10 things you DIDN'T know about MEXICO
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- Опубліковано 5 гру 2022
- You've been told some things about Mexico that are NOT true. In this video I'm telling you what those are.
Back when I was living in the USA, I actually believed a lot of these myths and misconceptions but after one lives in Mexico for a little while, you quickly learn that a lot of these just aren't true.
Watch Next: Why I'd move to Mexico Right Now - • WHY I'D MOVE TO MEXICO...
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ABOUT ME
I'm Jordan, an American living in Mexico with my Husky, Laska. In January of 2018 I left the US to start traveling Mexico. Since then, I've been making travel videos about my life in Mexico, travel tips, Las Vegas tips videos, and advice for those considering moving abroad.
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WATCH NEXT - 12 Reasons Why I'd Move to Mexico in 2023 ua-cam.com/video/1kNLNGaflGs/v-deo.html
Lived in Morelia for the last 2 years.
I've never been asked to pay a bribe. Never been robbed, beaten, assaulted, or kidnapped.
Our home has never been broken into.
We've never been approached by someone selling drugs.
There IS crime everywhere in the world, some more places than others. If you pay attention, don't get involved with the wrong people, you'll stay pretty safe.
There is poverty here, it exists in the states too. So far, our having moved to Mexico has been a wonderful experience!
VIVA MEXICO!
My main home base is a few hours south of you. Lots of Monarchs this year!
@@lorisanchez9491 Yes, it seems they are recovering a bit. People in the US planting butterfly food wild plants along highways and monarch routes seem to be working a bit to stabilize the population. I am so happy
I live in Mexico City now, but when I lived in Milwaukee (for 15 years) I walked in on an burglary in progress, had my car totaled by a drunk driver who took off, and was mugged a block from my building. And when friends north of the border warn me about corrupt cops, I simply remind them of all the police scandals in the U.S. and all the towns that live off of ticket revenue
Loved that Jordan also seemed "annoyed" with these misconceptions. Some of them are so ridiculous lol
At this point, I am very annoyed by a lot of these. 😂 Mostly because of seeing people commenting them on my youtube or facebook pages every day.
And yes, as a teenager, I spent a.couple.of.summers in the US. The people.I met thought Mexico was just beaches and deserts. And that we were all very, very poor. They never understood why I didn't want to live in the US like other Mexicans, and that I really enjoyed living in Mexico and going to the USA just as a tourist. They never think there's a middle class that have a very good standard of living.
I lived in Mexico for two years in the Yucatán Peninsula (Campeche, Quintana Roe, Yucatán) and everything this channel says is pretty much accurate. I loved the small towns and middle sized cities like Valladolid or even in Campeche, I lived in Cancún and Mérida for a time as well and loved it. I need to pick my Spanish back up for sure, it’s been 20 years since I lived there.
Great video! Where’s May?
Thanks for talking about those misconceptions. As a Mexican middle class woman, I ' m tired.of hearing those things from Americans. Starting by the " you don't look like Mexican". Or the " how can you live in that dangerous place"..
I can't even think of one movie, show, news or media outlet that depicts Mexico in any favorable light, except for Disney's Coco... Is it fair to say there is some kind of intentional pushing of negative propaganda to Mexico from the US?
You are still churning out quality vids with valuable info. Thank you mucho!
Thank you Jorden for giving honest facts about Mexico. You are so right many people are totally miss lead and misinformed about what Mexico is really like
100% agree I lived in Mexico for 2 Years not a single issue travel every where I had . to return to Norway I’: feel like I’m a foreign. miss the food the culture the affordable live. Here In Oslo I need $5000 USA dollars a months just to survive.
That’s why when you go on vacation hypothetically relieved from all expenses in Norway, would save money.
Why is Norway so expensive? I thought everything was free there?
@@dcarts5616 wow we have a great system that works free healthcare education etc. our jobs are well paid too buy cost if living is super expensive food housing taxes you get it.
I think you nailed the reason why people believe these things. As you stated much of it is true but blown way out of proportion. The media and government is responsible for that not the people. Yet many people believe everything their preferred media outlets tell them. Its crazy but I think it comes from the idea that these institutions are inherently good and it is hard for people to shake that misconception too.
