The powers that be in Spain scoffed, saying that historical events shouldn’t be judged through a modern lens. A few op-ed pieces were written about it in the Mexican papers, and people fought about it on Facebook for a bit. Upper-class Mexicans especially rolled their eyes.

“The Spaniards of today are not the same people, and neither are we, duh.“

The idea seemed to die down as more pressing matters inevitably took its place. But it apparently had not been put to bed once and for all. With the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, and later in a morning press conference, it was revived.

First, there was her inauguration. The same king of Spain who rejected an apology the first time around, King Felipe VI, was not invited. As a result, Spain sent no guests at all. Yikes!

I know it’s diplomacy, and maybe it’s because I’m currently binge-watching “Downton Abbey,” but these kinds of tiffs strike me as kind of adorable. Royalty: they’re just like us! Not invited to the big party? Everyone’s going to hear about it, now!

One of the reasons given by Sheinbaum for not extending the invitation was that King Felipe had not responded to López Obrador’s letter requesting the apology. Spain’s Prime Minister, though, was not convinced. He called it “unacceptable and inexplicable, given the level of relations between Spain and Mexico, two ‘brother’ countries.” Spain did not send a delegation to the inauguration.

“Brothers,” hmm. Well, Mexico and Spain have always had a rather tough relationship. Is it any wonder they’d occasionally participate in a tit-for-tat?

I’m sorry is all that you can’t say…

Perhaps they’ll take a page from Tracy Chapman’s “Baby Can I Hold You” and love each other despite the lack of apology? Or cooperate, at least, which is what they seem to be doing. So what about the apology?

I don’t know a whole lot about diplomatic relations, but I do know about pride and stubbornness. And one thing I know for sure is that apologizing can be hard, especially if you don’t think you should have to.

I also know that culturally, saying “I was wrong, I’m sorry,” is not easy, especially here. I can’t count how many people I know whose only version of the phrase is, “I’m sorry, but…” They then launch into all the reasons that they are right, and so of course don’t need to apologize. There are even some people who I’ve never heard apologize a single time. Say why they shouldn’t, sure, but accept responsibility?

So I’m not saying that Spain should apologize because it’s currently responsible for the atrocities committed during the Conquest. I’m saying Spain should apologize because it would be symbolically important to a lot of people.

Because while the number isn’t quite as high, in addition to the “I’m sorry, but…” people, I know quite a lot who simply hate Spain and Spaniards. Why? “Because of what they did to us.” Sigh.

To me, this has typically been just virtue-signaling. I don’t see anyone, for example, refusing to speak their language or worship their gods. “I’m discerning and angry because I have a sense of history.” Cool, cool. Is there anything you’re doing to help indigenous people today, then?

In the case of Morena, the answer is actually “kind of,” which is more than past administrations can say. Not only have they been included symbolically in high-level government ceremonies. Many of the current government programs aimed at helping those in poverty go to them, and justice plans for Indigenous people are being created and carried out under Morena’s government.

So come on, Your Majesty. Surely an important symbolic leader could give an important symbolic apology, right? It’s certainly not unprecedented, and it would make some people very happy. Can we not just do something to make some people happy?

According to the current and former presidents, the purpose of the apology is to simply acknowledge what happened, and to put it behind us. No one is asking Spain for reparations, though I wonder if they’re afraid of such requests to follow if they give an admission of guilt.

Perhaps that’s some of their reluctance. Because what is an apology without an offer to make amends?

Empty.

It could be that they don’t want to put themselves into a situation of being pressured to pay for it somehow. It could also be — this is a big maybe — that they don’t want to sound like hypocrites for offering an apology without suggestions for making it right.

Perhaps to them, it’s akin to the land acknowledgements found of late in the United States and Canada. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re essentially statements by the descendants of colonizers saying, “We recognize and honor you.”

I’m a card-carrying liberal, but this seems both silly and insulting to me. “We want to show we’re good people by saying we see you, but please, oh God, please do not suggest actual reparations.”

In the end, we’ll just have to see what happens. Mexico may never get its apology, or it may get it tomorrow. When a reporter pointed out former President Calderón having criticized the insistence on an apology, she quipped back. “Do you think that Calderón will someday apologize for the war on drugs?”

I’m not holding my breath for either apology.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

The post We’ve been here before: Should Spain apologize to Mexico? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Be aware that New Year’s Eve is a time that Mexican families like to spend with each other. You’ll surely be able to find some fun activities and parties, but don’t be put off if your Mexican besties have plans already, probably with their families.

For Mexicans, the stroke of midnight is a time to hug and kiss your loved ones. If you’ve got any down here with you, get ready for some squeezes! If you don’t, that’s okay. There’s still plenty of fun to be had!

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s favorite New Year traditions.

