Entitled tourists

As per my previous post, it’s apparent that I’m getting frustrated with the new group of tourists we are getting here. Of course, most of them are great people, enjoying being here and having a good time; but the rest….?

In Canada, we have a very diverse group of our own tourists, from Germany to China, Japan, Korea and many other countries. Does this mean that we now have to learn all those languages? No, we expect them to learn some English before coming here, so why don’t you tourists to Mexico, try to learn a little Spanish?

Back in the day, if you went on holiday to a non-English speaking country, you would get a phrase book and work it out. We did this on our first visits to Mexico. Now you expect the country you are visiting to know your language. Just how crazy is that?

When you get here, remember that you are a guest of this fantastic country. You’re not special because you can afford a holiday here. You’re no better than Mexicans; in fact, I would rather have a Mexican friend than some of you any day.

Because Mexicans don’t understand you, it doesn’t make them stupid. They are speaking their language in their country. Perhaps you shouldn’t come to a Spanish-speaking country unprepared.

While you feel so privileged, try to see how Mexicans see you. You walk down the middle of the street wearing a long sleeve shirt, sandals or running shoes with black socks and skinny white legs looking like uncooked sausages. You try not to say anything to anyone in case you end up looking silly. Trust me you started out looking silly. Mexicans however would not say a thing, as they are too polite.

You are easily seen on the beach because you are the ones with red sunburns looking bewildered because you’re not sure how to order a drink. When you do order you invariably get it wrong and blame it on the meseros and expect a free margarita.

You go into a restaurant and expect immediate service. If your meal or drinks aren’t served in the first five minutes you throw a hissy fit. Sometimes you leave, only to go to the next restaurant and find that this is indeed Mexico and time is a little different here. While you’re waiting you miss the fact that you are sitting in a beautiful location, chatting with friends, with the waves crashing and the breeze cooling your sunburn. No! you just have to have that drink right now, because you want service!

Why do you walk in the middle of the street? There are sidewalks. Are you afraid to walk on the sidewalk where they are selling tourist stuff; in case someone speaks to you and makes you feel inadequate when you aren’t able to respond?

If you don’t speak Spanish when you encounter a Mexican, at least acknowledge them. Just say Hi! and smile, they’ll appreciate it and you can be sure they will respond with Buen Día.

On the beach, it seems that it’s your god-given right to haggle with the beach vendors to get the best price you can. You probably save yourself 50 cents but take away an income from people whose minimum wage is about $15 CDN a day.

And stop being so loud! We don’t care if you own a thousand-acre ranch in Butt Crack, Alabama (the plumbing capital of the USA) or are a berry picker from Dildo, Newfoundland. They don’t want to hear how much you have or how great you think you are.

Let’s reverse roles for a moment. A Mexican family comes into your community and expects you to speak Spanish then complains about the noise and the service in the restaurants. They go to the local store and start to haggle over prices. How would you feel?

Of course, we were tourists here once and I suppose we still are. We made all the same mistakes. However, we do try to learn the language and we have never disrespected the Mexicans. Then, as now, we are always aware that we are guests in a foreign country.