Another misconception is that everything is sepia. Because of the filters Hollywood movies. Great video
My Mexican wife and I got stopped for going slightly above the speed limit after just crossing the Colombia crossing near Laredo. The local cop ask for a bribe to not write the ticket. I believe from all of have heard from my wife , the former “federalies”, the federal police or Guardia Nacional, will not ask for bribes. Trouble can find you anywhere in the world. Be smart and absolutely do not get involved in any kind of drug transactions.
Did you pay him a bribe? How much did you pay in US dollars please? Thanks.
@@AA-cp8ry my wife was reluctant to pay him but she suggested we pay. He started with $200 and she negotiated him down to $50. We were in a hurry to get to her hometown before dark. I know most people suggest forcing the police hands by forcing them to take you to the proper authorities to resolve. We now carefully monitor our speed on the section of road. On the tollways it seems the Guardia Nacional seem to allow more leeway.
Thanks Jordan totally agree with you,some people are clueless 😊
Ask local Mexicans to discover what are common myths about the USA
One is the streets are paved in gold. I have actually had people tell me something similar here.
@@luyzqint3760 there’s misconception #1, list has already started!
@@luyzqint3760 umm just thought it would be a good video idea. When I lived in Mexico, after building some camaraderie, I would always (probably annoyingly) ask neighbors or new acquaintances what their preconceptions were of me or just Americans in general.
@@luyzqint3760 i did phrase “Americans” incorrectly in the overall terms, my Mexican friends tease me about that too. The whole continental identity quote is a bit of a reach though, if a foreigner asked you where you’re from, do you answer america? Is it rude to call a White Russian person an Asian?
@@luyzqint3760 i wish I could help you
You're the man for showing the English-speaking world the truth about Mexico. I'm glad you've established a good life there. I'm half and half, and "ironically", my Mexican side is very wealthy and my American side comes from poor roots and is now middle class at most. I grew up with my Mexican side traveling to Europe every other year, going on big vacations to the USA etc. living in large houses etc. but I lived in the USA with everyone thinking everyone in Mexico was very poor....which I always found laughable. OFC USA is overall much richer, but that's an average that doesn't really point to any specific experience in either country.
What nice subscribers to worry about this dog. However, the worry is not well placed. Husky breeds are easier to endure climate variations than many other breeds with less fur. Huskies have a natural air conditioner in their fur, it's actually their insulation layer. This layer of fur traps air against the skin to keep Laska heat free during the summer and warm during the winter. In spite of that, when I go out for longer summer walks, I put a fabric on the neck that gets soaked in water and the water fabric keeps the neck and underbelly cooler, which is the biggest area that cools the dog off. My dog does well with this walking geer in the summer. I take this cool water fabric off my dog every 2 hrs, 2 on and off, as it's recommended not to keep this on the dog for extended periods of time.
So. Yeah, Laska is better suited for heat than most breeds.
Great info Jordan! Thanks for sharing
You are so right! So many stupid myths about Mexico.
A person once made a good point about bribes. He said that in the states, you have to miss a day of work, go to court, pay fines and fees if you loose, and in Mexico, $20.00 gets you on your way with little or no fuss LOL!
Yeah who wants to take a day off work, go to a busy court with other people…when you could just be alone on the side of the road with armed officers, not even get the chance to argue guilt/innocence, and also can decide whatever fine to charge you(you really think cops in Mexico, if they’re going to ask for a bribe ask for $20!). It sounds good when you say it though
Oh yeah. Number 7... (4:50) My ignorant opinion of Mexico City was that it had a small financial district that was surrounded by slums. After watching this channel and others, I know now that was WAY off base. The financial/business district is rather large, and while there are some slums the majority of the city is made up of middle and upper class neighborhoods. After further thought, that was just the beginning. I think I used to believe that outside of the tourist zones it was all poverty and drug dealers. So thank you for spreading the truth.
@@luyzqint3760 Sure
@@luyzqint3760 First off, I think it's really sad that we've gotten to a point where people feel like they have to start discussions in such a manner. I respect your opinion and as long as we are civil we can talk about all sorts of things we might disagree on. So no worries!
