■Mexican Society and Culture
◆ Mexican Family Values
◇The family is at the core of the social structure.
◇Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still usually large.
◇The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of security.
◇Mexicans regard it as their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example, they will help find a job or provide money for a house or other large purchase.
◇Most Mexican families are extremely traditional, in which the father is the head, the authority figure and the decision-maker.
◇Mothers are greatly respected, but their role may be viewed as secondary to that of their husbands.
◆ Hierarchical Society
◇Mexican society and business are highly hierarchical and vertically structured.
◇Mexicans place emphasis on hierarchical relationships.
◇People revere authority and count on those above them for direction and decision-making.
◇Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be revered. This makes it important to know which person is in control, and leads to a dictatorial approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
◇Mexicans are very conscious of how each individual fits into each hierarchy—be it family, friends or business.
◇It would be discourteous to break the chain of hierarchy.
◆ “Machismo”
Machismo literally refers to “masculinity”. There are different exterior behaviors to demonstrate machismo.For example, making comments on women is a stereotypical sign of machismo and should not be viewed as harassment.
Mexican males usually believe that nothing can be done to sully their image as a man.
■Etiquette and Customs in Mexico
◆ Meeting Etiquette
◇When greeting in social situations, women tap each other on the right forearm or shoulder, rather than shake hands.
◇Men shake hands until they are quite familiar with someone, when they move to the more traditional embrace and back slapping.