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I think this is the longest thread about NOTHING I have seen here...and I have seen a few!!!

I am sure he has. Yes, there are lots and they can be fun and interesting to watch. Hopefully his will be better. Why try to rain on his parade?

Only Canadian think it is important to say they are Canadians and not Americans.. Nobody gives a darn. People are people some are good and some are bad.. and it does not do any good to peddle all that bs stereotype. Mexicans are the same way they come in all sizes and all colors so stop stereotyping every one. It does not do any good to anyone and it is boring. The Mexican culture is varied and fascinating so talk about that rather than the expats themselves.

I'd like to respectfully suggest you just stop any name calling, and stop screaming "Fake News" as well to things you disagree with. You're more than capable of writing well reasoned responses, you've proven that, keep that going.

Mudgirl, that is actually why I love living in Spanish speaking countries, México especially. Because they are honest, humble, and not politically correct. When I was in HS I once lived in Venezuela for a year as a foreign exchange student. In my host family I had an aunt who was fairly white looking and she had a good friend who looked really dark African black. (If you ever live in South America you would understand how the races mix there) but she would always call him affectionately mi negrito. Once I asked him if that bothered him, he responded why would it? I am clearly black. My other aunt had a live in black maid named Fany that seviced the house. Me being from the South, that was slightly awkward. And they wore uniforms too. I would come home from school and go to my room to lay on my bed to watch Thunder Cats in Spanish and here would come Fany taking out my trash sweeping and mopping around my bed as I layed there watching TV. Now that was awkward feeling coming from our American history. But it was life down there. You either served or had a servent. And we lived in a small appt. Most appts always had a small room by the laundry room where the live in maid would live. That was Venezuela in the 90's. Things in México are different. They rarely call a black Mexican or black person negro cause here they recognize that to be perceived as racist. But a darker skinned mestizo family member or spouse they address here afectinately as mi negrito or mi negrita. But here is the Mexican caveat if you are white looking they don't have a problem affectionately calling you güero or güera. Which means whitey used affectionately for both Mexicans and foreigners. Most expats may never notice this unless they are fluent in Spanish. Most people talking to you may be respectfully addressing you as whitey. Mi güerito cómo estás hoy? My little whitey how are you today. After first moving to México that was weird and strange and I'd be like hey I ain't your little whitey but now I have grown to embrace it affectionately and assimilate.

Mudgirl is technically correct on terminology but way off on terms of usage. Any english speaking person can and will be labeled a gringo or gabacho. They don't ask to see your passport first. Any light skinned European may be called a gringo even if they are speaking a totally different language than English. Because to many Mexicans they might not always be able to distinguish which language a person is speaking while passing them on the streets. Even Afro-Americans can and will be called gringos. Chicanos too. If they perceive you as looking or acting like an American than they will call you gringo. Period. And unfortunately Americans often times do the very same thing. If you look or sound like how Americans think a Mexican should look or sound like, then you are Mexican. It doesn't matter if you are really Guatemalan, Argentinian, or a Spaniard for that matter.

I guess you do not know very many Mexicans 😉

Ok my experience with the term seems to be very different than everyone else. As I have to admit my Spanish is weak so I rely on my wife a lot, I am not sure of the origins, but I can tell you that my wife kept telling me she was going to buy a t-shirt for me that said, "no soy gringo". Because she didn't want people thinking I was American. Also, her family was sensitive about the term and only when I joked about it with her mom, did they loosen up about it. When we took Ubers, it was often asked if I was American, which the wife quickly responded, no, no, es Canadian. Which for some reason sparked an immediate change in tone from the driver. From what I am told, there is a lot to this, but stems mostly by how they are being shown in the media and because of how the Americans like to flaunt their wealth. But its just not Americans, Cubans are not very well liked either. Not sure exactly why, but both my wife and my neighbor, who is Mexican born but lived in the States mostly, But have the same reaction when Cubans are mentioned. I have been to a lot of Countries and there seems to be a trend where they have one nationality that is some what hated. Ukraine was the Russians, China was the Africans, and the Koreans, I think they hated everyone. Mind you the Koreans were very blunt about everything, in fact they told my ex that she was too fat to shop at their store. But I am making a concerted effort here as I have to admit my original understanding of Mexico was from the media and they didn't paint a good picture. So far it has been an eye opening experience and an underlying reason I want to do the show. Because the Mexican people have surprised me in so many ways and it has made me relook at the way that I as a Canadian have added to the world and that I have a lot to learn to be a better person. It has given me a good tag line for the show though in that "Nature makes things beautiful, But people make it interesting"

