How are Americans in Mexico treated? How are expats in Mexico treated generally?
Flip Nicholson - Fenix Real estate
How Americans are treated in Mexico depends, which is true anywhere you go. When you’re working with an educated person, it’s a different treatment than if you’re dealing with an uneducated person. An example of an uneducated person is somebody who isn’t familiar with the world, who may have a TV, but hasn’t been exposed to Americans. The name "Gringo", as a matter of fact, is still viewed by a lot of Mexicans as a bad word, because originally, it...
How Americans are treated in Mexico depends, which is true anywhere you go. When you’re working with an educated person, it’s a different treatment than if you’re dealing with an uneducated person. An example of an uneducated person is somebody who isn’t familiar with the world, who may have a TV, but hasn’t been exposed to Americans. The name "Gringo", as a matter of fact, is still viewed by a lot of Mexicans as a bad word, because originally, it was, since it meant "take your green money and go."
There are still some Mexicans who don’t know how to deal with you, and when you don’t speak Spanish or even try, then you’re not respected. For example, if you’re saying, “Buenas dias” when it’s really “Buenos dias.”
When I first came to Mexico, I had some conversational Spanish only to prepare me for vacations to Puerto Vallarta or Cancun. We’ve all been there- either spring break, or we’re going to go get hammered for a week, raise hell and flirt with the Mexican señoritas. That was the only Spanish I had, so when I came here, it was time to really learn Spanish. I blurted out a lot of stuff, and my wife used to say, “Goodness, I can’t believe you have no fear.” I had a strong desire to learn, and the only way we learn is to make mistakes.
The Mexican people are wonderful. Once you get past the border towns and come to real Mexico, it’s like going to Kansas in the US. There are real people, and there’s not the glitter about Las Vegas, or the abruptness of New York City, and California’s a whole different planet.
Here in Mexico, there are real people who will help you. The Mexicans will become your best friend. I would rather have a neighbor on each side of me be Mexican than I would an expat, just because American society is more “keep it to yourself” and “mind your own business,” but in Mexico, they know everyone’s business. So if you leave for the weekend and they know it, they’re going to guard your house and look after it. They’re going to bring you some tamales and teach you a little bit of Spanish. They’re going to explain to you how to pay your electric bill before it comes, because when you get your electric bill, it’s already too late, so you’ve got to know to pay it ahead of time.
These are things that I help people with when they move to Lake Chapala. It’s not about buying a house; it’s about learning how to live here. You can have the nicest home in the planet, but if you’re not happy with the place and you don’t fit in the group here, you’re going to sell your house in a year or two. We don’t want that.
We have to teach you how to shop, how to get to the market, how to ride a bus, how to wait in line for the doctor, where and how to pay your bill ahead of time, and understand that Mexicans have more holidays than any other country in the world.
In Mexico, it’s fiesta time all the time. Mexicans have a good attitude- they don’t have the stress that we have. I had a guy tell me, “Hey Felipe. Chill out, man. Have a tequila.” If I get uptight about something, they just say, “Relax. Have a tequila; it will change.” If the light’s not working, work through it. Everyone’s fine. Don’t get stressed out over it.
Americans are treated well in Mexico. Mexicans will treat you better than you treat them. To start with, they will give you the benefit of the doubt. They welcome you to their country; they’re very proud of it, and they will teach you the ways of their country, and when there’s a festival, they will explain to you how and why. Mexicans are very traditional.
Mexicans don’t understand why Gringos always want everything right now. We’re too quick. We have too many drive-through’s of everything: you can drive through and get your drugs or your food. Here in Mexico, it’s more of an event. When they sit down and have their meal of the day, it’s an hour or two-hour thing. Mexicans enjoy that; they enjoy the moment.
Sundays are family day in Mexico. When was the last time you saw a family day? It’s unheard of anymore, because everyone’s doing something else, but in Mexico, grandma rules. I don’t care how tough a “cholo” you are. A cholo is a gangster-like guy, who may be a tough guy, but when he comes home on the weekends or for a Sunday event, grandma will grab him by the ear and jerk him down and say, “You behave.” She still rules.
