Common misconceptions about Mexicans

[Avengardh]

We don't eat beans and tortillas everyday...

Our Indepence Day is the 15th of September, not the 5th of May.

We also don't wear sombreros and ride horses all day. Yes, people in villages wear hats, and yes, some of them still own horses, but we also have metropolitan cities like any other country.

We do have two last names.

We celebrate death and also mock it and at the same time respect it.

----------------------
I'm not saying these are things anyone in here said, they are simply common questions I have been asked throughout my life, and felt that I wanted to inform the public about. Comments, rants, etc etc are like always, welcome ^_^

~*Aven*~

[nobarcode]

We don't eat beans and tortillas everyday...

~*Aven*~
Why the hell not? I could easily live very nicely eating beans and tortillas. YUM!

[Odyssey]

Are you a Mexican living in Mexico, or are you Mexican American? I'm curious because I've had a close Mexico-Mexican friend that I still keep in touch with every once in a while.

~Odyssey

[Avengardh]

We don't eat beans and tortillas everyday...

~*Aven*~
Why the hell not? I could easily live very nicely eating beans and tortillas. YUM!

Lol, it was more a derogatory comment I have heard a lot of times about us, and since I don't look Mexican, they don't really cover up what they are saying.

It is good nutrition, but you still need other things to balance a diet.

~*Aven*~

[Avengardh]

Are you a Mexican living in Mexico, or are you Mexican American? I'm curious because I've had a close Mexico-Mexican friend that I still keep in touch with every once in a while.

~Odyssey

I am a Mexican living in the US who will soon go back to Mexico.

I don't consider myself Mexican-American because I wasn't born here (and technically Mexico is also North America), but if I had to consider myself something other than Mexican then the closest thing to it would be Chicano(a).

The US has been my home for 8-9 yrs, I don't really fit in here or there anymore, it's sad, but it has its advantages.

~*Aven*~

[nobarcode]

We don't eat beans and tortillas everyday...

~*Aven*~
Why the hell not? I could easily live very nicely eating beans and tortillas. YUM!

Lol, it was more a derogatory comment I have heard a lot of times about us, and since I don't look Mexican, they don't really cover up what they are saying.

It is good nutrition, but you still need other things to balance a diet.

~*Aven*~
Nutrition? Oh yeah... DUH. I forgot about tequila. :D

[file cabinet]

y home for 8-9 yrs, I don't really fit in here or there anymore, it's sad, but it has its advantages.

why don't you fit in?

[Avengardh]

y home for 8-9 yrs, I don't really fit in here or there anymore, it's sad, but it has its advantages.

why don't you fit in?

For starters, once you tell anyone down there that you have lived up here, they think you believe you have turned into a god or something (which in certain cases, it's true, but we are talking about me here...) and they make fun of you for it, hate you, are insanely jealous, hit on you (happens more with guys, head of a family and all, but girls get it too), or a combination of the above.

And I don't fit in down there because I am fairly different when it comes to opinions about politics (although most of us hate the current President), school, religion, marriage, kids, etc, etc. It's a cultural thing, there are a lot of very religious people down there, and I just don't do that.
Aside from the fact that my dad was in the Communist party when young, I have to say, I am not exactly ashamed of him...

There are a lot of reasons why I don't fit up here either, one of them being my obvious cultural differences, I was described by someone once as "having a code" on how I lived life. Perhaps I am too serious about some things, or too rightgeous, who knows, I could type more, but my fingers hurt and I seriously doubt anyone wants to read the longness of the reply, lol.

~*Aven*~

[antireconciler]

Edited (not approprite).

So ... how did the misconception that May 5th is the Mexican Independence Day take of? What is the importance of this day?

[Avengardh]

Okay, and...

you can't call everyone "Jose".



You mean, "José"? Don't forget the accent there. :D

[antireconciler]

Okay, and...

you can't call everyone "Jose".



You mean, "José"? Don't forget the accent there. :D

Ah, shit. I shouldn't post something I think I'm going to take back.

Oh, well ~

[Avengardh]

Okay, and...

you can't call everyone "Jose".



You mean, "José"? Don't forget the accent there. :D

Ah, shit. I shouldn't post something I think I'm going to take back.

Oh, well ~

Why? I thought it was a good post, just teasing ya. ^-^

[Jezebel]

Edited (not approprite).

So ... how did the misconception that May 5th is the Mexican Independence Day take of? What is the importance of this day?

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. I remember we would always have a party for this day in my spanish classes. It was the day that the French were defeated in a battle. That's about all I remember, but if you're really curious I'm sure there's lots of documentation on this. Anyways, as a US citizen with no mexican heritage, I can say that it's easy to confuse the dates. We always made a big deal about Cinco de Mayo in school, while I can't remember what we did for the independence day. If I had been asked about the date before reading this post, I wouldn't have been able to remember, while Cinco de Mayo is ingrained in my memory.