The US Federal government overstates the dangers of Mexico - and let's face it, there ARE dangers - as a matter of liability. They don't want to be blamed for not warning people that there are regions that deserve caution when visiting.
As for Hollywood... Well, they pretty much sensationalize EVERYTHING, don't they? When portraying Mexico it's far more dramatic if everyone down there is a drug cartel member that wants to kill or kidnap you.
So yes, I DO believe it's what people are "fed". ;)
Most Canadians also have these misconceptions, because most of them have never been anywhere else than Cancun/Mayan Riviera and/or PV. And the misconceptions they have about CDMX are just baffling. Fact: there are way more homeless people with severe mental health and drug addiction issues in Toronto than there are in CDMX proper, (not talking about Ciudad Neza or Ecatepec de Morelos), proportionally speaking. Nobody believes me.
Nicely done!
Great video man!
Great video straight to the point 😊
Sup guys, nice to see a new vid. When are you bringing May to Vegas...
We're actually going in about a week!
@@TangerineTravelsI was born and raised in Vegas! Still call it home. You’re coming at the perfect time, it’s a little cold but not unbearable. 😊
another interesting video Bro.
¡Me encantó este video!
Thank you for this nice interesting video
Correct. when you follow the law in Mexico, you’ll be hard pressed to find a cop who will shake you down for a mordida.
I was caught in a little bar in Morelia while doing some prohibitive partying, the cop took $700 pesos I had in my pocket. I brushed myself down and went on.
I’ve met Mexicans who had more money overall than the Hollywood cast. I will tell you they generally have heavy security around their homes.
All I stated is the truth to the best of my knowledge.
The asterisk regarding bribes in certain areas is correct. Most law enforcement is wonderful. For gringos in Baja it’s not uncommon though.
Very educational video
Excellent! Thanks.
Unrelated to this topic, but here's a video idea (of course take it or leave it it's suggested with a kind heart from me to you.) Have you considered videoing a big spa day, where you both get not only a full spa treatment, but also someone to deck you out in some real fancy duds and then you 2 head to a nice restaurant showcasing your fancy duds. OK. I just wanna see what the heck you look like with some fancy clothes, cause May is always dressed to the 9's and I'm thinking it would just be fun is all. But, you look great no matter what you where my dude, right now I'm wearing 3 layers of thermal geer and an insulated hoody, IN THE HOUSE, to save on furnace heating. And I don't plan on trading this get-up until at least April. So I suggest this just because I might be living vicariously though you 2 throughout the winter months. 😃
I enjoyed this video
There are no more Federales, they became the National Guard.
Overall great video with useful information.
THANKS!
That's why is important get the best places as in Mexico city , Estado de Mexico, San Miguel de lAll3nde, Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro and closer from Mexico city not more than 4 hours.
I wanna go... Especially before it snows.
Before is snows where?
@mexicanspec647 Ohio USA. Need job in 🇲🇽
Will work for silver...
I would love to live in Mexico 🇲🇽 from Louisville ky
Thanks 👍
Although being pulled over by the cops 50 times is a little odd. I am older than you and have been pulled over in the US less than a dozen time
It was mostly due to having a foreign car with only a back plate. It's not normal here for a car to only have one plate so they were always asking about the "missing" front plate.
@@TangerineTravels They used to take the front plate for parking violations. So cops knew who to pull over when no front plate was on the vehicle, and of course unpaid tickets is usually the reasoning. Next came the wrecker, or a bribe possibly. Foreigners aren’t exempt from this.
Very nice haircut
I live in the state of Tamaulipas,bribes almost expected. Cartels also collect quotas on business.
That's one of the few states I haven't yet been to. Are bribes even expected there when you aren't doing anything wrong?
@@TangerineTravels You would do good to not go there. Los Zetas control that area and you don't want to deal with them.
