of all the tech items that one has to have, and it becomes obvious why the family budget is in the red.

As Michelle said, it seems that “disposable income spent on superficial things” is seen on all levels (as I’m now saying).

To me, inefficiency in the U.S. is a cultural blunder. I become quickly frustrated when someone in front of me arrives at the cash register unprepared or when an employee would arrive late to work. With the U.S.-mindset, efficiency is ranked high on the scale of values. Bring that mentality down across the border, and you’ll become annoyed, burned-out, and inefficient yourself.

Last weekend I attended the wedding of a good family friend. I had advised the bride’s family that my wife, Cynthia, and I would arrive late due to a prior engagement the morning of. They said, “No problem!”—just as long as we would make it. Wow, that’s great, I thought, the Mexican culture sure is forgiving about time; we can arrive late, and everybody’s happy […]

“You’re not American,” sneered Carlos, “the first Americans were the natives! You’re an invader!”

I would’ve expected to hear this out of a liberal professor back at the university I attended—but in Mexico? And I may not even disagree with this statement in theory—but from a Tijuana teenager? C’mon!

I like the kid. He’s a rebel and he’s smart. But he’s also out of balance and out of perspective. Carlos hates me because I am “American.” And this is no joke. Even further, he hates that the United States plays big brother around the globe. Therefore I am definitely not Carlos’s best friend, as I am a U.S. citizen doing humanitarian aid in Mexico. How much worse could I get?

Many people go into culture shock as they step foot into Mexico. But do Mexicans experience culture shock in other Latin American countries?

Lorena was born and raised in Mexico; but now in her late twenties, she’s just moved to the States. She and her husband, Francisco, are attending a mostly all-white church. The congregation meets in a nice building in an upper-middle-class neighborhood.

Señora Cynthia (my wife) and I had the pleasure of attending the annual Christmas concert by the Tijuana Choir and Opera. The director and two choir members attend my church. I purchased two tickets for 100 pesos a piece, donned my best button-up, and escorted my date into the (unwashed) king cab.
The concert hall […]

On a friend’s recommendation I watched Born Into Brothels last night. This documentary is about the children of prostitutes living in Calcutta’s red light district. Not something you want to rent for family movie night.
The film had some dramatic and shocking scenes in it but what struck me the most is that they probably could have made a nearly identical movie in Tijuana’s own Zona Roja[…]