[Johnny]

For the longest time, I thought Cinco de Mayo had something to do with fighting for independence from Spain. I got to find out I was wrong when I visited Ignacio Zaragoza's birthplace, which was interesting for its place in the history of Texas independence...

[Avengardh]

Edited (not approprite).

So ... how did the misconception that May 5th is the Mexican Independence Day take of? What is the importance of this day?

Like someone else already said, el cinco de mayo (no capitals in Spanish) was the battle in which the Mexican soldiers defeated the French right where I am from, Puebla (that's and "a" at the end, not an "o", hehe, I've had people think that I am from Pueblo...), Mexico.

The importance of the 15th of September (we also celebrate it on the 16th) was that at that time (and for the first time if I believe correctly), the father Maria Morelos y Pavón and his disciple Miguel Hidalgo (also a father) rose in arms leading several town folk to protest against the current government.

As some of you might know, this didn't really pay off in the end, I wish I could say it did and the current government is being fair and just, but I can't. At least we got rid of the PRI.

~*Aven*~

[Claverhouse]

I hope this won't spoil your mood, but I rode for Maximilian... I couldn't stand smug little preachers like Juarez or corrupt oligarchs like Diaz; though I suppose they're heroes in Mexico.

On Diaz's life & times, ever read the fiction of B. Traven ? Although the opposite of my political beliefs, he rings very true socially. But then he was a German, and they generally have a certain insightfulness.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Melody]

My family ate beans and tortillas everyday. But, we mix other things in there, like rice.

[Avengardh]

I hope this won't spoil your mood, but I rode for Maximilian... I couldn't stand smug little preachers like Juarez or corrupt oligarchs like Diaz; though I suppose they're heroes in Mexico.

On Diaz's life & times, ever read the fiction of B. Traven ?

Nope, never have read that fiction.

Maximiliano was an interesting character...but to tell you the truth what happened in the past didn't, like I said before, amount to anything.
Juarez had his ideals, most of them I agreed with. If I had to choose one of the figures from the past it would have probably been Zapata or Villa, or the 12 young soldiers who gave their lives so the flag of Mexico would stay on the hand of a Mexican.

Mexico has had many leaders, and to me the past doesn't really matter to me that much if nothing has been improved over the years.
I want to be able to change the future, reflect on the past but not get stuck on it.

I guess maybe it's because I live my life with very few memories of my past, the rest I hide in the back of my mind somewhere, or I simply forget about it.

And don't worry about disturbing the mood, I posted this so people would comment, not so they couldn't ^_^

~*Aven*~

[nobarcode]

My family ate beans and tortillas everyday. But, we mix other things in there, like rice.
Exactly, if you can put it in there, roll it up and smoke it..ur, I mean eat it. You just can't go wrong. :ph34r:

[Star Cannon]

I'd gladly eat beans and tortillas. Actually, I think I;ve been craving for tacos lately. Yummy tacos! (THanks for the material for that inituative insight!)

Star Cannon

[Avengardh]

Hand-made ones are the best!

Tortillas...that is...

I'm homesick now...u.u

~*Aven*~

[Melody]

Yeah. I love home-made ones. I put a little salt in them and roll them up. mmm I crave 100% home-made enchiladas. I eat those like Homer Simpsons eats hamburgers in hell.

[Claverhouse]

Well, thanks for clearing up our preconceived stereotypes about Mexicans.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Avengardh]

Well, thanks for clearing up our preconceived stereotypes about Mexicans.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

Um, you're welcome? ^_^

Really, just wanted to inform...and if I did, I'm glad.

~*Aven*~

[Utopmk]

Hand-made ones are the best!

Tortillas...that is...

I'm homesick now...u.u


I love everything about mexican culture, including tortillas.

I've had the pleasure of being invited to a Fiesta, the food was amazing. :wub:

[HairlessBluetick]

I eat those like Homer Simpsons eats hamburgers in hell.

Donuts. Homer eats donuts in Hell. But nevermind. :) Sorry.

[Birnam]

mmmm, tortillas... beans.... I'll have to admit to eating beans and tortillas almost every day. :D Put that one down for misconceptions about United Statesians (<-word?), we don't all eat hamburgers and soda evey day ;)

Any other misconceptions you'd like to dispel? I know I'd be interested in hearing them. Maybe you could tell us more about the festivals for the dead? (hey, you're offering information, I'll soak it all in :) )

[Melody]

I eat those like Homer Simpsons eats hamburgers in hell.

Donuts. Homer eats donuts in Hell. But nevermind. :) Sorry.
Really? My memory of details is wiggly. I speak of the episode where Homer makes a deal with the devil or something like that. I think it was a Halloween special thingie.

