Tourist Etiquette for Gringos

Mexico is not all sombreros, tacos, margheritas, and guacamole.

There is nothing worse for Mexicans and fellow travelers than a typical 'gringo' tourist. First things first, what the hell is a 'gringo'?! It sounds like something from the Outback. Technically a gringo is anyone in Mexico from the US.

According to several posts in urbandictionary.com, this was what 'gringo' meant:

1. A person from the USA.

2. A tourist in Mexico with the stereotype of northern European race.

3. In Mexico, common nickname to a person with pale skin, Brown or blond hair and blue/green eyes.

More can be found here, some posts were pretty creative and entertaining.

Now, as I see it, a typical gringo tourist stands out with this type of typical behavior or appearance:

-Gringos usually have a huge map in their hand, one that is unecessarily large. They also have other maps rolled up and sticking out of their fanny pack, yes I said fanny pack.

-Cargo shorts or swimming trunks, when you are not on the beach. it is one thing to wear your swim shorts around in Playa del Carmen or Acapulco, but in cities like DF or Guanajuato.. give me a break!

-Sandals, even when it is cold, raining or snowing.

-Socks under your sandals, I think that is just a 'no-no' from any standpoint.

-I want all my fellow gringos to know, that it is not necessary to make ridiculous poses in front of everything you see. No your not holding up the pyramid, and you are definitely not holding up the sun.

-The obnoxious tourist sombrero and poncho you bought in the tourist shop, well do you see anyone else wearing one? I didn't think so.

-Starbucks coffe and McDonalds in hand, save that for the US, try something new!

-Last but not least.. your metal detector. I guarantee you will not see anybody else with one, unless it is another gringo tourist just like yourself. You are not going to find any treasure in the beaches of Cancun, Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta. All you will likely find is someones forgotten beer can.

Image from CNN

Now for my Gringas

Ladies, ladies, ladies, sometimes you have to learn how to keep your tatas in your shirt, and your thong in your jeans once in a while. Not every place in Mexico is Cancun and not every week is Spring Break. You are giving all us gringas down here a bad reputation, so just work with me here and listen to some much needed advice!

Let me just start with the basics:

-You do not need to get on top of the bar at every club you go to just to get attention for the belly shot you are about to do.

-Are you a stripper in the US, no I didn't think so. You are probably a house wife, so you don't need to bring out your inner stripper here in Mexico.

-We don't want to see your thong hanging out of your jeans or your tits hanging out of your bra.

-You don't need to make out with every willing guy in the club.

-Not everyone who is sitting down wants a lap dance.

-Just because you have blonde hair and fake tits does not mean you are Britney Spears, so please stop shouting every song in the club at the top of your lungs.

Photo from Wikipedia

As far as the gringos go down here, a lof of Mexicans and other travelers thing in general that, well we are a bunch of cultureless idiots. We are all fat Americans, with our big houses, big cars and our small brains. Well obviously that is not true. Not all gringas open their legs and go home with everyone they meet, some, but not all. Not all gringos are uneducated, actually I would say most of us travel, read books, have culture and have open minds. Just like not all Mexicans are running around wearing sombreros, eating tacos and shouting 'arriba, arriba' all day and playing mariachi. Although, I would like to see that, at least once in my life.

So let's all work on our gringo tourist etiquette while we are in Mexico, let's improve our reputation and show everyone we aren't just a bunch of gold seeking, titty shaking Americans.

XOXO,

A Lost Gringa