By Lindy C

As an American living in Mexico, I constantly get asked questions and 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 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!

I live in Mexico also , the more we tell others about it ,the more it changes because these people find it it a great place then move there and change it into a location more like the USA. lets keep them at home and leave Mexico for us.

Soy una persona mayor residente de M?rida, Yucat?n, de toda la vida. Salgo de noche a caminar, me muevo por diferentes partes de la ciudad, con absoluta confianza, voy al mercado de la comunidad y me siento perfectamente segura de realizar mis actividades. Pero ACONSEJO a cualquier persona que viaje, como una servidora lo hace continuamente,siempre guardar las debidas precauciones de auto-cuidado; ll?mese:M?xico, E.U.de A., Europa, Africa o tu propia comunidad. Y como su nombre lo dice hay que ser sabio, y no confiado y documentarse mas a cerca de las diferentes precauciones que debemos de guardar,cuando estamos en la calle,de viaje en la lejan?a o de compras muy cerca de nuestro hogar. Aseguro con toda certeza, que M?rida la de Yucat?n, M?xico, es un lugar precioso, con su gente amable, con una gastronom?a exquisita, un folklor ( bailables y vestuario)) inigualable, una seguridad mayor que en muchas ciudades de los E.U. de A. y de otros pa?ses. Venga a visitar nuestro hermoso y tranquilo estado. Se llevar? una hermosa y agradable sorpresa,con gente tan amable como la de "LA BLANCA M?RIDA".

Good points all and hooray for posting them. Merida is safe for the time being and while it is not perfect, it is a decent place to live with friendly people, lots of food options and wonderful historic points of interest. The biggest security issue currently involves politics but if you are a good gringo and don't voice your opinions you will be fine.

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