Opinion: One man’s take on his culture’s stereotypes

¡Ask a Mexican!

SPECIAL CINCO PREGUNTAS EDITION Dear Mexican: Can you please confirm the fact that there are doctors, lawyers and other professionals living in Mexico? I’m a Mexican-American woman living in Chicago who had a HEATED discussion about that topic. My friend is of the opinion that there aren’t any. Her point: when we see immigrants on television, none are doctors, lawyers or any other professionals. She believes the only wealthy Mexicans are drug lords. Please enlighten her. Incensed in Chicago

Dear Brazer: Por supuesto there are doctors, lawyers, accountants, scientists and other professionals in Mexico—who do you think sews up the narcos after a gun battle, fights off American extradition efforts, launders their money, and devises nuevas ways to smuggle?

Why do all Mexican restaurant workers cram the napkin dispensers so full that you can’t possibly remove a napkin without a pair of pliers? -- Messy Eater

Dear Gabacho: It’s called “refilling a napkin dispenser.”

Why are Mexicans so…laid back? --Crazy and Lazy

Dear Gabacho: La verdad is, Mexicans are more neurotic than Woody Allen’s on-screen persona—and if you don’t believe me, try living life avoiding la migra or knowing that if white teens in a Pennsylvania hick town murder you, they’ll get off with simple assault.

I recently worked security at a Tumbleweeds concert here in Albuquerque. I was checking ID’s and letting people into the beer area, I noticed that almost all of the Mexican guys held onto their wives/girlfriends/lady friends ID’s. The women don’t hold their own ID’s, the guys hold them, show them, then put the ID back into their own wallet. What’s up with that? I asked a co-worker about this and she told me it’s a power thing. So what’s the deal? --Curious Gringo

Dear Gabacho: Could be a power-trip macho thing, but probably it’s that the chica didn’t want to carry a purse and would rather let her man carry the ID than stick it between her chichis. Sometimes, Mexicans aren’t rocket science.

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