Comparing Cultural Differences:
Mexico with Canada
& the United States

Although the three countries that make up North America are physically
close, Mexico is simply a different country than her northern neighbours.
Mexico has a different history and thus a different culture and ways of
doing and looking at things. Many people have assumed that things are the
same "south of the border", with sometimes serious consequences. The
Mexican, his beliefs, expectations and codes of personal and social conduct
are so different as to be from a different world. (or as the Mexican would
view it, You are from a different world).

To
successfully live or do business in Mexico, it is necessary to enter the
world of the Mexican, and be open to the fact that your assumptions about
how things are done, often are not true here.

The major cultural
Aspects are described in the following comparison table, which provides a
summary of major differences.
The comparisons are reproduced from
Management in Two Cultures - Bridging the gap between US and
Mexico, by Eva Kras, 1996-2006 , with permission from Intercultural Press
Inc., a company specializing in Cultural publications

Cultural
Comparisons

Family

Religion

Education

Nationalism

Personal
Sensitivity

Etiquette

Ethics

Status

Aesthetics

Personal
Appearance

See also Management
Comparisons for additional information.

Comparative Cultural Summary
Table

Cultural
Comparisons

Aspect

Mexico

Canada/USA

Family

Family is the first priority.
Children are celebrated and
sheltered.
Wife fulfills domestic role.
Mobility is limited.

Family is usually second to work.
Children often minimally
parented; are independent.
Wife often fulfills dual
roles.
Mobility quite common.

Religion

Long Roman Catholic tradition.
Fatalistic outlook. "As God
wills."

Mixed religions.
"Master of own life" outlook.

Education

Memorization.
Emphasis on theoretical.
Rigid, broad
curriculum.

Analytical approach.
Emphasis on the practical.
Narrow,
in-depth specialization.

Nationalism

Very nationalistic.
Proud of long history and
traditions.
Reluctant to settle outside Mexico.

(U.S.)Very patriotic.
Proud of "American way of
life."
Assumes everyone shares his/her materialistic
values.
(Canadian) Less than U.S.. Often has more " World"
view.

Personal
Sensitivity

Difficulty separating work and personal
relationships.
Sensitive to differences of opinion.
Fears loss
of face, especially publicly.
Shuns confrontation.

Separates work from emotions/personal
relationships.
Sensitivity seen as weakness.
Tough business
front.
Has difficulty with subtlety.

Etiquette

"Old world" formality.
Etiquette and manners seen as measure of
breeding.

Formality often sacrificed for efficiency.
"Let's get to the
point" approach.

Personal
Appearance

Dress and grooming are status symbols.

Appearance is secondary to performance.

Status

Title and position more important than money in eyes of society.

Money is main status measure and is reward for achievement.

Aesthetics

Aesthetic side of life is important even at work.

No time for "useless frills".

Ethics

Truth is tempered by need for diplomacy.
Truth is a relative
concept.

Direct Yes/No answers given and expected.
Truth seen as
absolute value.

(Return to: Subject
Index Top)

See also
Management Comparisons for expanded information.

See also Suggested Readings
for books that are worth your while.

And explore the rest of Mexico Connect.

© Mexico Connect
1996-2007