How Mexican Culture Is Viewed by Mexicans Versus Gringos
Mariachis
Mexicans: The party’s over. Everybody needs to go home…now!
Gringos: Mexico’s greatest national symbol.
Tijuana
Mexicans: A small city on the US border, known for its unruly nature and because it has donkeys disguised as zebras.
Gringos: One of Mexico’s major cities. Other contenders are Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta.
Cancún
Mexicans: The Caribbean!
Gringos: Mexico!
Cinco de Mayo
Mexicans: We commemorate some battle…in Puebla…against some unfriendly dudes.
Gringos: Mexican Independence Day!
Barbacoa
Mexicans: Steamed meat. The perfect remedy for your hangover.
Gringos: Barbecue. Still good for the hangover.
America
Mexicans: Our continent. Football team, loved by a few and hated by everyone else.
Gringos: The US
Mexican Cinema
Mexicans: Pedro Infante, Cantinflas, María Félix, Guillermo del Toro, the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema…
Gringos: Y Tu Mamá También!
Chilli con carne
Mexicans: Say what?
Gringos: The national dish of Mexico
Maná
Mexicans: The worst part of Mexican rock
Gringos: The worst part of Mexican rock
Limón
Mexicans: The necessary companion of every Mexican meal. It’s also good to prepare aguas frescas, to enhance the power of your everyday tea, and keeps your clothes clean, your dog in good health, your hair looking good, and the flies away from home. It’s the best antiseptic, cures liver disease, reduces skin rash, and is the quintessential ingredient of every michelada.
Gringos: Better known as lime. You bought a pack at Trader Joe’s last winter and left them until they all turned brown.
Salsa
Mexicans: Every table’s centerpiece. Located between the salt, napkins, and limes.
Gringos: Tomato sauce.
Bimbo
Mexicans: White bread.
Gringos: Good-looking girl, not very bright.
Nopales
Mexicans: Ubiquitous side dish.
Gringos: You mean you really eat cacti in Mexico?
El Coco
Mexicans: Creature of mysterious origin whose main goal is solving the typical fights over bedtime with children…by eating them.
Gringos: Coconuts, great with vodka!
Corona
Mexicans: Your last resort. You only drink it when there’s nothing else in your fridge, it’s the middle of the night, and there’s not a single convenience store for miles around you.
Gringos: Authentic Mexican beer to be served with lime.
“A la mexicana” / “Mexican style”
Mexicans: With tomato, chili, and onion.
Gringos: Somebody with a sombrero, serape, and maracas.
Sweetbreads
Mexicans: Orejas, conchas, moños, chilindrinas, cocoles, hojaldras, besos, polvorones, bigotes, cuernos, panques, trenzas, pan de muerto, donuts, pies, and cakes.
Gringos: Organ meat
Mercados
Mexicans: So cheap and so fresh!
Gringos: So…organic and so expensive!