detail from: KRK Art dizajn

WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS 

SIMO JELAČA, PhD

FORWARD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.  

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others. 

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it. 

                                                                                                            Author

MEXICO
 CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location:  Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US. 

Size: 1,972.550 square km.

Capital:   Mexico City, population 21.2 million. 

Climate:  varies from tropical to desert. 

Population:  105 million. 

Ethnic Make-up: Mestizo 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% .

Religions:  nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%. 

Government:  federal republic

Language in Mexico

Spanish control of Mexico led to the dominance of Spanish, the official language. As many as 100 Native American languages are still spoken in Mexico, but no single alternative language prevails. Eighty percent of those Mexicans who speak an indigenous language also speak Spanish.
The most important of the Native American languages is Nahuatl. It is the primary language of more than a million Mexicans and is spoken by nearly one-fourth of all Native Americans in the country. This is followed by Maya, used by 14 percent of Native Americans.

Mexican Society & Culture

Mexican Family Values

·         The family is at the center of the social structure.

·         Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still generally large.

·         The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of stability.

·         Mexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example, they will help find employment or finance a house or other large purchase.

·         Most Mexican families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and the decision-maker.

·         Mothers are greatly revered, but their role may be seen as secondary to that of their husband.

Hierarchical Society

·         Mexican society and business are highly stratified and vertically structured.

·         Mexicans emphasize hierarchical relationships.

·         People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making.

·         Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated with respect.

·         This makes it important to know which person is in charge, and leads to an authoritarian approach to decision-making and problem- solving.

·         Mexicans are very aware of how each individual fits into each hierarchy--be it family, friends or business.

·         It would be disrespectful to break the chain of hierarchy.

Etiquette & Customs in Mexico

Meeting Etiquette

·         When greeting in social situations, women pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder, rather than shake hands

·         Men shake hands until they know someone well, at which time they progress to the more traditional hug and back slapping. 

·         Wait until invited before using a Mexican's first name

Gift Giving Etiquette

·         If invited to a Mexican's house, bring a gift such as flowers or sweets.

·         Gift wrapping does not follow any particular protocol.

·         Do not give marigolds as they symbolize death.

·         Do not give red flowers as they have a negative connotation.

·         White flowers are a good gift as they are considered uplifting.

·         Gifts are opened immediately.

·         If you receive a gift, open it and react enthusiastically.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Mexican's home:

·         Arrive 30 minutes late in most places. 

·         Arriving on time or early is considered inappropriate.

·         At a large party you may introduce yourself.

·         At a smaller gathering the host usually handles the introductions.

Watch your table manners!

. Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.

·         When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.

·         Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.

·         Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

·         Only men give toasts.

·         It is polite to leave some food on your plate after a meal.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Mexico

Relationships & Communication

·         The right connections facilitate business success.

·         You will be judged by the person who introduces you and changing this first impression is nearly impossible.

·         Since the initial meeting is generally with someone of high stature, it is important that your delegation include an upper-level executive.

·         After the initial getting-to-know-you meeting, the senior executive may not attend meetings or be visible.

·         This indicates you are now getting down to business and they are no longer needed to smooth the introduction.

·         Demonstrating trustworthiness, sincerity, and integrity are crucial to building relationships.

·         Expect to answer questions about your personal background, family and life interests.

Business Meeting Etiquette

·         Business appointments are required and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Reconfirm the appointment one week before the meeting.

·         Reconfirm the meeting again once you arrive in Mexico and make sure that the secretary of the person you will be meeting knows how to contact you.

·         It is important that you arrive on time for meetings, although your Mexican business associates may be up to 30 minutes late.

·         Do not appear irritated if this occurs as people often run behind schedule.

·         Meetings may be postponed with little advance warning.

·         Initial meetings are formal.

·         Have all written material available in both English and Spanish.

·         Agendas are not common. If they are given, they are not always followed.

Business Negotiation

·         Since Mexicans are status conscious, you should always have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive.

·         If you do not speak Spanish, hire an interpreter.

·         It will take several meetings to come to an agreement.

·         Face-to-face meetings are preferred over telephone, letters or email.

