The Expat Executive in Mexico - Things You Might Not Like!

The hottest part of the day, at the club. 82 degrees and sunny.

I like it here in San Luis Potosi, much better than in the USA! Especially the warm weather, warm people and wonderful cost of living.

But it’s not for everybody. There are a LOT of things about living here, that Expats might not like. Here's what I've experienced or repeatedly heard about, thus far:

Driving & the "Texture" of the Roads

I've discussed this before. If you're not used to driving in Mexican cities, it can be a harrowing experience. Also the roads always have what I call "texture". That can be anything

Hit a "ramp" at 25mph+ and you'll get airborne!

from a two foot tall, unmarked, random speed bump to a two foot deep pothole (most aren't THAT bad). This ain't the USA or Europe but the good news is, Ubers are cheap as hell (our average fee is $3).

Being a Pedestrian is Different! You seriously don't want to just walk in front of oncoming cars here. They may or may not even see you. As they told us in the military "You must participate in your own rescue!". Thus it is here. You must participate in your own safety! Even if that means waiting longer or running when you cross a street.

The Cartels

I can only speak for San Luis. No one we've spoken to has really seen anything regarding cartels since Obrador took office 8 years ago, or under the current president Sheinbaum. They started putting National Guardsmen and Federales all over the cities and tourists towns, years ago and that’s definitely made a huge difference. But the cartels are here - mostly out in the middle of nowhere. Everyone says drive only on the toll roads when you get out of the city.  One couple told us they were stopped by the National Guard and told to wait about 20 minutes, before receiving an escort to Monterrey.

"Mexico Time"

It's not just things like service in restaurants (which is usually normal). It's everything. Let's start with restaurants. PRO-TIP: When ordering food, ask whether one of the dishes will take a lot longer to make than the others. There's been more than one time when Maria got her food, finished it and I was still waiting for mine twenty minutes later. If they say one takes longer, ask them to WAIT to make the other so that everything will be served at the same time! We found out our refrigerator (from a major retailer called Liverpool - like Macy's or something) was defective on January 30th. Still no replacement. It will happen - just in Mexico Time. BTW, if they say they will take care of something ahora, that means now. if they say “ahorita”, that means sometime between now and the end of the world.

If you go to a Mercado Mall - it will look like a regular mall! But all the independently owned stores and shops are open on Mexico Time i.e. whenever they feel like it.

The Language Barrier / Resentment Toward “Gomers”

Like I said, they're much nicer and more understanding than in the States but I have my wife with me. Ninety percent of my days have always been spent with her. She's a universal translator, when needed. But if you come here alone or with a child and don't speak Spanish, I would suggest only moving to an expat community in Miguel Allende or Guadalajara. Otherwise, it could get very lonely and frustrating - even with Smart Glasses and Chat GPT!

I’ve spoken to people who have discussed that there is starting to be resentment toward Expats in Guadalajara, San Miguel Allende and Mexico City. This is for a couple of reasons that are primarily the fault of what I call “Gomers”. They openly get irritated toward the Mexican culture, when it’s not like in the US (then go home, Gomer!). They don’t even try learning the language.They still believe that Mexicans are universally less intelligent and sophisticated than they are – which is not true. For example, I had a Gomer in one of my Facebook Expat groups tell me that “Mexicans don’t care about politics – especially American politics”. That may have been true a decade ago but ever since the presidential victory of Obrador (the “Bernie Sanders of Mexico”) and now President Sheinbaum, who spends almost every day, tactfully but clearly, calling out Trump on his bullshit, everyone but the poor are VERY interested in politics. Most are better informed than the Cult, who just blindly believe anything fed to them by the new Big Government and the State Media (FOX, AON etc). But if you try to learn and use the language, they're not like the racists Karens & Kens in the US - they really appreciate the effort and are very gracious. Today at CostCo, the guy in front of us at the hot dog line, was trying to figure out how to take 6 hot dogs and drinks back to his family. So I said "Senor, permítame ayuda, por favor" which wasn't quite right but he lit up and said "Si Gracias!". After dropping off the food and returning to the line with Maria, she looked at the woman behind us and told me she said "We want more gringos like yours, here!".

The Noise

You don't hear the New York honking and sirens but Mexico is ALIVE! Dogs bark day and night. Parties start at 10pm and go until.... whenever. Fireworks are quite popular! There is a guy in our building who drives a Ferrari and like many sports car enthusiasts, he's quite proud of the noises his engine can make! Our simple hack has been to put "Serene Forest & River" on Spotify. Easy to fall asleep to and drowns out the outside noise.

The Smell in Some Places / Garbage on the Streets

We just came across this one. In a lot of places downtown (not where we live, thank God!), they don’t have the big, plastic garbage cans or even dumpsters. So they just put the plastic bags filled with garbage on the street or sidewalk. That can be unpleasant but it’s not overwhelming. But in some places, where the sewage wafts up from below? WHEW!!! Keep the windows rolled up! It can be nauseating! Again, it’s not common but damn! When you do hit those spots, you know it!

Safety Codes / Wiring

Safety codes are different here. I remember seeing a sign in front of an old dilapidated

castle in Europe that read “Attn Americans: If you fall down there is no one to sue. BE CAREFUL!”. I was told it was written by an American. Tells a lot about us. So if you fall down because there is no handrail on stairs or because the universally uneven sidewalks are damn near like an obstacle course sometimes, that’s on you. Again, you must participate in your own safety! Street wiring is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Apparently, when wiring corrodes, breaks or otherwise dies, they replace it BUT they don’t tear out the old wiring! So you’ll see electrical spaghetti unlike anything you’ve seen before. Additionally, I’ve seen a wire that just dangled down onto the ground. Was it live? Remember the rule about participating in your own safety? I didn’t check to find out!

Thin Isn’t “In”

Ladies, if you’ve worked hard to look like an American model or tv star, your efforts are wasted here. Guys, if you like women who are built like teenage girls, this ain’t the place for you. While Mexican TV and international ads still worship female anorexia, the locals don’t

For those poor women with " Gringa Butts", a variety of Big Booty Bumpers are available!

look like that and their ads reflect that’s not their preference. I’ve pointed out more than one billboard for plastic surgeons here, and said to Maria, laughing “Look at  the size of those booties!”. Such ads would guarantee poverty for a Silicone Installer in the States! Not only that, but you can’t walk through an entire mall without seeing products for women that are designed specifically to bolster that booty! In my youth I dated women who looked like they were “supposed” to look but honestly, I’ve always had a thing for short, curvy women (which became apparent in my 30’s and 40’s). Apparently, whether short or tall, “thin isn’t in” here. Curves are. So ladies, if you’ve worked hard to be super thin, good for you! It just doesn’t have the appeal here. And  guys, if you’re looking for a Latin Ariana Grande here, go see Wicked.

Cheers, FS