Mexicans open their doors to the Gringos, and to the expats. They teach you and they help you. If you’re a jerk to them, they won’t have anything to do with you. Some are more educated, they understand where you come from, they understand your social world, and they help you make that transition. The more uneducated people don’t understand you, but instead just want to work for you and make money. They know you have a lot of money, and they don’t want to steal it from you, but they want to get what they can from you. If they are a gardener, they want to garden for you. They want those dollars so that they can get some income.
Mexicans treat expats well. The medical industry will treat you well, as well as the service industry. They are very polite and very formal, and we are not. Us Gringos are very crude and very cold. We might say, “He, Joe!” and wave to you across the street. Mexicans won’t do that. They will walk across the street, shake your hand, ask you how you are, and care about the answer. Every time someone comes into a store or a business, it’s “Buenos dias,” or “Buenas tardes,” and it’s never, “Hey, you got any sodas?” It’s a greeting, and it’s formal.
When you learn to live here in Mexico, you need to learn to be polite and formal, and above all else, respectful. They’re big on that, and you’ll notice that. Even when you’re getting a ticket from a cop, he’s going to greet you first. He’s going to say, “How are you today?” It’s just different. It’s not as cold and hard as it is in other places north of here.
What are the best opportunities to do volunteer and charity work in Portugal?
Duncan MacGregor - Duncan MacGregor Accounting
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective.
(Volunteer fire department Valença do Minho, Portugal, pictured.)
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective.
(Volunteer fire department Valença do Minho, Portugal, pictured.)
You don't really need to own a car in Granada, Nicaragua. There are different ways to get around Granada.
There are taxis that take you around the historical center of Granada for 30 córdobas (US $1). Most people in Nicaragua use taxis a lot. For expats, a taxi ride is cheap, but for locals it's a bit expensive. To go around New York, the taxi fare would be way more than $10. In Granada, it's only $1.
There are also the "coches de caballos"...
You don't really need to own a car in Granada, Nicaragua. There are different ways to get around Granada.
There are taxis that take you around the historical center of Granada for 30 córdobas (US $1). Most people in Nicaragua use taxis a lot. For expats, a taxi ride is cheap, but for locals it's a bit expensive. To go around New York, the taxi fare would be way more than $10. In Granada, it's only $1.
There are also the "coches de caballos" (horse-drawn carriages).
There are also some small buses that go around the city.
A lot of different holidays are celebrated in Ambergris Caye and in Belize in general. They celebrate most of the British holidays like the Sovereign Day, Labor Day, and your classic holidays like Easter.
In September we have what they call September Celebrations, which are really some high holidays like Independence Day in September.
St. George’s Caye Day (depicted on the picture of the stamp) is also a big celebration because that's the day when something...
A lot of different holidays are celebrated in Ambergris Caye and in Belize in general. They celebrate most of the British holidays like the Sovereign Day, Labor Day, and your classic holidays like Easter.
In September we have what they call September Celebrations, which are really some high holidays like Independence Day in September.
St. George’s Caye Day (depicted on the picture of the stamp) is also a big celebration because that's the day when something like 200 men fought off Spanish armada on a little island called St. George’s Caye. They defended the island and had the Spanish back off, so Belize was a free country from then;it's a huge holiday.
We have Garifuna Settlement Day in November.
In Belize we celebrate pretty much a holiday a month, except for the summer months. July and August are the only months on the calendar that do not have holidays. Then in September we have three holidays.
What's the price of a home, condo or apartment in Coronado, Panama?
Daryl Ries - Keller Williams Panama, associate
When I first arrived in Coronado, Panama 8 years ago, we bought a 3 bedroom, main and guest house, on 1,000 square meters (about a quarter of an acre) of assorted fruit trees, 3 blocks from the beach and across from the Coronado Golf Club for $75,000. There were many houses to chose from $60,000 up, and a few of the older condos that were rarely for sale and at much higher prices.
We resold that house after a $10,000 investment in 2 years for $143,000, and...