Colored underwear

This is something that took me a while to figure out. Why on Earth was I always seeing so much red and yellow underwear on sale at this time of year? Do people really like McDonald’s colors?

Actually, the colors are for luck. While there are more — green is for health, for example — red and yellow are the main ones. Wearing red underwear means you’ll attract love in the coming year, and yellow means that you’ll attract money. Unfortunately, my 2024 yellow underwear seems to have been defective. Well, we’ll try again, I guess!

Eating 12 grapes at midnight

There are some people who feel they have to eat all 12 grapes right away, at the same time. I’d advise against this, since, you know, choking hazard.

But if you go nice and slow, or someone in your party knows the Heimlich maneuver, go for it! Each of the 12 grapes represents a wish for the coming year. That’s quite a few wishes, so don’t be afraid to jot them down in advance!

Fireworks and other things to send you to the hospital

Mexico is a country that loves, loves, loves its fireworks, and New Year celebrations are no exception! While there’s not comprehensive data on how many people are injured by rockets every Dec. 31, my guess is a lot. Be careful out there!

Representing the old and new year

More fire! In Mexico, many people have the tradition of creating a kind of life-size scarecrow to represent the old year. And most actually burn it! If you’re going this route, I’d recommend doing it with someone with experience.

And here’s something you might see during the day on New Year’s Eve: bands of merry revelers dancing and clanging their ways up and down the streets. In this party, there will inevitably be a grown man hilariously dressed as a baby — the new year. They might be chasing or otherwise terrorizing the older-looking old year!

Cleaning for the new year

While we often talk about spring cleaning, in Mexico the new year is a great time for it. Why? Symbolism, baby, symbolism. It’s a literal “out with the old and in with the new” activity meant to purify and refresh your life. I’m 100 percent on board with this one, as cleaning and organizing is basically witchcraft as far as I’m concerned. Time to get rid of those things that are just taking up space!

Eating at midnight

This tradition, I’ll admit, is not my favorite. Plus, didn’t we just have to wait until midnight to eat on Christmas? What’s a gal supposed to do until then?

The answer, I guess, is a sandwich or something to hold you over, and in my case, a nap.

If this is your first New Year celebration spent in Mexico, then enjoy yourself! Get your underwear ready and your grapes prepared. Take a good nap, and try not to wind up in the hospital with sparkler burns.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

The post Mexican New Year’s Eve traditions to bring luck in 2025 appeared first on Mexico News Daily

No, she wasn’t chipped. And while I can’t speak for all places in Mexico, I can for my own city. Microchips in pets are not a “thing” here. Even if I’d had my dog microchipped somewhere else, no one where I live would even have a scanner to read it.

So how did she get lost in the first place?

Now that my partner has started working in a nearby city, I travel quite a bit to see him. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed where he’s renting, nor is the place suitable for a pet. Until we can find something better, I’ve simply got to find someone else to care for her when I’m away.

One option is a pensión, a doggie care facility where she can stay. These can come in all shapes and sizes, and aren’t all that expensive by U.S. standards. Sadly, I’m acclimated to Mexican prices, and 250 pesos a night adds up quickly when it’s frequent! It will do in a pinch, but like many hopelessly soft gringas, I’d so much rather she stay with someone she knows and trusts.

So when a friend who works from home offered to keep her, I breathed a sigh of relief and packed her little doggy bag.

In Mexico, doggie day cares are known as “pensiones”. (Joshua Chun en Unsplash)Their time together was nice. Each day, I got cute photos and videos of Lola, lounging comfortably in her home-away-from-home. On the morning I was set to pick her up, though, my friend called me, shaken.

There had been fireworks early that morning. Because as we all know, saints love morning fireworks, and this was not going to be the year we disappointed Saint Jude!

Here’s what happened: my friend briefly left Lola on her enclosed front patio while she took her daughter to catch the bus. When she got back, Lola was gone, having slipped through the wider bars that had seemed much too high for her to reach.

But a panicked dog can jump to great heights. Oh no.

What to do if your dog gets lost in Mexico

Still, we tried. Had someone picked her up? Doubtful, as she’s quite skittish around strangers. Was she hiding in someone’s yard, or a park or one of the other million possible places she could fit? Perhaps.

Was she using her magical doggy nose to slowly but surely make her way back home, many kilometers away? This I felt sure of, but it was impossible to know what route she’d have taken, and the streets she would have had to cross were formidable.

My  friend and I got to work. We wandered the surrounding area for hours over three different mornings. We printed Lost Dog signs and put them up. We knocked on doors and talked to the people who notice things that go on in neighborhoods: the merchants, the trash collectors, the older people who sit on their porches all day. We posted on Facebook’s many local lost pet groups, over and over again. My friend paid for a lost dog service that promised to use geography-specific targeted ads to get the word out in the areas she was likely to be. I cried in despair and worry more than once.

