Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 14 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 1 month ago by
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There is a growing population of Mexicans in my area, and I was wondering why they aren’t as friendly as any other group of people. If you pass by them, they don’t ever make eye contact to smile or say hello. It’s like if you are not one of their family members you will not be acknowledged. Anyone know why this is? Just curious.
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Name : L. Bryant, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 24, City : Nashville, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,There has also been a large increase of Mexican immigrants in my area lately. Unlike you however, I have noticed they smile as much or more than any White person here. Some call it the ‘immigrant smile’ because it is given somewhat tentatively, almost as though they are acting eager to impress. Of all the groups in my housing project other than Whites, I actually get along with the Mexicans the best. They are loyal and hardworking and definately respectful to everyone else.
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Name : Seamus28265, Gender : M, Age : 23, City : Charlestown, State : MA, Country : United States, Occupation : Construction, Social class : Lower class,Perhaps they only speak Spanish.
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Name : ED25499, Gender : F, Age : 47, City : Kansas City, State : MO, Country : United States,It’s a different set of cultural standards than the Anglo one, and what you consider friendly is considered hostile by many Mexicans who were not born here and don’t know the norms. If two men make eye contact for more than briefly, it can be considered trying to pick a fight. If a man and woman make eye contact, it can be considered flirting or trying to pick someone up. And many Mexican females from the more conservative small towns are taught to never do this. There also may be immigration issues involved. If some of them are illegals, or even if they only have green cards and thus still may be afraid of being mistaken for illegals, they may legitimately fear contact with non-Mexicans. After all, how they avoid being picked up is by making themselves as inconspicuous as possible. That, to them, is more important than your perception of them as unfriendly. Finally, there may be some prejudice involved. There are bigots among Mexicans who don’t like blacks, and there has long been a history of color barriers against darker-skinned people in Mexico – even by people who are just barely a shade lighter.
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Name : ACC25120, Gender : M, Race : Mexican and American Indian, City : Phoenix, State : AZ, Country : United States,If the Mexicans are immigrants from Mexico, it is possible they seem ‘unfriendly’ because they do not yet speak much English. They are not being rude to you, they just don’t know what to say to you.
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Name : Cynthia31780, Gender : F, Race : Asian, Age : 24, City : Toronto, Ontario, State : NA, Country : Canada, Occupation : Graduate Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,I read somewhere once that Mexicans have ‘mastered the art of minding one’s own business.’ That was referring to Mexican nationals, though, not Mexican-Americans (Chicanos). I don’t know how much truth there is to that, but I will assume you mean the latter. I worked in crane factory where there were lots of Mexicans who spoke little English. Due to the language barrier, there was little interaction between us, but they were never rude. I hope you attempted to speak to them yourself before you resorted to asking around, because you bear as much repsonsibilty as they if you have not. Remember, communication works both ways. Perhaps they are wondering the same about their new neighborhood folk?
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Name : Ridley-S29682, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 22, City : Chambersburg, State : PA, Country : United States, Social class : Lower middle class,First, Mexicans belong to a ‘collective’ culture. This means that the entire population around them is a group. Wouldn’t that make them friendly? Actually, no. In collective cultures, because society is a group, there is less of a need to make friends with strangers. Many Asians and most (I repeat, most, not all) Latinos are also collective cultures. Second, concerning eye contact: Among Mexicans and most Latin Americans, eye contact is considered a defiant sign of aggression. When your Mexican neighbors don’t make eye contact, they’re actually treating you with respect (according to their point of view). I’m not Mexican, but I know a few. I’m also a cultural anthropology nut.
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Name : Freddie, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Atheist, Age : 27, City : Queens, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : engineer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,Part of it may be language – if a lot of the people are immigrants, they may not speak English well and may be uncomfortable talking to people, even to say hi. Another factor, especially if they are immigrants, is that if they came from a small town where they knew everyone, then living in a strange city may make them nervous or afraid, so as a way to protect themselves, they try not to interact with strangers too much. Another factor may just be cultural – that they were taught not to talk to or make eye contact with strangers because it could be seen as a sign of aggression.
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Name : Jennifer30883, Gender : F, Age : 28, City : San Jose, State : CA, Country : United States, Social class : Middle class,I have recently started working with Hispanic adults who want to learn English. My students come from all over Latin America, not just from Mexico. Obviously, one of the characteristics most of them share is their inability to communicate successfully in English. Also, the Hispanic minority in the United States is faced with a little bit of a social stigma. This is why they are not eager to smile or converse, for fear they should falsely appear as uncouth or slow. My students tend to naturally stick to people from their own culture. They feel accepted by their peers and they feel they can communicate better with them. It is a natural response to the environment. Although you are a friendly individual whou would welcome the opportunity to be in their company, they have probably had a fair share of unlucky, even brutal experiences with other persons.
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Name : Laura26077, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Orthodox Christian, Age : 26, City : Emporia, State : KS, Country : United States, Occupation : teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,Please understand that in the mexican culture it is considered almost a gesture of respect if they do not make direct eye contact when passing. This may seem odd, however, consider that in our culture it is considered a sign of aggression if you make direct eye contact, stare, or ‘mad dog’ somebody. This could also be answered by looking at the self esteem and confidence of the individual. Most Mexicans are unsure of their environment and who to trust when they migrate here. I am American/Mexican (I prefer it in that order) or otherwise known as ‘Chicano’ and Mexicans (nationals) treat us (Chicanos) the same way. They feel that they have to be true to their Mexican heritage and so therefore cannot concede to the Chicanos…if that makes any sense.
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Name : Ronnie, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Christian, Age : 25, City : Victorville, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Social Services, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,As a Mexican, one is not raised to avoid eye contact. If it’s someone you’ve been seeing around for a while, you normally give them a small, polite smile. I would guess their behavior is a result of the alien situation they find themselves in.
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Name : Miguel, Gender : M, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Catholic, Age : 25, City : Tampico, State : NA, Country : Mexico, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,Actually, they are prejudice. I have lived in Texas, there I found that Mexicans can be very prejudice. Like the originator said, they don’t smile when you say hello. They don’t respond. I have had to shopping carts rammed in to me. Little subtle hints.
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Name : Me21914, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, City : STL, State : MO, Country : United States,I live in an area heavily populated with Mexicans. The vast majority of them always smile and speak. I would say it’s because I am an attractive Black female and from my experience Mexican men love Black women. But I recieve the same responce from males and females alike.
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Name : Ali31373, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Atheist, Age : 23, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United Kingdom, Occupation : Finance, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,So there is alot of racism in the latin culture? Why? That is true living here in Miami, I find many latin people to be biased, and not get along with other ethnic groups. They also have a hostile attitude much like the one described here. Why?!
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Name : Mr. Someone, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Caribbean, Religion : Hindu, Age : 35, City : Orlando, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : sales, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I’ve seen this on the street and figured it was a combination of language and them trying to lie low due to immigration issues. The Mexicans I’ve known personally have been warm and friendly almost to a fault! Be Kind, for everyone is fighting a great battle." -Plato
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Name : AmyM, Gender : Female, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 42, City : Philadelphia, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,
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