When I first arrived in Coronado, Panama 8 years ago, we bought a 3 bedroom, main and guest house, on 1,000 square meters (about a quarter of an acre) of assorted fruit trees, 3 blocks from the beach and across from the Coronado Golf Club for $75,000. There were many houses to chose from $60,000 up, and a few of the older condos that were rarely for sale and at much higher prices.
We resold that house after a $10,000 investment in 2 years for $143,000, and bought houses up to $150,000 that were beautiful, near the beach and with full time caretakers. We flipped all within 2 years for a profit of minimum $50,000 and a brand new lowrise condo for approximately $100,000 with no 'fix up' investments.
Now the prices are rising but many buyers want status quo prices, meaning that your profit margin is far less. That is true for the past 2 years. With a new condo @Coronado Bay, Coronado, bought just 3 yrs old, @ $165,000 there is a profit margin of about $35,000 and more if appliances, aircons, fans and furniture, all in good condition are included.
Condos are very popular for the retirees coming to Panama, and Coronado offers great values with top-of-the-mark full amenities, including pools, lounging and social areas, gyms, saunas, game rooms, carpark, and 24 hour security starting at only $150 monthly fees and many still with the tax exemption of 18-20 years. There is great value in buying in Coronado and on the coast from Gorgona to Playa Blanca.
What are the things I'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad?
ROSALIND MCCOY - PANAMA SIGNATURE REALTY
You will definitely sense some sort of freedom, away from some people you don´t want to be around, more time to manage in your own way, or even time to pick up a new hobby, say golfing.
Every day may be a learning day for you on many different things. New home, new environment, new friend, new system, new language may certainly add some sort of excitement to your daily living.
You will definitely sense some sort of freedom, away from some people you don´t want to be around, more time to manage in your own way, or even time to pick up a new hobby, say golfing.
Every day may be a learning day for you on many different things. New home, new environment, new friend, new system, new language may certainly add some sort of excitement to your daily living.
Whether you live across town or across the country, this is the same as being in a distant land. Our world is huge but still small and new technology makes it smaller still, easier than ever to stay up front and personal with family and friends.
This morning I laughed and talked with my grandson, age seven and granddaughter, age four. Their mother and father continued with the morning regime, making breakfast. I love SKYPE, as it keeps them alive and us in love with their...
In January 2013, Archaeologists working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, discovered a cluster of 12 unusual stones in the back of a small, prehistoric rock-shelter near the town of Boquete. The cache represents the earliest material evidence of shamanistic practice in lower Central America. Ruth Dickau, Leverhulme Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Exeter in England, unearthed the cache of stones in the Casita de Piedra rock-shelter in 2007. A...
My first trip to Panama was an accident. I had originally planned a holiday in the Brazilian Amazon. I like tropical jungles – big, green, humid things with massive, towering trees, snakes, and animals whose names I do not know and cannot pronounce. The strangeness of jungles appeals to me – strange at least for someone like myself from the wintry reaches of Canada.
It was my habit to take a winter vacation around March, just when I could no longer stand the grey,...
How Americans are treated in Mexico depends, which is true anywhere you go. When you’re working with an educated person, it’s a different treatment than if you’re dealing with an uneducated person. An example of an uneducated person is somebody who isn’t familiar with the world, who may have a TV, but hasn’t been exposed to Americans. The name "Gringo", as a matter of fact, is still viewed by a lot of Mexicans as a bad word, because originally, it...
Most of the firemen here in Portugal are volunteers. There are also a lot of volunteers in the health services in Portugal, especially for the elderly. There are also charities that collect for food banks and similar projects. The charities here in Portugal are all pretty good and effective. 
A lot of different holidays are celebrated in Ambergris Caye and in Belize in general. They celebrate most of the British holidays like the Sovereign Day, Labor Day, and your classic holidays like Easter..jpg)
Whether you live across town or across the country, this is the same as being in a distant land. Our world is huge but still small and new technology makes it smaller still, easier than ever to stay up front and personal with family and friends.