Comments for Viva Veracruz & Viva Puerto Escondido http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog Musings from and about living in Mexico Thu, 17 May 2012 17:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Cart Courtliness by John Calypso http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3575&cpage=1#comment-1000387 John Calypso Thu, 17 May 2012 17:48:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3575#comment-1000387  Points well taken. "excellent blog Diary of a 3rd World Shopkeeper?" I do remember - he had a shop in Tampico and had a lot to say about his clients.  He is an Englishman om Tampico - He used the name of a character in Ayn Rands "Atlas Shrugged" I think.  Points well taken.

“excellent blog Diary of a 3rd World Shopkeeper?”

I do remember – he had a shop in Tampico and had a lot to say about his clients.  He is an Englishman om Tampico – He used the name of a character in Ayn Rands “Atlas Shrugged” I think.

]]> Comment on Cart Courtliness by Theresa in Mérida http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3575&cpage=1#comment-1000386 Theresa in Mérida Thu, 17 May 2012 14:12:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3575#comment-1000386 It's the flip side of "La Familia es todo", if you don't know the person you don't have to be nice. Remember the excellent blog Diary of a 3rd World Shopkeeper? He had some very pithy comments about rudeness in Mexico.  When you are dealing with people one on one, politeness rules, but in anonymous situations, fogetaboutit! When someone steps in front of me at a counter, I just usually ignore them and either reach over them (with my superior height of 5'2" it is easy) or just act like they are not there. It is what they would do.  Mexican culture is very much about appearances, another thing they inherited from Spain. It's also a bit passive aggressive. However, it is what it is, and I just go along with the flow whether it's saying con permiso as I walk past someone or smiling as I tap the person who cut in front of me and politely pointing out the end of the line. Hay cola. Often they are startled that I speak Spanish and yieldHaving spent a majority of my working life in retail, I can tell you that interrupting sales staff conversations with other customers is a very very common experience. I once sold fine jewelry,and often while a young couple would be picking out their wedding rings someone would barge up and demand (not ask but demand) "where is your underwear!" very romantic.... regards, Theresa It’s the flip side of “La Familia es todo”, if you don’t know the person you don’t have to be nice. Remember the excellent blog Diary of a 3rd World Shopkeeper? He had some very pithy comments about rudeness in Mexico.

 When you are dealing with people one on one, politeness rules, but in anonymous situations, fogetaboutit! When someone steps in front of me at a counter, I just usually ignore them and either reach over them (with my superior height of 5’2″ it is easy) or just act like they are not there. It is what they would do. 

Mexican culture is very much about appearances, another thing they inherited from Spain. It’s also a bit passive aggressive. However, it is what it is, and I just go along with the flow whether it’s saying con permiso as I walk past someone or smiling as I tap the person who cut in front of me and politely pointing out the end of the line. Hay cola. Often they are startled that I speak Spanish and yieldHaving spent a majority of my working life in retail, I can tell you that interrupting sales staff conversations with other customers is a very very common experience. I once sold fine jewelry,and often while a young couple would be picking out their wedding rings someone would barge up and demand (not ask but demand) “where is your underwear!” very romantic….

regards,
Theresa

]]> Comment on It is Debatable by Andean http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3580&cpage=1#comment-1000385 Andean Mon, 14 May 2012 22:46:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3580#comment-1000385 Sometimes why's have no objections... maybe a simple question as to a culture or whatever they're not familiar with...... Sometimes why’s have no objections… maybe a simple question as to a culture or whatever they’re not familiar with……

]]> Comment on Cruise Azul Update by Frostiinmexico http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591&cpage=1#comment-1000384 Frostiinmexico Mon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591#comment-1000384 That is a good looking Suzuki, shopping around to get me one. That is a good looking Suzuki, shopping around to get me one.

]]> Comment on Tribal Affiliation by John Calypso http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3601&cpage=1#comment-1000383 John Calypso Mon, 14 May 2012 03:12:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3601#comment-1000383  I have passed through Matamoras about 20 times in the last 7 years without a problem. Tampico is a speed trap (mordida central). It is pretty much 100% attempt to rob travelers - but we have ignored them for about four years and never been chased down - so that easterly route has been fine for us.  I have passed through Matamoras about 20 times in the last 7 years without a problem. Tampico is a speed trap (mordida central). It is pretty much 100% attempt to rob travelers – but we have ignored them for about four years and never been chased down – so that easterly route has been fine for us.

]]> Comment on Tribal Affiliation by Kim G http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3601&cpage=1#comment-1000382 Kim G Mon, 14 May 2012 00:49:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3601#comment-1000382 Even though I've travelled all over Mexico by car and bus, I'd be a bit nervous about that route down along Mexico's Gulf Coast, particularly that bit just across the border. Isn't that area a bit on the "lively" side? Saludos, Kim G Boston, MA <i>Where we hope their trip goes without incident.</i> Even though I’ve travelled all over Mexico by car and bus, I’d be a bit nervous about that route down along Mexico’s Gulf Coast, particularly that bit just across the border. Isn’t that area a bit on the “lively” side?

Saludos,

Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we hope their trip goes without incident.

]]> Comment on Cruise Azul Update by John Calypso http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591&cpage=1#comment-1000381 John Calypso Fri, 11 May 2012 01:23:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591#comment-1000381  Andean - I do wear a helmet when traveling outside the Colonia or the town of Xico.  In town  I usually do not wear a helmet. Of course safer to wear one - but traveling is very low speed and mostly safe or safer.  Andean – I do wear a helmet when traveling outside the Colonia or the town of Xico.  In town  I usually do not wear a helmet. Of course safer to wear one – but traveling is very low speed and mostly safe or safer.

]]> Comment on Cruise Azul Update by Andean http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591&cpage=1#comment-1000380 Andean Fri, 11 May 2012 01:06:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591#comment-1000380 It's good senora Calypso is wearing a helmut, but you a NYY cap?? It’s good senora Calypso is wearing a helmut, but you a NYY cap??

]]> Comment on Cruise Azul Update by John Calypso http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591&cpage=1#comment-1000379 John Calypso Thu, 10 May 2012 23:07:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591#comment-1000379  Bob - Actually we are on the Atlantic side (well the Gulf) here in Xico - we will return to the Pacific side in October ;-)  Bob – Actually we are on the Atlantic side (well the Gulf) here in Xico – we will return to the Pacific side in October ;-)

]]> Comment on Cruise Azul Update by Bob in exile http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591&cpage=1#comment-1000378 Bob in exile Thu, 10 May 2012 23:03:00 +0000 http://www.vivaveracruz.com/blog/?p=3591#comment-1000378 Hope you´re doing OK on the Pacific side Amigo. Hope you´re doing OK on the Pacific side Amigo.

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