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Buenos días, señor. Treating people with respect is the social lubricant in Mexico.Mar 04 '01 (Updated Feb 10 '03) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Try to revive your social graces when you go to Mexico. Formality, especially in greetings, is a powerful social lubricant. Americans consumers are accustomed to getting their commercial transactions done in a hurry and with a minimum of social interaction. We walk up to a clerk at Starbucks, smile, and say "a grande non-fat latte, please." The only other interchange we're likely to hear is the price and "have a nice day." Most Mexicans consider this barbaric. First, a smile itself is very ambiguous. Does it signify friendliness, happiness, discomfort, disguised contempt, or something else? Second, most Mexican workers regard themselves as social beings first and workers second. Thus, the rules of normal social interaction apply even in work situations. As an American, you will find all your interactions with Mexicans much improved if you simply greet all strangers formally. That means hotel clerks, taxi drivers, waiters, street vendors, everyone. Start with one of the following: Buenos días, señor. (Good day, sir.) Buenas tardes, señora. (Good afternoon, ma'am.) Buenas noches, señorita. (Good evening/night, miss.) You will often hear your greeting echoed, followed by the question, ¿En que puedo servirle? (How may I help you?) If you've learned just a little Spanish, you'll be tempted to answer with a sentence beginning with Quiero... (I want...) This is a bit too direct by Mexican standards, and thus not entirely polite. To express a want, it's better to use Quisiera... (I would want/like...) or even to ask ¿Podría... ? (Would I be able/allowed to... ?) For example, Quisiera huevos revueltos. (I would want/like scrambled eggs.) ¿Podría usar el teléfono? (Would I be able/allowed to use the telephone?) Putting some effort into learning Spanish pronunciation is also worthwhile, and it's fairly easy because there's only one Spanish sound English speakers don't already use: the rolled r. Furthermore, there are no surprises in pronouncing written Spanish once you learn an amazingly short list of rules. I highly recommend watching episodes of Destinos, the instructional video series that often appears on PBS stations.  |
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by artemis8
by knotheadusc