There you go again!!! You are just making things up to suit your argument...I said just the OPPOSITE!!!. Here is what I said: "This is a term used here by Mexicans that nowadays is mostly endearing and funny". You are insulting me by saying that I have no reading compensation, plus many more worse things in many other posts. This does not bother me at all since I consider the source...and YOU are getting all bent out of shape because I call you The Nun!!!

Given the credentials you have given, maybe I am expecting to much from you as this isn't really witty or creative, plus I get it , this subject is not your thing, but seriously, if you have no advice or constructive criticism, then why waste everyone's time with these derogatory comments. It adds nothing to the conversation and says that instead of doing something of value, you would rather just devalue what others are doing, so I have to ask why? Is this a mean kids thing, in that you think it will make you more popular with the people here that have nothing to offer other than their mean spiritedness? I mean seriously people, This site has a bad enough reputation for ill natured people, so you dont need to go that far out of your way to ruin the experience of people just because you have nothing better to do. Plus its no wonder they call us gringos here, as this site just showcases how entitled and self-serving we are as a people.

Plus I think I need to lay a little truth on you guys that think I am here just to do some kind of hustle. I honestly could not care a less if this makes money or not, as this is what I love to do and would do it regardless. Secondly, the money that could be made here would be a small fraction of what I make back at home. So it is way easier for me to fly home, make money, then come here and enjoy it by doing something I love to do. So yes, it would be nice to think that one could make a living here, but lets be serious, the local economy here simply could not support the wages that Canadians and Americans are used too. Thirdly, it would be nice to recoup the money I spend, but that is also not a requirement, because even though I want to buy things that would add to the production value or make it easier, I also know that I should already have enough. Lastly I think people need to get over themselves, as Chapala is nice, but being there doesn't make you anymore important than anyone else. So if you are just thinking someone is here just to grift you or take what you have, just relax and settle down, I do well enough on my own and just here trying to make the most of the experience, which for the first time is getting to do a show without having to worry about funding. So chill people, if someone asks for your advice, then just give it, dont give into these paranoid beliefs that everyone is just out to get your money or dogpile just so you can pretend that you are some how a better person.

Yep, but this is where it will diverge from what's available, mainly the majority are just trying to sell something, or just make money in some way. I am not looking for fame or fortune or likes on youtube. The fact is I have been here for almost 2 years, most of my days had been under covid, so there has been a lot of doing nothing and I now realize for a person like me, doing nothing is the hardest thing I have ever done. So when I though, ok what the hell do I want to do with my time, this was suggested to me. First I thought, who the hell would watch it, but after watching a ton of videos on YouTube, Ok this does interest people. But The production value left a lot to be desired. The storylines are shallow and none go into great depth of what its actually like living here as an expat. So I figured why not, I have the experience and the equipment and the time. It was either that or get sucked into working with a friend that wants to do construction, I think? not really sure as most of the time I was talking to him he was trying to convince me that $20,000 pesos a month is good money. I am sure it is, but didn't have the heart to tell him that even though I was bored, I wasn't that bored. Plus, I am not sure I want to get this show beholden to any financial interests as that heavily influences what the show becomes about. As the last show I did under the Bell Canada media umbrella was nothing but towing the company line and it sucked the life out of the project. This will be my show where I am free to do what I want free from corporate interests. So if it works then great, if not, all good too.

It is very boring describing someone simply as different. What the hell is the difference? That is where describing Mexicans is interesting coming from experiences and perspectives from foreigners. Ethnic groups are "homogenious" in some ways because of many generations of living in the same or similar culture and soaking it up.