On the third day driving back home, what my religious friends call a miracle and my atheist friends call a wonderful coincidence occurred: I spotted Lola on the street.

Miraculously — I’m going with miracle — as I was driving back home in tears, I looked to my right. There was my little dog, crossing the street perpendicular to the one I was on. I quickly pulled into an X24’s tiny parking lot and rolled down the window to call to her. She looked around, confused, and finally spotted me when I opened the car door. She hopped in, and we had a happy, tearful reunion in front of a very confused X24 employee.

Now that all this has happened, I’m prepared: Lola has a new collar that never comes off, and an AirTag on her collar, as well. For good measure, she has her regular metal tag with my phone number on it, too.

There might not be any microchips, but this dog is not getting lost again. Although I do still need to figure out what to do with her when I have to leave town.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

The post What to do when you lose your dog in Mexico — A reunion chronicle appeared first on Mexico News Daily

When I first arrived, this was a shock to me, though I knew “in theory” to expect it.

My own family leaned puritanical when it came to any mind-altering substances; drinking, even a little, was never not deviant. There was hardly ever alcohol on the table, and once when I found cigarettes in my mom’s purse, I almost fainted, pearls tightly clutched.

Fast forward to the beginning of my first year in Mexico. I remember staring open-mouthed as the study abroad program director ordered a beer with his lunch. What?! As far as I knew, one beer could get you fall-down drunk and into all sorts of trouble.

Ah, such innocent times. As the year wore on, I loosened up a bit. I started having a little beer at parties, not knowing any better when it came to quality. I loved a good paloma on a night out. I was into wine for a while too when living in Querétaro, where nearby Tequisquiapan was an up-and-coming producer. And straight tequila and mezcal, I’ve loved from the first sips.

But as all of us who are old enough know, learning to “hold our liquor” takes time and practice. After sleeping a few times with one foot on the ground to keep the room from spinning or rushing to the bathroom when our bodies have had enough, most people are incredibly motivated to prevent the sick feelings that come after too much and that can last hours to days.

It speaks to the tastiness and inhibition-shedding qualities of alcohol that we don’t just give it up after a nasty experience, doesn’t it?

Instead, we try to game the system of our body’s response. Is this the part where I need to say that Mexico News Daily does not condone drinking excessively? Well, we don’t, I guess.

Anyway. Because most Mexicans really like to drink and do not have the kinds of puritanical views of it some to the north do, hangover cures are an important aspect of cultural knowledge.

And besides, they can even be an extension of the fun!

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s favorite remedies.

First, plan ahead

Before you start out on your imbibing, plan what you’re going to drink. If it’s a fancy affair, have some fancy drinks. “Entre más fino, menos cruda,” one friend told me (the fancier it is, the less of a hangover it will cause).

The exception to this, apparently, is red wine, no matter how fancy it is. Most of my friends here have told me that it’s a surefire way to wind up with a hangover the next day.

Mezcal, on the other hand, has a reputation for not causing hangovers at all. I have a feeling that I don’t actually believe that, but honestly I can’t remember, so take from it what you will.

Not mixing the type of alcohol you have in one sitting is also considered a good strategy. If it’s beer, stick to beer; if it’s tequila, stick to tequila. You get the idea.

And finally, drinking lots of water is a good idea all the time, but especially if you’re drinking lots of other stuff as well. I don’t drink a lot personally, but if I have more than one of something I’ll make sure to have a big glass of water in the middle. So far, it’s proven a good strategy.

Shoot, I got carried away and didn’t prepare at all

Well, my friends, you’re not alone. Luckily, plenty of other people have been in your shoes and shared their hard-won lessons. Especially luckily, most of them involve food!

Let’s have a look:

A michelada

Now, if you ask me, curing a hangover with even a little alcohol is not a good idea. But it’s not just beer, and Mexicans really have a lot of faith in it. From this article on the famous michelada: “Apart from the flavor, we argue that Clamato contains electrolytes that can rehydrate us, vitamin C from the lime juice that can strengthen our immune system, antioxidants from the tomato that can help maintain our youthfulness, and the capsaicin from the chili that can help keep us alert. While these claims haven’t been scientifically proven, we feel that our health improves every time we drink it.”

I mean I guess, but I’d still personally classify it as one of the grossest drinks I’ve tried. Bleh.

Suero

Now this, I can get a bit more behind. “Suero” can mean a lot of things, but it’s basically electrolytes. This could be in the form of Gatorade or Powerade, but it could also be a simply “marinero”: mineral water with salt and lime. That’s something I drink anyway because I like it, so I’m going to go ahead and count some free health points for myself.

Alka-Seltzer Boost 

I haven’t personally tried this one, but I have a friend who swears by it. When you’re feeling like death, though, anything’s worth a try!

Hearty, spicy food 

Through the power of corn and and chiles, you will come back to life! And if you don’t, you’ll at least get some good, sturdy food in your stomach. Chilaquiles are an incredibly popular choice, as is a nice, spicy pozole.

Seafood is also a popular choice, especially if you choose a nice shrimp cocktail, which actually has some of the same ingredients as a michelada. Maybe they’re on to something!

In the end, the best cure might actually be the memory of a past experience. But in case you get caught up and forget, we’ve got your back!

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/

The post What Mexicans do to cure their hangovers — A comprehensive guide for foreigners appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Read on:

“It’s funny,” another foreign friend commented to me last week. “There doesn’t seem to be any formal way of asking someone out on a date here.”

“Of course there is!” I responded. “You ask if they want to get coffee!”

My friend laughed and rolled his eyes, but I was serious. That really is what people say when they want to get to know you better, romantically or otherwise. If it’s someone that you could potentially have a romantic relationship with, then it’s basically an invitation to a first date. “I bet you didn’t know you were dating so many people right now,” I teased.

Last week I wrote about all the different ways that Mexicans have to say “no,” and plenty of good extensions were added on in the comments. Unfortunately, sometimes the “no” is in response to an invitation you were excited to make.

More so certainly than in my native US, plans in Mexico seem to be fairly informal. This is mostly true for plans with friends, but can extend to other types of events as well. Keep in mind too that it’s common to get dumped because someone’s family has asked them to do something at the same time. Family really is first here, which is tricky if you’re not part of one.

Mexicans, for their part, are much more forgiving when those plans don’t actually get to happen. I and many of my fellow compatriots are visibly irritated when someone “nos queda mal” (doesn’t come through for us). Here, however, they tend to take a, “Well, these things happen,” approach. You couldn’t make it? That’s a shame; next time!

This is one of those few areas in which Mexicans and their North American neighbors aren’t all that compatible. In most ways, as I’ve written before, we’re natural, fast friends. But make a gringo wait around for too long, and they’re not going to be happy. Berate a Mexican for being late, and they’re not going to be happy, either.

Basically, not sticking to one’s word on either side equals trouble in paradise.

So knowing that, how can you make plans that stick?

Basic tips you can use to make friends and actually hang out with them

Go to events where you know people will already be gathered 

Compared to their North American neighbors, Mexicans are still quite community-minded. This means that community events and parties are already planned and out there, just waiting to be joined! If you have kids in school, this is easy to achieve: simply show up to the school events!

Take in-person classes locally 

I don’t know if my particular city is special in this regard, but it seems there are countless courses to be had. The jarana (a string instrument used in Son Jarocho) is a popular instrument to learn, and lots of Mexicans and foreigners alike take classes to learn it. I myself would love to learn the harp! In general, music classes are a good choice since you can learn quite a lot even if your Spanish isn’t perfect.

There are also ceramics and pottery classes, something I’m hoping to get into soon — really, all kinds of art classes abound! And if your Spanish is fairly good, a nice literature class could be very enriching.

Find out what clubs there are in your area, and join one!

Again, civic life seems stronger in Mexico…everyone spending all their time on phones hasn’t quite taken over yet. You might find a book club, a sports club, or even go to classes at a gym — that counts!

Hang around afterwards

Spontaneous things happen after events and classes like they do everywhere. If others are going to a café or bar afterwards and you’re around when they plan it, you’ll most likely be invited. Don’t be shy! Remember, most people here are open, friendly, and genuinely curious and generous. Take those same attitudes, and the sky’s the limit.

From lighter friendships, deeper connections can happen. And once they do, you can freely say, “Seriously, though. Are you really coming?”

Happy hanging-out time, everyone! 

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/

The post Here’s how to get Mexicans to hang out with you appeared first on Mexico News Daily

That said, all stereotypes have to come from somewhere, don’t they? But like everything in life, there’s nuance to it.

Just like people all over the world, there’s room for a great deal of variety. Some people are always on time, and some people never are. Most people are punctual for certain activities, and unpunctual for others.

My dad, for instance, has never been punctual; I remember my mother saying she was terrified he wouldn’t make it to their wedding on time. My ex-husband also has challenges with punctuality, as does one of my best friends; I’ve spent great chunks of my adult life waiting hours.

I’m always super duper on time for everything, though might let myself get to a party up to an hour late. My kid is leaning unpunctual, but I’m doing my damndest to lecture it out of her. Because if there’s one thing kids love and respond to, it’s a good lecture.

One of the problems about even defining “late” is the language around defining time. For a deep dive into this, check out Joseph Sorrentino’s excellent piece on this specific type of vocabulary. “Ahorita,” “al ratito,” “mañana.” None of these words specify an actual time, you see? So “ahorita” could mean right this minute, and it could mean in five hours, or never. “Al ratito” (in a while) might mean in a couple of hours, or it might mean in a few years, depending on who’s saying it. You get the idea.

And really, this kind of language is useful because it allows for flexibility. In this way at least, Mexico is a flexible country.

Really, it has to be. Things come up that need tending. Public transportation can be unpredictable. The opportunity to have a meal or talk to a pretty girl might come up. Your mom tells you to go fetch some things from the store, and you don’t tell your mom, “Sorry, I have plans.” Really, you just never know what can happen!

Life is unpredictable, and Mexicans have a fairly high tolerance for it being unpredictable, which is lucky for all of us.

Sometimes, though, there are things you must be on time for. And a good indicator for what those things are is whether or not there’s a specific time attached to them.

School is one of those things. At my daughter’s school, for example, 8:00 a.m. is the official time kids have to be in the door. As a courtesy to the perpetually-late parents, there’s a “tolerance” of 10 minutes. To me, this means my daughter must be there before 8:00 if we’re not to be seen as rude and irresponsible. To others, it means 8:10 or even 8:11 is the limit. If kids aren’t in by that time, they must wait to enter the 9:00 a.m. class.

It was like this when I taught school here, too; some things, I suppose are non-negotiable.

The same goes for official appointment times, even if the official or doctor you’re meeting isn’t exactly on time. So if you have a meeting with, say, immigration, you’d better be there at your appointment time! Some places will let you know that they have a “tolerancia” (literally, tolerance) of 10-15 minutes. This means that if you’re more than that amount of time late, you lose the appointment!

For other things, usually involving celebrations, arrival and start times are more flexible. This is especially true of parties, to which you can show up rather late without causing a fuss. Unless you’ve promised to bring something essential for the party, they’re just glad to have you there at some point. This doesn’t mean they’ll wait for you to start in on the cake and piñatas, though, so beware!

Concerts and plays typically start within 15-30 minutes of their “official” start time; rock concerts might start hours after they’re meant to. Oh, well!

And if you’re meeting friends, it might depend on the specific circumstances. Are you meeting someone busy who only has a few minutes? Are you meeting them alone? In my group of mom friends, we always know that things can come up. “I’ll text you when I leave” is a good, flexible bridge that keeps people updated but plans flexible.

In my own conservative and somewhat strict view, being on time means showing respect for the other person. If you are not on time, then you do not care about them or their time. And if you are on time, not only are you showing respect for them, but you’re making things easier for yourself, avoiding fluster. My cultural chauvinism is showing, I know.

But for plenty of people here, that’s a ridiculous notion. Why stress so much about being on time when literally anything can happen to make you not on time? Perhaps there’s a message here too about avoiding blame and responsibility. “Se me durmió el gallo” (“the rooster went to sleep on me,” as in, the rooster didn’t wake me up).

But that’s for another article. For now, I’ll leave you with a cute little proverb, as well as its juxtaposed, more truthful meme:

“Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.” (The one who rises early receives God’s help.) It rhymes!

“Al que madruga, encuentra todo cerrado.” (The one who rises early finds everything closed.)

Truer words were never spoken.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/ 

The post Are Mexicans really always late? appeared first on Mexico News Daily

There are actually plenty of things you can buy without even leaving your house! I hear a man selling tortillas and masa (cornmeal dough) on my street daily, and I can get garrafones of water delivered, too. Private services offer to cart my trash away. Other services are provided even though I haven’t asked for them, like the neighborhood’s self-appointed “security guard”.

Put simply, it’s fairly easy to get what you need here. Not everything is super simple, but lots of things, surprisingly, are.

But as we all know, enormous tariffs from the US could ensure that Mexico begins facing quite a bit of pain. After all, world trade only works if all parties agree to the same terms. It’s hard to say what will happen at this point, but a good general rule of thumb is that the more a country can produce for itself, the less vulnerable it is to economic exposure during political shifts.

All worries aside, I still find myself wishing that Mexico had certain other products or services. I’m not much of a business person myself, but hey! Other people are. Perhaps I can entice someone?

Following is a short list of businesses I wish people would start in Mexico.

New businesses to start in Mexico: a miscellaneous (and imprecise) wishlist

Scented candles 

I know this one may seem a little silly to you. But I am really into good quality scented candles, and they are hard to come by! I’m not encouraging anyone to steal the Yankee Candle recipes; I’m just saying I wouldn’t be mad if they did, and made them in Mexico for the local market.

The homemade candles I’ve come across are okay, but I have yet to be wowed. The first place to come out with strong-smelling pumpkin candles for the fall and pine for the winter will have my loyalty forever.

Real tea

This one was suggested by our British editor: real tea. Yes, Mexico is a coffee-drinking place. But for “real” tea drinkers like the British or those colonized by the British, our cute little “herbal infusions” just aren’t going to cut it. PG Tips and Yorkshire were mentioned. Surely there’s a good way to import the stuff! [Editors note: If you make this happen I’ll give you a raise]

I’m a hardcore coffee drinker myself, but I can still have sympathy. What if you went somewhere and Nescafé made up the entirety of the offerings?

Really nice textiles 

Curtains, tablecloths, sheets, blankets…we need more variety! And it’s not that Mexico doesn’t already produce textiles; they do. But it would be nice to see the country’s cotton farming industry take off again in a way that would let us produce really nice textiles. I mean, you can get sheets and curtains here, but the material is usually pretty, well, threadbare. We could be making 100% cotton 600 thread count sheets instead of importing them, people! And paired with the beautiful designs to be found around here, I’d think the sky’s the limit.

Same-day delivery from big box stores (like Costco and Sams)

This might seem a little silly, but it’s always struck me as odd that grocery stores have had this option since the COVID-19 pandemic, but these stores don’t! I’ve long suspected it’s simply snobbery, but I’m sure logistics has something to do with it, too.

Still, if you have some basics that you need all the time (for me, it’s the boxes of milk!), it would be awesome to not have to schlep over there.

Products to combat mold and humidity

Honestly, I’m thinking of entire stores just dedicated to this.

If Pinterest ads and YouTube Mexican dad videos are to be believed, there are solutions! And even in dry areas like Querétaro, I’ve rarely lived in places that weren’t affected by humidity. Part of the issue is that buildings are made from concrete, and concrete is porous.

The dreaded salitre (the white powder that appears on walls). Paint sloughing off the damp walls. Moldy shoes in the closet. I would pay such good money to find a consistent and effective solution to these issues!

Climate-based architecture

Along the same lines, a construction company that focused on creating residencies and buildings based on the local climate could really make a difference. Why are houses in humid Xalapa and dry Querétaro built the same way?

Our weather is going to get more extreme, not less. Weather and climate are things we’re going to need to take into consideration as we continue building. Is one’s area hurricane-prone? Round constructions. Vulnerable to earthquakes? Ask Mexico City how they build now! Susceptible to drought? We need some safe water storage!

Water-catchment systems

Speaking of water, it would be great to have more makers and installers of water catchment systems! There are a few already, but they’re simply not big enough to cover the entire country. President Sheinbaum’s plans are good, but it’s going to take even more. Projects like Isla Urbana help ensure that homes have their own water. Wouldn’t it be something if all homes were outfitted with systems like this?

So that’s my list. Some of the things on it are a bit frivolous, and others, more serious and consequential. What ideas might you add?

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/ 

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It’s like I never learn.

What’s something else that gives us away as North Americans? We stand in line, and we expect others to stand in line, too. We also expect to be noticed and rewarded for our good standing-in-line behavior. Order, foolishly for me, is the expectation. But it’s not necessarily a fair one.

Back to Sanborns. Admittedly, I was pre-irritated. I’d taken my daughter and her extremely hyper, scream-y best friend to the mall for video arcade and movie theater fun, and they were wearing on my nerves. When a woman stepped directly in front of me and proceeded to be helped, I piped up.

“Excuse me, where is the actual line here?”

“Oh, we’re getting to people as they come.”

“But how do you know who’s come first? Where should I stand to make it clear?”

At this point, the woman who’d stepped in front of me stepped aside and said, “Oh, I’m sorry, were you waiting on her?”

I thanked her, happy she understood and feeling a little sheepish about my visible bad mood. I was finally able to buy the face cream I’d been clutching, and we went on our way.

If you’ve been in Mexico any amount of time, you’ve surely noticed that there are different rules when it comes to waiting one’s turn. The rule is mainly that the rules are not strictly observed. Those serving people say, at a counter, will typically help whoever has put themself in front of them and begun speaking.

If you need to be helped, this is a tough country to be shy in. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil”, so sometimes you’ve got to start squeaking!

The correct way to stand in line in Mexico

Fortunately, there are polite ways to “squeak”. Let’s start with pharmacies and consultorios (doctor offices), though it can work anywhere with a reception area. When there’s a counter or a reception desk, simply make eye contact with someone on the other side and say “buenos días” (or tardes or noches, depending). This is what I should have done at Sanborns, by the way.

Anyway! You’ve made contact and let them know you’re there. If they look at you expectantly, that’s your cue to start asking for what you want. Once they know, they can either help you or give you instructions to be helped. Easy!

For longer lines, especially when it comes to dreaded trámites, things can get a little more complicated. At both my local immigration and Hacienda offices, for example, lines are visible. However, getting in back of them right away is not the best move, and could waste a lot of your time. 

If you have an appointment especially, but even if you just want information, find the security guard. Not only are they helping to keep order, but they let you know where to go and what to do. They’re often the first line of defense for information-giving, so let them be your first stop!

At my immigration office, for example, they direct me to sign a book and write down the purpose of going; only then do I get in line. At Hacienda, the guard will direct you to which line you need to stand in, or where to go and simply sit down to wait.

Do’s and don’ts in customer service offices

At banks and other customer service-oriented offices, there might be a number system. This means you’ll be given, often by a machine that’s sometimes human-assisted, a number that will be called, similar to when you dine in for fast food. When your number is called, it’s your turn! If you think you missed it, though, be sure to ask someone who works there; they can usually help.

The general rule is this: the longer the line and the more impatient the people in it, the less likely it is there will be “cutters”. But if the line is short and there’s a counter-type situation, people are liable to butt in if they can. And if you think that’s bad, just look at people’s behavior in heavy traffic, which is where the above rule does not apply at all: cutters driving cars are rampant, especially when they’re impatient.

Finally, don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself. Some people really are oblivious and in a hurry and just don’t notice others. “Disculpe, estamos formados” (Excuse me, we’re in line) will usually work. Sometimes it won’t, and you can choose whether or not you want to start a fight about it. When you yourself are unsure about the existence of a line — this often happens in bathrooms — simply ask, “¿Están formados?” (Are you in line?)

So remember: squeak with the best of them, and ask for help when you need it. Just don’t cut in line; we’ve got a reputation to keep up!

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/

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The pastorela is a little different depending on who performs it and who decides on its specifics that particular year. School and church groups alike perform them, as well as some civic organizations. These plays often include music, and are always funny, sometimes slapstick. Though the structure and characters can vary, the overarching story is roughly the same. A group of shepherds follows the Bethlehem star in search of the baby Jesus. Along the way, devils or demons try to tempt and distract them. Angels also help them (usually an archangel), and eventually they succeed in making it to the manger in Bethlehem.

The following is a short version of the pastorela story in English.

Pastorela, a la gringa

“Hurry up, Bato! We’re going to be late!”

“Relax, it’s a star! It’s not going anywhere,” Bato shouted back as he ambled over the rocks.

“Well, I’d at least like to get there before the kid’s a toddler!” retorted Gila, who was tired and hoping to find a nice place to camp for the night. Of everyone, she was the most excited about seeing the baby Jesus whose announced birth had spread through the land like wildfire. If even kings were going to see him, he must really be something!

The rest of the party — there were five others in this group of shepherds — chuckled at their antagonistic banter.

Juan, always the peacemaker, piped in. “It’s getting dark quickly and I’ve got some good coffee in my bag for us to share. I noticed a clearing from the hill about 15 minutes up the road. We can camp there for the night.”

The group agreed, and soon they were settled around the campfire, each with a warm drink between their hands.

As they were chatting and drinking, a rustling began in the bushes behind them. They turned around, and saw 5 scrawny devils pop out. They all jumped, startled.

“Fear not, humans!” Lucifer, the leader, said. “We have come to hurt—”

Another devil poked him in the rib.

“Um, I mean, we have come to help — yes, help you reach Bethlehem! You must be so tired and hungry; luckily for you all, we have some food for you!”

Another devil rolled out a grill and started a fire as another pulled some carnitas and tortillas out of a bag. “Smells good, right?” said the grilling devil.

The shepherds eyed each other nervously, but eventually were overcome by the delicious smell coming from the grill. Juan tried to stop the others: “Friends, don’t eat this food! Do you really think devils are interested in helping us get to Bethlehem?”

But the shepherds were hungry, and the food smelled too good to resist. They lined up and filled their plates as another devil brought out several caguamas. “Now it’s a proper feast!” she said.

The shepherds ate and ate and ate, and drank and drank and drank, until they felt as if their stomachs would burst open. “Wouldn’t you like to rest now?” one of the devils said as he spread out some woven mats. “We’ve got just the place for you.”

The shepherds nodded gratefully and lay down on the mats, where they quickly fell asleep. Only Juan remained awake and he looked worriedly around at his companions. The devils high-fived each other and went back behind the bush, where they schemed about other ways they might stall the shepherds.

As they snickered, Juan got on his knees to pray. “Dear God, please forgive us of our sins of gluttony and sloth and guide us on our way to meet the baby Jesus.”

Suddenly, a light even brighter than the star appeared in the night sky, and the archangel Michael appeared as it faded.

“Awake, dear shepherds, and heed my words! The true son of God awaits you, and you will call him King. Up now, and away!”

The devils, peaking from behind the bush, shushed each other when they heard his booming voice. “And you!” barked Michael as they all jumped in fright. “Time to scram.”

The devils ran away as fast as they could.

“Juan, bring the coffee here,” Michael said. When he brought the pot, Juan touched the coffee with his hand. It glowed. “This will help the others to wake up. Give it to them, and follow the star. You’re almost there!”

Juan did as he was told, and soon he and the others were back on their way.

The next night, the shepherds finally arrived to their destination. They found both peasants and kings gathered around a manger on the cold night.

The shepherds drew closer where they finally saw the baby Jesus, fast asleep in his mother’s arms. They were immediately filled with a sense of peace and happiness, and sat around the manger knowing they would follow this holy child for the rest of their days.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com

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But what one sees as polite omission, another might take as flat-out lying. Being polite while also communicating what you mean can be a tricky balancing act, it’s true. And for those of us from more direct cultures, it’s downright opaque. Why would someone just not say what they mean?

Nothing is as simple as it seems, I suppose. Still, there are plenty of recognizable broad strokes we can examine here.

A lesson in keeping the negative to yourself

An impressive example of this tendency came years ago when I lived in Querétaro. I’d been working at a language school then — the kind that says they’ll help with immigration papers but never do. It was someone’s birthday, and teachers and students alike all went out to a bar to celebrate. It was a good time!

The next day, the director of the school told us teachers that one of the students wouldn’t be coming to class that day; there’d been an issue with his car. What was the issue? Someone had broken into it and stolen his car radio and CD player!

And when had this happened? It wasn’t when we were inside the bar, no. It happened at the school before we all left. He’d given some of us a ride, even, and had said nothing about his missing equipment.

It’s been almost 20 years, and I’m still shocked he kept that in.

He didn’t want to say anything about it because he didn’t want to ruin the evening before it had even begun. I myself would have been physically incapable of not saying anything. Just, wow.

Now that I’ve been here a while longer, I’ve seen more examples. People simply seem loath to talk about things that will make people gloomy. What for? We can get sad all on our own, after all.

So the first rule of communication, then, is to not disappoint. That is, of course, if you want the person you’re talking to to feel good. I’d personally rather be momentarily disappointed than later be sitting around like a dummy waiting for someone who’s not going to show, but that’s on me, I guess.

So knowing that “no” is a “no-no word” here, how might you decipher what people mean when they give you an answer?

Words that actually mean ‘no’: an anthology for foreigners

Well, that’s just what I’m here to help you with! Below is a list of “actually, that might mean ‘no'” words and phrases.

“Gracias” 

This one is tricky. I sometimes have to stop myself from pedantically saying, “Um, that’s not one of the options for a yes or no question.” I can tell you from experience that challenging someone’s politeness in this way makes you look like an ass.

The way I’ve personally gotten around this is to pause comically and ask, “¿Gracias ‘sí,’ o gracias ‘no’?” That will usually get a grin and an actual answer, which, by the way, is almost always “Gracias, no.”Remember that you can use it, too! It’s especially helpful when you’re wandering through a market and merchants are offering their wares. It also usually works if the “market” is coming to you in the form of individual sellers! An emphatic “muchas gracias” will usually transmit the idea that, while you are very grateful for the offer, you will not be purchasing a bottle of perfume on that particular day.

“A lo mejor sí” 

“A lo mejor” is a phrase that means “probably” or “likely.” It’s important to note, then, that all interpretations leave some wiggle room for it maybe not working out. If it doesn’t actually work out, well, they haven’t lied! There was always a chance.

This is, to me, one of the more dismissive ways to say no, a kind of “uh-huh, sure” version. In Mexico, this kind of dismissive “doing what you can to leave the conversation already” is called “dar el avión” (to… give the plane?). And when you “das el avión,” it’s often detectable. There are two likely outcomes of this, then. One is that the other person sighs, gives up, and goes on their way. Another is that they get frustrated: “¡No me des el avión!” If that happens, you’d better think of a better, more convincing way to say “no.”

“Déjame ver/checar” 

This one is similar to “a lo mejor sí” in that it’s very likely to be an actual “no.” It means “Let me see” and “Let me check.” Spoiler alert: they will likely conclude, and may or may not tell you, that the result of the seeing/checking was negative.

“Ahorita” 

This is one that my kid uses on me all the time, and it drives me crazy. We speak in English together, so her version is “in a minute.” “Ahorita” could be when someone will definitely do something right then. Or it could mean anywhere from right that moment to when hell freezes over.

In my experience it’s typically the latter, or alternatively, after the person’s finally been worn down from enough nagging about it. So beware, people. If you’re hearing “ahorita” from your partner frequently and it’s not turning out to be “right now for real” kind, there will probably be some frustration in your future.

“Estamos en contacto”

This one is kind of fun because it sounds so official and business-like. “We’ll be in touch.” Oh, will we? Most people don’t intend for this to be a lie, it’s just nicer to say than, “We may never see each other again, I don’t know, but you’re pleasant enough.”

Alas, this is a short list. I’ve got a word limit! But I’d love to hear more examples of “This is what they actually meant” in the comments. Consider this your official call for stories!

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com

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