Mexpat 101: The Ugly American

…and how not to be one

Jul 04, 2025

This is your light-hearted, slightly snarky field guide to not being THAT guy — the one who gives the rest of us gringos/as/x a bad name.

First, Let’s Talk About Ugly Behavior

1. “Do you know who I am?” Loose the ‘tude! The answer is No. And unless you’re Michael Jackson, no one cares. And he’s dead, so good luck with that!

2. “In America, we…” Stop. Just stop. Which one? North, Central, South? Because Mexico is in America. What you mean is “In the U.S.” — and it’s not a TED Talk, so chill with the compare/contrast monologue.

3. “Everything is so cheap here!” Please don’t yell this while sipping a $1 margarita next to someone earning a Mexican minimum wage. Also: if you’re rude, your “bargain” likely includes a Gringo Tax. (Yes, it’s real.)

How to Be a Respectful Guest (aka Not an Ass)

Always carry pesos

Mexico still runs on cash (solo efectivo) in many places. US Dollars are not as useful as you might think. Digital wallet payments like ApplePay are more common, but always check what payment options each place offers. Otherwise it gets awkward for you and the establishment.

💰Tip your baggers

When buying groceries, usually an older person will bag your items and place them in your cart. These baggers are only paid in the tips! Whether it’s La Comer or the corner store, don’t stiff abuelita because you paid with your credit card. Always have at least $20MXD on hand. Even 5 pesos will save face and be appreciated!

Learn basic Spanish

Hola, Gracias and ¿Dónde está el baño? You don’t have to know the whole dictionary. A little bit goes a long way. Also, you will be asked where you’re from. A lot. If you are ready with “Soy de California” or wherever you hail from, it will make a long taxi rides less awkward.

👂¿ Mande?

HUH? If you understand some Spanish but your American ears didn’t catch the rapid fire fluency of the locals, say: “¿Mande?” This is a polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves. Do not use “¿Qué?” unless you want to sound like you’re challenging them to a duel.

🤣 Laugh at your mistakes

Your accent will suck. Your verbs will betray you. And it’s FINE. Mexicans are gracious. Some speak as much English as you do Spanish! Either way they’ll appreciate the effort. Plus, a shared giggle is the best icebreaker! I once declared that I showered with very nice soup (sopa) thinking I was saying soap (jabon). Think of it as an Open Mic: sometimes you’ll bomb. (Ok - a lot.) But even that gets a laugh if you play it off right!

🤝 Respect the etiquette

Mexicans greet everyone with care, thank people constantly, and acknowledge even the smallest gestures. It’s gracious. It’s intentional. In comparison Americans look… well, like A-holes. And we’re not even trying! Level up and get in their good graces.

💬 Phrases That Will Earn Respect

Asking a Question? Use the 1-2-3 formula.

“Disculpe me…” (Excuse me.) First, ask for someone’s attention. Don’t assume everyone has time to give. This preamble acknowledges that you respect their time.
“Hay una pregunta…” (I have a question.) State that you have a question. This prepares them to hear your query.
Then ask your question. (Google Translate is your friend) “¿Dónde está el baño?”

This 1-2-3 formula came in handy when a bottle of bleach fell off a shelf in my local market. As the caustic contents spread across the floor, my first impulse was to say “Clean up on Aisle Five!” (Fun fact: there’s no such thing as OSHA here.)

I found an employee and said, “Disculpe me. Hay una pregunta.” I only managed to say “El blanqueadore” (the bleach)… then I pointed to the mess. Despite my lack of verbs, tenses and sentence structure, my etiquette and miming yielded a favorable response. I even received a grateful nod as she roped off the area.

Salutations

You are literally giving someone the time of day when you say the following:

Buenos días – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening

Tip: practice before going out. That way when you pass a cutie walking their dog, you come off as the friendly gringo/a. It’s the perfect meet-cute for telling your grandchildren how you found the love of your life (and their pension)!

Taco truck or fancy restaurant, it doesn’t matter. When someone is eating, say “Buen provecho.” Even if you’re just walking by, acknowledging that you wish another to have a good meal is just downright nice!

Meeting someone new? Say “Mucho gusto” (Nice to meet you.) It can be said when being introduced to another, or at the end of a nice exchange. It makes you seem like you didn’t just fall off the cruise ship.

🎯 Moral of the Story:

Pack humility, patience, and pesos. Leave entitlement at customs. Be the kind of expat your host country would actually invite back. After all, it’s nice to have options!

Have you had an “Ugly American” moment (or witnessed one)? The cringier the better!

👇 Reply in the comments! I’d love to hear your survival tips and Spanish slip-ups.

Valerie Branch

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