Of course societies are made up of inddividuals who do not fit into some sterotyped mold. But to pretend like there are not general cultural differences between nationalities is silly and I think it leads to less understanding and acceptance of others rather than more.

There is a calle in Chapala, actually a narrow alley, it is called "Pompous Fonetica". The small musical instrument shop at #29 would be a perfect stop for Northtek.....they sell Mexican "Toot your own horn too much." The owner Carlos Santana will also tell you what a border promotion is.......Don't miss this.

I think the term gringo was discussed previously. Supposedly it is from Spanish for Greek in origin and was used in Spain prior to the American-Mexican conflicts.

I doubt that it can be pigeon holed but it's more about attitude and experiences while living here in Mexico than about where you come from or what you look like. I have found that the majority of Mexicans have a great sense of humour and love a good joke. This is not something that you would find out if you weren't communicating (or attempting to communicate) in Spanish. In learning to laugh at yourselves while learning Spanish, you break down a lot of barriers that exist just by speaking only English and assuming that someone within hearing distance speaks English and will reply to you. When no one responds and you speak English LOUDER, it confirms that you are, indeed, an arrogant, rude person. It upsets me greatly when an older person is the wait staff in a restaurant and a Mexican woman calls out "Joven" to get his attention for something. It's about respect and understanding and it is very much a two way street.

All my neighbors went today to get boosters, it took less than an hour, very organized...

No need to open an account if you follow my suggestion above. Contact fbu GDL.

Anything can be an insult depending on the context. And you know perfectly well that you are using it to be deprecating, so don't feign innocence. And once again, check your reading comprehension. I never said nor implied that the term "gringo" was derogatory, it isn't. I only said that technically it refers to someone who is American. Just as Tapatio refers to someone from Guadalajara and Chilango to someone from Mexico City.

How can calling someone a Nun be an insult? I use this because you always seem to be rebuking anything that anyone says here that you slightly disagree with walking around with a ruler waiting to rap some knuckles!!! Has nothing to do with YOUR religion, so get over it!!!

That's pretty close to what my wife tells me. I am learning a lot as I am the only Caucasian around, everyone where I am is Mexican, great people, but very few speak English, not that that's a bad thing, but I think its 1 of the 2 reason I use this board, 1 to get advice, which isn't working out that well, the other being, I can talk in English, which is rare.

exactly or at least be funny. As I think he thinks he is being witty, but it just comes off as derogatory and condescending.

You know, I am getting the feeling that this guy is just putting us all on here with nothing better to do. OK, so I will go along and laugh also: he, he, ja, ja, yuk, yuk yuk!!!

Which plaza??? Chapala, SAT, Ajijic, SJC, Jocotopec????

WOWIE ZOWIE !

Yer joking right! You know more about Canadians than me,A Canadian, who has even been a politician in CANADA and pay taxes there even now and nowhere else. TRIPLE SNORK!!!

Apparently you don't know as much as you think you do. I know much more about Canadians than you do obviously.

Isn't the point finding the best doctor, not the easiest billing ???🙃

Well Z4 while I agree that this will probably be at least version 4 by the latest videographer, who will get Lakesiders looking to get their face on the Internet and their 14 years here giddy to contribute their story, I doubt that it's going to affect your life here by ANY measurable amount.

This is going to be another video on YouTube so the poster can get more subscribers to his channel and therefore make more money at our expense.The last thing we need here is more people moving here. This afternoon it took me 35 mins from Dental Express to Walmart.

IMO best move would be to wait until you're sure they're here and can perform.

I have to admit, I like the conversation about understanding the Mexican people as its great but I am not sure how I can frame this into the context of the show, as the primary theme is what its like to be an expat here and where to go and what to do to make the experience better. So I like the content, but how would I go about relating it to the material, because I dont want to just drone on with talking heads, telling people how the Mexicans are, as that would be kind of boring, so I would need a visual storytelling aspect. Not in a documentary style either as the intent is to make this a fun and relatable.

IMO, simply say after the visit, you will pay when you are given the factura you need.