De-mything Mexico

The title sounds smart, don't you think?

Do you enjoy Mexican restaurants? I, too, enjoy those cheesy restaurants like "Guadalajara Gus's" that serve hot, but hot, plates of oozy Mexican food while guests listen to mariachis sing songs like "Cielito Lindo" and "Mexico, Lindo y Querido." Fun! However, as the wife of a Mexican and an ex-pat who has lived in Mexico for some 6-odd years, I have to say that as I look back now, I can't honestly say that "All I Really Learned About Mexico I Learned in A Mexican Restaurant".

With that in mind, I thought I'd write a list. (I haven't done that for awhile!) The following list simply states observations of mine, and is by no means exhaustive. It also reflects my own opinion, so take it as just that!

Myths:
1. All Mexican food is spicy and all Mexicans like food that is hot and spicy.
My good friend, Elizama, doesn't like hot, spicy food. She always tells me that I like it hotter than she does.
2. It's rude to be late to an event, and proper to leave as soon as the event ends.
Remember those "culturally sensitive classes" you had to take in college or elsewhere? Mexico is an event oriented culture. The event is important, not the hour (schedule). It dawned on me last Sunday that after our worship time together, almost the entire church stayed at least 30 minutes past the closing prayer. We Americans often are out the door and to the restaurant within at least 5 minutes! I remember a fellow American in Mexico saying how he would often try to be the last person to leave--and how difficult it was to succeed in that undertaking!
3. It's ok to say anything I want in English, because nobody will know what I'm saying anyway!
Ok, first of all, it's just not Christ-like to say mean things about people in any language. Second of all, many people understand English rather well, even if they never say a word to you. Third of all, often people live in the USA and come to visit family here in Mexico. So, be careful little mouth what you say!
4. All Mexicans look the same.
Get out of here! You mean, not all Mexicans look like that typical John Wayne movie Mexican? Remember, Spain conquered Mexico and many of the Spaniards weren't exactly kind to the Mexican women. My husband's grandmother had fair hair, skin, and eyes. His mother had green eyes. (By the way, one young friend told me, "All of the American girls in the movies look the same.")
5. Tacos have hard shells and ground beef, and you eat them with tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese.
I can't speak for the whole country, because I live in the Valley of Mexico, or Central Mexico. In our area, however, tacos usually consist of meat (beef--not ground, chicken, or pork) and come in soft corn tortillas, sometimes passed quickly through hot oil. Basically, if you put it in a tortilla and fold the tortilla to eat it, it's a taco. :) But hey, I like both types--Mexican or "Ortega" tacos. I'm not a taco snob.

That's a start--something to ponder if you have those misconceptions about Mexico! Leave a comment on "myths" about other countries you might have visited. I'd love to know where I have thought incorrectly about the world!