Despite being so close to the United States, Mexico can be worlds away when it comes to cultural norms. One of the things you should know while planning a trip to Mexico, aside from the fact that Mexican food will probably be different from what you were expecting, is that there’s a certain etiquette that will help your trip to run more smoothly. Keep reading to find out what etiquette rules you should know before going to Mexico.

It’s Better To Be Late Than Early

One of the facts that locals in Mexico think travelers should know before they come is that the rules and expectations regarding punctuality are very different from how they are in the United States. While you might have been raised to think that being late is the height of rudeness, it’s actually not that big of a deal in Mexican culture, where everything tends to move at a slower pace.

If you have a party to attend while in Mexico, for example, it’s better to arrive late than early, which can be considered pushy. Also, remember this when you’re feeling frustrated because things are moving slowly either in a restaurant or on a tour or in your hotel. It’s just Mexican time!

Think Twice Before Shaking Hands

Shaking hands is the norm in many countries throughout the world. But when it comes to learning Mexican language, culture, customs, and etiquette, you should know that shaking hands isn’t always the best way to greet people.

As a rule of thumb, women tend to pat each other on the right shoulder or forearm rather than shaking hands. Men, on the other hand, are expected to shake hands when they don’t know each other that well. Once they become better acquainted, they move on to hugging or lightly patting each other on the back. Remember these social norms before automatically going in for a handshake in Mexico as it might not be appropriate.

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Always Mind Your P’s And Q’s

One of the things that every visitor to Mexico should know is that manners are very important. You’ll find that a lot of Mexican locals are extremely polite and speak in a much more thoughtful way than Americans or Europeans. The direct style of language that tends to be used in the United States and in Europe can even be seen to be aggressive or rude.

Especially when it comes to time-related issues, it’s never a good idea to lose your temper in Mexico or to complain loudly. This is likely to be perceived as entitled or pushy behavior. Think of Mexico as the type of place where you don’t always have to say what’s on your mind!

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Always Show Respect In Religious Buildings

Mexico is a deeply religious country with Catholic roots and this is something to keep in mind when visiting any religious buildings or churches. There are infinite spectacular churches in Mexico so it’d be a shame to miss out on seeing them, even if you’re not religious. It’s just important to always show respect when you are visiting.

It’s okay to wear shorts inside a Mexican church, as long as they’re not too short. But tops that reveal too much flesh or going shirtless is unacceptable. It’s normally okay to take pictures inside a church if there is no sign indicating otherwise, but it’s better to refrain from sightseeing when there’s a service going on.

If you choose to attend a Catholic mass, keep in mind that only baptized Catholics are permitted to receive the Holy Communion. When the rest of the congregation gets up to take Communion, it’s okay to stay in your seat or go up to the priest with your hands crossed on your chest. Instead of giving you the Holy Communion, he will give you a blessing.

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Learn Some Basic Phrases In Spanish

Your trip to Mexico will always run more smoothly if you learn some basic phrases in Spanish beforehand. Locals will appreciate the effort you’ve put into learning their language and will be more inclined to help you and respond to you in a positive way. Some key phrases to learn include gracias, which means thank you, and por favor, which means "please".

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