[Avengardh]

mmmm, tortillas... beans.... I'll have to admit to eating beans and tortillas almost every day. :D Put that one down for misconceptions about United Statesians (<-word?), we don't all eat hamburgers and soda evey day ;)

Any other misconceptions you'd like to dispel? I know I'd be interested in hearing them. Maybe you could tell us more about the festivals for the dead? (hey, you're offering information, I'll soak it all in :) )

Lol, sure ^_^

Day of the dead was started back in the day of the Aztecs, so we can say that it's one of the few traditions that was not somehow altered by the Spanish.

We usually not only celebrate it on the 2nd of Nov. but that whole week starting with the first (I believe that day the altars for the young children are made). The basic meaning to us is very sentimental, in the sense that we are remembering the dead. Usually, people go visit their dead at the cementaries, dress the tombs with flowers, candles, and some stay overnight praying and "talking" with their dead-loved-ones.

Of course, not everyone is able to visit their dead, so usually and altar consisting of their favorite foods (when they were alive), toys, etc. is put up. We believe that the dead will come to our homes to visit us and extract the smells from the food, this is why it's important to have the food prepared the night before.

There are a lot of other traditions we follow, one of those is making pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, etc.

We also don't just put up altars for our loved ones, but for other dead people and animals.

Here's a picture:

http://www.karito.net/casacultura.jpg

I left it like that so you can see the altars at night. The place where these altars are at is called "La Casa de la Cultura" or The House of Culture, I grew up where it is situated, Puebla City, in Puebla.

And thanks for asking, lately I don't feel like posting, but this question was just what I needed to jump back in ^_^

~*Aven*~

[Birnam]

And thanks for answering :) We have to keep this board stocked with interesting conversations ;)

cool picture! question- Do you have personal altars as well? In your home- I would think this would be the case.
I can't think right now, but The Day of the Dead reminds me of the old brittish traditions for All Hallows Eve (before it became the commercialized mess it is today, or even before the Catholics tried to christianize it), which was basically a day for the remembrance of the dead with candles set to lead them to your home so they could visit as that was the night when they were free to roam.

I looked up your home town- Puebla, I must say it looks like a neat place to explore. 'Nother question! Since you've lived both in Mexico and the US, what do you think about the lack of historical "monoliths" in the US (or mostly the west)? Over here there aren't very many visual reminders of our past, or the past of our country- the few scattered forts, ghost towns etc that are only a couple hundred years old. Whereas in Mexico you have the Aztec ruins, the European cathedrals that the Spaniards built and many other such 'monuments'- Any thoughts?

[Melody]

My thought on that is that the United States is young and still not stable, so us Americans have to be careful.

[antireconciler]

Oh c'mon! And other countries are more stable even if they have been around since dirt was new? America plays "world stabilizer" all the time.

I think a lot of people in the United States think all foreigners feel resentment towards America. I know a LOT of teachers I've had have gone on and on and on about how everyone hates America. Statistically, that has to be a misconception. lol (It actually says a lot about those teachers as people)

[Melody]

Yeah, I agree with that. I think a good majority of people like us.

You are familiar with hit songs? That is what I feel America is at the moment. It could change very quickly. We are living in tomorrow's history. This has to be recognized.

In any case, Mexico has trouble because of its education. I believe this is the root problem.

[int]

Me too. I'm acquainted with a non-profit that works in Agua Prieta, educating bario refugees. The success rate is amazing, once they're given the opportunity. :)

[Avengardh]

And thanks for answering :) We have to keep this board stocked with interesting conversations ;)

cool picture! question- Do you have personal altars as well? In your home- I would think this would be the case.
I can't think right now, but The Day of the Dead reminds me of the old brittish traditions for All Hallows Eve (before it became the commercialized mess it is today, or even before the Catholics tried to christianize it), which was basically a day for the remembrance of the dead with candles set to lead them to your home so they could visit as that was the night when they were free to roam.

I looked up your home town- Puebla, I must say it looks like a neat place to explore. 'Nother question! Since you've lived both in Mexico and the US, what do you think about the lack of historical "monoliths" in the US (or mostly the west)? Over here there aren't very many visual reminders of our past, or the past of our country- the few scattered forts, ghost towns etc that are only a couple hundred years old. Whereas in Mexico you have the Aztec ruins, the European cathedrals that the Spaniards built and many other such 'monuments'- Any thoughts?

In itself, you still have the ruins of the Native Americans, I was fortunate to vist Mesa Verde before a fire destructed a lot of them.

I can't relate to the absence of history, because I have always been told where I come from, etc, etc. So I guess I don't really think anything of it, I am neutral in that fact, this is a country built on immigrants, and each of them bring their roots and customs to add to the diversity.
Which I always found fascinating.

To answer the question about education, the education in Mexico is not for everyone, in the sense that the academic level is higher in the cities (and in some villages). Not many stick to it because it's hard, and it's easier to work. When I came here to the US I knew a lot of things that many others didn't (of course I still had to learn English). Mexico's education system is more socialistic, we wear uniforms until we get to College.

