Don’t be ridiculous. Stereotypes are pretty childish. This isn’t even a story about complaining. Let’s say you write with your right hand but then it’s injured and it needs to be cut off. No, it’s not the end of the world, and you try and with success get a little better with writing with your left hand, but sometimes it just is difficult. It’s only difficult because it’s not what you are used to, not because it’s impossible. You complain, sometimes you get frustrated and throw down your pen and swear you cannot do it, but the next day you return to that writing desk with new determination. Eventually you even forget that you used to write with your right hand, using your left hand for everything has become the norm and you don’t know how you ever did things with your right hand before. This is what that story is about. Relocating to a foreign country is a challenge, and I don’t care who you are, we expect certain things from habit, like writing with your right hand, and when those certain things are not available any longer there is a time of frustration, it’s human, not gringo. I have been here a decade and have known Canadians, Americans, Europeans (yes the Dutch), and even Mexicans who complain about Mexico (and their own countries) The story continues that just like learning to write with your left hand, life in Mexico becomes the norm and eventually you are Mexican, just like that right-handed person is now left-handed. He complained, it was frustrating, but in the end he is left-handed, just as in the end I am Mexican. That is the wonderful thing people learn when they allow themselves to get out of their comfort zone.
You might also find the next two columns from the same writer. One is how to come to Mexico and live the life of Mexico without trying to make everything like the USA. And last weeks is about how not to be a jerk on the internet. Both could be of interest to you.
Trina Noakes
Living in Cancun is very similar. We get you…and well-written.
Rob Jordan
Well at least in PV they make an attempt at customer service. Take a trip to Toluca some day for a new twist on that too.
showbob
I thought their were two prices for everything? The Gringo price and the Mexican price.
Justin Loman
I am so glad you decided to write a weekly column for your paper. You are the funniest person I have ever met in my life and your humorous views are a great way for me to start my dreaded Monday mornings. Keep up the great work my friend!
Andre
It’s really not much different than moving from Germany to US like we did 15 years ago. We couldn’t believe people in America are still using checks to pay bills or at the supermarket. They would even mail checks to utility companies and there was no working online banking system available. We couldn’t understand it and we thought we must have moved back in time.
nekiuk
I moved to the US from Holland 20 years ago. Until recently, the US used countless beginning pilots who needed flying hours to move boxes full of paper checks between banks in different states. An amazing system. And then you can write someone a check for a billion dollars! Of course it will bounce, but it is an interesting experience for a European. And don’t get me started on the fraud-prone credit cards… And the credit ratings… And banking fees and myriad ways to legally swindle you out of a pile of money… What a crazy system.
Justin Loman
I think it’s all generational. I am 41 and was born in the USA and left about 11 years ago. When I got my own place, bank account, paid my own bills, etc, even at the age of 18 I was internet banking, paying all my bills online, and screaming at anyone over the age of 30 that was actually still writing checks at the supermarket. In fact, I have never written a check in my life. But people who are just a few years older than me had a much different experience. Also the difference in Mexico is that these simply are not options. 15-20 years ago these were all options in the US it was just embraced by the younger generation while the babyboomers, like my parents, didn’t embrace it that much. Even today my father hardly uses the internet, would never pay for anything online, and probably still writes checks at the grocery story. He just doesn’t trust technology and he wants that paper check to prove he paid something before the Chinese hack all the systems and wipe his data hahahaha
Marcia Blondin
I just finished my first cup of coffee and Ian’s delightful commentary on ex-patriot newbies. After two decades I still get surprised by the odd Mexican-ism but laugh or cry – your choice – and move on. And Vallarta is sooooo much more convenient to live in than it once was. Or perhaps I have become Mexican and don’t notice as much?
Sharebeauty
I have learned patience and to plan ahead as well .
Chris Rhoden
Thanks I needed that! Excellent writing, as well as, what each of us expats truly understand.
Guest
……thanks I needed that. Excellent writing, as well, as the truth all of expats understand.
