The Politeness Of Mexico

“Buenos dias.”

This is a phrase that I find myself saying at least a dozen times a day. Literally, it means “good day,” and it is said to me at least as often.

It is said to me by people I see on a regular basis (guards and workers at the development where I staying) and by absolute strangers that I pass on the street. I have to admit, I was taken aback by this friendliness when I first arrived here. As an American I rarely talk to strangers, let alone wish them a “good day.”

But here, I get wished a good day every day. People wave to me. They go out of their way to help me find what I’m looking for. And they do it willingly. They do not expect anything in return. Who are these people?

I know that the tensions in America are high right now. The news constantly talks about “a divided nation” and people will just as soon punch you in the face as to say hello.

Recently, I say a video of a jogger in the UK push a woman in front of an oncoming bus for no reason. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The fact that that type of anger and viciousness could be so casually administered leads me to wonder what the hell is happening to us.

Now, I am not suggesting that Mexico is some utopia where nothing ever bad happens. That would be silly. There are crimes here, just like in other countries. Before I came here there was a news story about how Mexico was the fourth most dangerous country in the world. Right behind Afghanistan. This caused much consternation among my friends and family.

But I can tell you this, in my little section of Mexico, things are good. People get along. And that is all I care about.

There is a line in the film The Kingsman (one of my favorite movies) where Colin Firth says, “Manners maketh man.” Right before he beats the hell out of a roomful of thugs. But I believe he is right. For the most part, everyone down here has good manners. Maybe it has something to do with the majority of them being Catholic and having discipline beaten into them. As a former Catholic, I can tell you that, in my case at least, it is true.

In too many countries we have rude, crass, and cruel leaders and I think that type of behavior trickles down to the populous. Reality TV is full of horrible people who you would never want to hang out with in real life. But they make good entertainment.

I think a lot of the attitude down here comes from the beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis.

How can anyone be angry after looking at scenes like this?

Perhaps if we were all a little more polite to each other things would be better all around. So let me be the first to wish you a good day.