Cultural Differences between Mexico, the United States and Canada
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 neighbors. Mexico has a different history and a different culture. Mexicans have their own ways of doing and looking at things. Each Mexican's beliefs, expectations and codes of personal and social conduct are so different as to be from a different world. Of course, from their perspective, You are from a different world.
To successfully interact with a Mexican, it is necessary to enter the world of the Mexican, and be aware of the fact that your assumptions about how things are done, often are not true.
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
|
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. |
|