Why are you in Mexico if it is all such a hassle… typical gringo complaining about every single detail. TYPICAL.
Don’t be ridiculous. Stereotypes are pretty childish. This isn’t even a story about complaining. Let’s say you write with your right hand but then it’s injured and it needs to be cut off. No, it’s not the end of the world, and you try and with success get a little better with writing with your left hand, but sometimes it just is difficult. It’s only difficult because it’s not what you are used to, not because it’s impossible. You complain, sometimes you get frustrated and throw down your pen and swear you cannot do it, but the next day you return to that writing desk with new determination. Eventually you even forget that you used to write with your right hand, using your left hand for everything has become the norm and you don’t know how you ever did things with your right hand before. This is what that story is about. Relocating to a foreign country is a challenge, and I don’t care who you are, we expect certain things from habit, like writing with your right hand, and when those certain things are not available any longer there is a time of frustration, it’s human, not gringo. I have been here a decade and have known Canadians, Americans, Europeans (yes the Dutch), and even Mexicans who complain about Mexico (and their own countries) The story continues that just like learning to write with your left hand, life in Mexico becomes the norm and eventually you are Mexican, just like that right-handed person is now left-handed. He complained, it was frustrating, but in the end he is left-handed, just as in the end I am Mexican. That is the wonderful thing people learn when they allow themselves to get out of their comfort zone.
You might also find the next two columns from the same writer. One is how to come to Mexico and live the life of Mexico without trying to make everything like the USA. And last weeks is about how not to be a jerk on the internet. Both could be of interest to you.
Living in Cancun is very similar. We get you…and well-written.
Well at least in PV they make an attempt at customer service. Take a trip to Toluca some day for a new twist on that too.
I thought their were two prices for everything? The Gringo price and the Mexican price.
I am so glad you decided to write a weekly column for your paper. You are the funniest person I have ever met in my life and your humorous views are a great way for me to start my dreaded Monday mornings. Keep up the great work my friend!
It’s really not much different than moving from Germany to US like we did 15 years ago. We couldn’t believe people in America are still using checks to pay bills or at the supermarket. They would even mail checks to utility companies and there was no working online banking system available. We couldn’t understand it and we thought we must have moved back in time.
I moved to the US from Holland 20 years ago. Until recently, the US used countless beginning pilots who needed flying hours to move boxes full of paper checks between banks in different states. An amazing system. And then you can write someone a check for a billion dollars! Of course it will bounce, but it is an interesting experience for a European. And don’t get me started on the fraud-prone credit cards… And the credit ratings… And banking fees and myriad ways to legally swindle you out of a pile of money… What a crazy system.
I think it’s all generational. I am 41 and was born in the USA and left about 11 years ago. When I got my own place, bank account, paid my own bills, etc, even at the age of 18 I was internet banking, paying all my bills online, and screaming at anyone over the age of 30 that was actually still writing checks at the supermarket. In fact, I have never written a check in my life. But people who are just a few years older than me had a much different experience. Also the difference in Mexico is that these simply are not options. 15-20 years ago these were all options in the US it was just embraced by the younger generation while the babyboomers, like my parents, didn’t embrace it that much. Even today my father hardly uses the internet, would never pay for anything online, and probably still writes checks at the grocery story. He just doesn’t trust technology and he wants that paper check to prove he paid something before the Chinese hack all the systems and wipe his data hahahaha
I just finished my first cup of coffee and Ian’s delightful commentary on ex-patriot newbies. After two decades I still get surprised by the odd Mexican-ism but laugh or cry – your choice – and move on. And Vallarta is sooooo much more convenient to live in than it once was. Or perhaps I have become Mexican and don’t notice as much?
I have learned patience and to plan ahead as well .
Thanks I needed that! Excellent writing, as well as, what each of us expats truly understand.
……thanks I needed that. Excellent writing, as well, as the truth all of expats understand.