·         Negotiations and decisions take a long time. You must be patient.

·         Deadlines are seen as flexible and fluid, much like time itself.

·         Negotiations will include a fair amount of haggling. Do not give your best offer first.

·         Do not include an attorney on your negotiating team.

Business Dress

·         Dress as you would in Europe.

·         Men should wear conservative, dark coloured suits.

·         Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.

Business Cards

·         Business cards are exchanged during introductions with everyone at a meeting.

·         It is advisable to have one side of your business card in Spanish.

·         Business cards should contain both your professional and educational qualifications.

·         Present your business card with the Spanish side facing the recipient.

Identification 

The word "Mexico" is derived from Mexico (pronounced "Me-shee-ka"), the name for the indigenous group that settled in central Mexico in the early fourteenth century and is best known as the Aztecs. On a smaller scale the Mexican nation has traditionally been characterized by strong provincial and local cultural identities.

Location and Geography 

Mexico is situated in North America, although culturally, it is identified more closely with Central and South American countries. It borders the United States in the north, Guatemala and Belize in the south, the Pacific Ocean in the west, and the Gulf of Mexico in the east. The national territory measures nearly two million square kilometers. 

Symbolism

The most important icon of Mexican national culture is the Virgin of Guadalupe, which illustrates the pervasive influence of Roman Catholicism in the national culture. She is viewed as the "mother" of all Mexicans. 

Urbanism and Architecture

Mexican cities have been built from the central square (zócalo) outwards. The main church and the municipal or state palace are invariably to be found on the zócalo, which is the center of a colonial checkerboard pattern of streets. Mexican architecture was heavily influenced by Spanish and French traditions.

The houses of Mexicans have been inward looking, towards a patio. Their front sides consist of plastered walls and barred windows.

 Food in Daily Life 

Mexico possesses an extensive and sophisticated culinary culture, with a great variety of regional dishes. Three products constitute the heart of most Mexican dishes: corn, hot peppers (chilies), and beans. Corn is consumed in all possible forms.

Mexicans generally have a light breakfast of coffee and/or fruit before they leave for work or school. The most important meal of the day is served between two and four in the afternoon (the comida ) and consists of three or four courses: soup; rice or pasta; meat or chicken. Dinner is served between eight and ten at night and consists mainly of sweet rolls, coffee, and milk.

Basic Economy 

Mexico has a free-market economy with a mixture of modern and traditional industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. 

Major Industries 

The major manufactured goods were motor vehicles, consumer durables, food, beverages, tobacco, chemicals, textiles, and clothing.

Social Welfare  

The state provides welfare facilities for most Mexicans. In urban centers, but not in rural areas, health facilities are mostly well equipped.

Marriage 

Mexicans are free to choose their marriage partners. Informally, however, there are rules that constrain choices, most importantly those related to class and ethnicity. People usually marry after a period of formal engagement that can last several years.

Infant Care 

Infants are mostly cared for at the parental home. Some are cared for at a private nursery from the age of three months. At the age of four, children are officially required to attend a kindergarten for twoyears. Male babies are dressed in blue and female babies in soft pink. 

The most important initiation ceremony for girls is held when they turn fifteen. This fiesta de quince años marks the transition from girl to señorita.

Inheritance 

Inheritance laws make no distinction between men and women. Each child is legally entitled to an equal share, but in practice male descendants are often privileged. In the countryside land is often distributed only among sons. 

Higher Education 

In Mexico higher education is considered a road to socioeconomic progress and well-being.At the beginning of university courses, there were just over 1.5 million students in the universities of which 811,000 were men and 704,000 were women. Half the students studied social and administrative sciences and a third were in engineering and technology. 

Etiquette 

Generally speaking, Mexicans shake hands when they meet or in the case of two women meeting or a man and a woman meeting, kiss each other on the cheek once. In the case of close friends and on special occasions, such as New Year's Eve, Mexican men and women embrace each other.

Health Care 

The Mexican health system is sharply divided between public and private facilities, the latter being accessible only to the well-to-do. The overwhelming majority of the population depends on the government. 

SHARE THIS PAGE ON: