Mexican customs and taboos

The United States of Mexico (Spanish: Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), referred to as Mexico, is a federal republic in North America. It borders the United States in the north, borders the Pacific Ocean on the south and west, Belize, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea in the southeast, and the Gulf of Mexico in the east. With an area of nearly 2 million square kilometers (more than 760,000 square miles), it is the fifth largest country in the Americas and the fourteenth largest country in the world. Its total population exceeds 120 million, making it the 11th most populous country in the world. Mexico is a federal state, including thirty-two states; its capital and largest city, Mexico City, is also a state. The official language is Spanish, making it the most populous country in the Spanish-speaking world and the second most populous country in Latin America. In addition, there are 360 American Indian languages, and the first foreign language is English, but the proportion of the population who can speak English is low.

Mexico is a free market economy with economic strength ranking fourth in the Americas and 13th in the world. It has modern industry and agriculture, and the proportion of the private economy is also increasing significantly. After the official establishment of the North American Free Trade Area in 1994, trade and investment exchanges between Mexico and the United States increased rapidly, greatly promoting economic development and the increase of national income.

Mexico is one of the centers of ancient Indian civilization on the American continent. The world-famous Olmec culture, Toltec culture, Teotihuacan culture, Zapotec culture, Maya culture and Aztec culture were all created by the ancient Mexican Indians. The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, built north of Mexico City before BC, are representatives of this splendid ancient culture. The ancient city of Teotihuacan, where the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon are located, has been declared a common heritage of mankind by UNESCO.

The ancient Indians of Mexico cultivated corn, so Mexico is known as the "hometown of corn." In different historical periods, Mexico has also won the reputation of "The Country of Cactus","Silver Kingdom", and "A Country Floating on the Sea of Oil".

Mexico is the birthplace of many ancient Indian civilizations such as Olmec, Maya, Tortec and Aztec. Culture mixes traditions and customs left over from different historical periods. Mexicans are cheerful by nature, friendly, generous, easy-going, and easy to get along with.

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is located in Mexico, and acquaintances usually greet each other with hugs and kisses on the cheek when meeting. On grand social occasions, men will kiss the ladies gently and gracefully. When foreigners meet and interact with Mexicans for the first time, smiling and shaking hands are the most common greetings, and the address is to add honoriums such as "sir","miss" or "madam" before the last name of the person they are communicating with. When Mexico calls each other, it is customary to add "doctor","master","teacher" or his position before the surname to show respect. Mexicans are usually fifteen to half an hour late for appointments and are regarded as a show of respect for the host. But with the popularization of modern fast-paced lifestyles, the number of Mexicans who go to business and private events on time is increasing.

Mexicans generally attach great importance to dressing outside, and their costumes are both modern and ethnic. In traditional festivals, you can see polite men wearing straw hats, various ethnic costumes, and mustaches, and charming ladies wearing brightly colored, beautifully embroidered long dresses and flowers everywhere. For formal occasions, Mexicans dress solemnly, wearing suits or skirts.

Mexican cuisine is rich and diverse, gathering world cuisine. Mexico is the hometown of corn, and local people have a deep affection for corn. Over the past 5000 years, corn has grown from an unknown wild millet to the world's third largest source of food, which is inseparable from the hard work and wisdom of Mexicans. The Mexicans also created the Mayan and Aztec civilizations while growing corn. Mexicans often say: "It created corn, and corn also created us. We are corn people." The traditional foods of Mexicans are corn (corn feast), kidney beans and peppers. Tortillas ("Tortia") and peppers are world-famous.

Mexicans like to eat peppers, and even if they eat fruits, they will sprinkle them with chili powder. The cactus abundant in Mexico is both a delicious fruit and a delicious vegetable. Insects such as agave worms, grasshoppers and ant eggs are also popular foods among Mexicans. There are many food stalls on the streets of Mexico selling tortillas and fruits. For hygiene reasons, it is recommended to eat them carefully.

Mexico's culture, like its architecture, is a mixture of traces left by different historical periods. As the birthplace of ancient Indian culture, ancient civilizations such as Olmec, Maya, Tortec and Aztec all originated here; Spanish colonial rule from the early 16th century to the early 19th century inevitably branded Spanish culture on the soil of Mexico. Mariachi music and Sabateo dance, which perfectly combine the characteristics of Indian music and Spanish music, are image expressions of Mexican mixed-race culture.

Mexicans eat "wishing grapes" to welcome the New Year, and people around the world say goodbye to the old and welcome the new with their own unique customs. In Mexico, people celebrate the New Year with "wishing grapes". Grapes are a must-have food for every Mexican family at the end of the year. Every time the bell rings to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, people eat a "wish grape". A total of 12 grains are eaten. Each grain they eat makes a wish, seeking "peace","happiness","health" and "wealth", and praying that every month of the new year will be auspicious from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.

"Halabe" is the most representative folk dance in Mexico. Men wear traditional national costumes and wide-brimmed hats, passionate and focused, chasing their female companions; women wear wide, fat and colorful earthen dresses, pretending to be shy, gracefully avoiding, and from time to time use the skirt to throw out various flower-shaped patterns.

In addition to being influenced by Catholicism, the living customs of Mexicans also retain their unique traditional colors. Mexican businessmen are quite utilitarian, realistic and careful. Although many people speak English, he would like you to speak Spanish.

If you receive a letter in Spanish and you reply in another language, this will be considered quite rude in Mexico. Mexicans believe that purple is an unlucky coffin color and should be avoided.

As a result, a big taboo has evolved-sending gifts to Mexicans cannot be given purple items or gifts wrapped in purple.

Wearing purple clothes when visiting others or swaggering around the city is also unpopular. In Mexico, yellow flowers represent death and red flowers represent charms. Be aware during business events that smiling and shaking hands are their way of greeting in Mexico. Men must never kiss the cheek or hand of a very unfamiliar lady. Although everyone kisses and hugs, this habit is used among acquaintances.

Mexicans think bats are a kind of vampire, so they avoid their patterns. They also avoid 13 and Fridays.