I think the biggest problem is not education, however, it's the government. Which is to be expected, one can't blame the schools in small villages if they don't even have money to get every kid some pencils. I was amazed one day when I went to a 4-day trip with my school (elementary, I went to a private school), we went to a school for natives of the Puebla area, they were learning nahuatl, the native language of the Aztecs and they also knew way more advanced math than we did, aside from history and science, they were constructing and maintaining their own ecological environment, and they were eating from what they produced.
And this was in a small village, where everyone learned thanks to really really ancient books, no new editions here.

I was amazed, I have always been a city person, and I didn't even know my native language.

This is just an example to illustrate the fact that every nation has its own "hidded" heritage, even in Mexico there are different groups and small communities that differ from our own.

To reply to Bir, yes, we could say that where I am from is another "little Spain" mixed in with French and Aztec influences. It's very colonial, it is said that Puebla was built by angels, but that's only the Catholic influence speaking.

I have no idea how it has changed, I can only tell from pictures. And you are certainly welcome ^_^


I have nothing against the US, yeah, many people hate it, but many others want to be like this nation, I had no idea what it was really like until I came to live here. I am thankful to this nation, because it really is the land of opportunities. I have also found many friends here that have been my salvation from insanity, but I also don't agree with many of the things Bush is doing, and many of the things people say about Mexicans.

It's two-sided, but I am not about to discriminate people like people have discriminated me, I don't judge people until I get to know them better, and even then, I am pretty open minded.

~*Aven*~

[Johnny]

I agree that Mesa Verde, in fact the whole 4-corners, is very nice.

[s]

Ethnocentric people are quick to make ignorant assumptions about Mexican cultura and it tends to be a sore spot with me. I could go on forever about everything from horrible Tex-Mex style food to assumptions that all Mexicans look alike. Mexico is about so much more than Cancun, sobreros, and melted velvetta (blech). Que Viva Mexico.

Raised as Proud Native "Texican"

[Avengardh]

Ethnocentric people are quick to make ignorant assumptions about Mexican cultura and it tends to be a sore spot with me. I could go on forever about everything from horrible Tex-Mex style food to assumptions that all Mexicans look alike. Mexico is about so much more than Cancun, sobreros, and melted velvetta (blech). Que Viva Mexico.

Raised as Proud Native "Texican"

Yay ^^

Welcome *hugs you* I don't really hug people randomly...I just somehow had to...hehe.

~*Aven*~

[s]

Ethnocentric people are quick to make ignorant assumptions about Mexican cultura and it tends to be a sore spot with me. I could go on forever about everything from horrible Tex-Mex style food to assumptions that all Mexicans look alike. Mexico is about so much more than Cancun, sobreros, and melted velvetta (blech). Que Viva Mexico.

Raised as Proud Native "Texican"

Yay ^^

Welcome *hugs you* I don't really hug people randomly...I just somehow had to...hehe.

~*Aven*~

De nada, coMadre.

[INTrPosr]

We do have two last names.

Interesting that you mention this. I was just conducting an on-site at a manufacturing company. One of the people that I interviewed was Mexican. I wanted to make sure that I was pronouncing his name correctly to the company's Attorney, when their HR person said that he was going by another last name. I tried to explain (the best that I could recall) that either the sir name of the the father could be considered the middle name (or vice versa) resulting in many Mexicans using the last name. It pisses me off :rant: to no end when the first thing that someone assumes is that the person is an illegal alien or criminal.

I will have to admit that, the only person coming close to stealing my heart, referred to herself as being Tex Mex (from West Texas). She was hot! :wub:. To the best of my analysis, I think that she was ISFJ. Smart, beautiful and could be fiesty at the right moment. She taught me a lot about myself and how I come across to people in general. I would have given it all up for her! I used to send her email cards, translated in spanish. She would laugh since some words in English have no equivalence in the Spanish language.:blush: But, it was fun.

Another misconception among Americans is that tacos and burritos (filled with meat) were originated in Mexico. That's a farce and it's my understanding that they are Tex Mex foods.

[Melody]

Mexicans invented the internet.

[Claverhouse]

Mexicans invented the internet.


Yeah; 1922, wasn't it ?



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[MacGuffin]

Another misconception among Americans is that tacos and burritos (filled with meat) were originated in Mexico. That's a farce and it's my understanding that they are Tex Mex foods.

USA!
USA!
USA!
USA!

We rule!

:thumbup:

[Melody]

Yes. 1922 was about the time El Gorrito was born. He later tried for the U.S. presidency...

[Niflheimian]

Mexicans invented the internet.

Wasn't that Al Gore? ;P

edit: *realizes Melody already said something about Gore* Oh well.