As an American living in Mexico, I constantly get asked questions and I am bombarded with stereotypical comments. I would like to explain some of these and hopefully squash some of the stereotypical images people have about Mexicans and Mexico.


All Mexicans are poor. This is simply not true. The Mexican economy ranks 13 in the WORLD. Yes, the world. Also, the richest man in the face of the earth is a Mexican. True, there is some poverty in Mexico, as there is poverty in every country. However there are also nice shopping malls, grocery stores and a number of other modern comforts here.

Friends actually think I take a chicken bus to the market and haggle prices for vegetables with farmers, when I actually go to a very nice grocery store. I recently had friends come to visit who told me they didn’t bring any of their new or designer clothing because they didn’t want to be a target for robbery. They ended up being the worst dressed people at restaurants on their vacation. I just had to laugh.

Remittances from Mexicans living in the United States comprise the second largest portion of the Mexican economy. Also laughable. Remittances or contributions sent by Mexicans living abroad to their families in Mexico are no doubt a substantial part of the economy, but in no way is it number two. Mexico’s economy before remittances lie oil, manufactured goods, electronics, automobiles, industrial exports, heavy industry, construction, food, and financial services. Mexico is not just a country full of poor people waiting for family members to send money; it is a country comprised of regular people like doctors, lawyers, engineers, factory workers and anything else you can imagine.

Mexico is dangerous. While there are parts of the country that can be dangerous, the majority of the country has a crime rate lower than the US average. One usually would not think twice about sending their child on a school trip to Washington DC, however statistics show that the murder rate in Washington DC is nearly four times as high as Mexico City. In reality, not visiting Cancun due to violence along the border is like not visiting Vegas because of violence happening in New York City.

I hope this article has been an eye opener for at least a few people. Mexico is a wonderful country with amazing culture and kind people. I know that once you visit you will think the same. I invite you to please post your Mexican stereotypes below!