Been pulled over four times, paid a bribe three times. One time, it was deserved.....my husband cut off the cop head on at high speed passing a semi on the curvy Hwy 134 near Toluca. Two other times, it was for the sticker on our rental stating we couldn't drive the car that day (this does not apply to rentals). Both times, on our way from CDMX to Queretaro. The first time, the cop let us go. Second time, we were driving in the wee hours of the morning and they caught us at the toll booth. Asked for $600US, talked them down to $300US....threatened to impound the car and leave us on the highway. Scared us enough that we turned the car in once we got to Queretaro, and took the bus back through....sure enough, the same cops were there, waiting for the next vehicle to extort. Third time was leaving Acapulco.....we were in a caravan of three cars, ours was the only rental. Said we ran a red light (we didn't). Asked for $300US, cop settled for $10US. LOL.
In my own many Mexico travels, I have never been mugged, robbed, or had a house broken into, nor been approached to solicit drugs.
I have, however, experienced some things that I would rather not describe here.
Where you can and cannot go in Mexico can change at any time, and quickly.
The large majority of my experience in Mexico has been positive....it is just a matter of separating myself from my home country's laws and getting used to how things are done where I travel.
@TangerineTravels, wait, you've been pulled over 50 times?!?! For what?
Mostly for not having a front license plate
I'm living near of Zacatecas and Durango, those states have no seasons, the whole fucking year is cold there.
Why were you pulled over by the police if I may ask? Just wondering.. my husband and I are planning on driving to Mexico and it will be our first time.
We've been spending 6 months of the year for the last 9 years in mexico. We have driven all over the country. I agree with anything you said. But.. why have you been pulled over at least 50 times? Lol!
I think we've been pulled over 3 times by the police. Are you including the roadside checks, where they stop everyone?
Mostly for not having a front plate. I’m not including the roadside checks where they stop everyone but I am including the roadside checks where they make me pull over to the side while most other car get let right through
We are from Alberta, Canada, so we also do not have a front plate
I've heard that "Don't leave the restort, be care, it's so dangerous!" When I've been to Bali, when I've been to Jakarta, Mexico, Colombia, literally everwhere.
Lol not sure if you are from the U.S but I live in one of the most crime ridden cities in Illinois..even though the crime is concentrated in one particular area, the thugs come to the good areas to commit their crimes. Im not sure how so many Americans cannot own up to the fact theat the U.S is also pretty unsafe whereas when I visited Spain, Italy rarely did I feel unsafe
Is marijuana legal
I got stopped in Cozumel for a minor infraction. the policeman took $40 said in return he would give me my license back and not write a ticket.
Your mistake was giving him your license in the first place.
1:26 ... Oh, no, you did NOT say "TiAjuana," Jordan!
Where is May?
I know people that has to pay the cartel for protection. It's not that uncommon in small towns "in the middle of nowhere", in the mountains.
Don't know anyone that has that problem in the cities, probably not even in middle sized towns.
In this video you said Ti-A-Juana. That is not how we pronounce that city's name.
Yeah I need practice saying that city name
@@TangerineTravels Just leave the A out. Ti-Juana.
thanks!
lol didn't notice this, sounds like "Aunt Juana" for english 😂
Frankly I’d rather be able to pay a cop $20 for an “infraction” than have to pay a lot more money and time than here in the US. I mean we have whole police departments here that make a living on seizing property for nothing.
I'm not sure I would call it protection money, but I am aware that in Quebec, the mafia/biker gangs would force business owners to buy supplies and the likes via legit companies that are owned by the criminal gangs (as I was told many years ago). Would the same approach be used in Mexico?
@The Chill out guy You need to really chill here, the Chill out guy! What I described above is how the mafia works in Canada and is based on my own experience, not Hollywood movies. Second, I was asking a question about whether or not the cartels work in a similar manner. That's it. Nothing else. Again, chill out.
You've been pulled over 50 times... for what? O_o lol
Thank you for a helpful and informative video! Question for all of those who is living or has lived in Mexico... is the "Kissing Bug" and "Chagas Disease" a real thing, a big problem, or is it all just propaganda? Has anyone ever seen the bug try to sneak in at night or have been bitten by one? Any feedback would be helpful and appreciated.
I've paid mordita 50% of the times I was pulled over. Getting off the Cuota near CDMX.
I'm guessing you didn't have the necessary paperwork or emissions sticker to drive in CDMX?
I have a question not related to this at all. But when there are crypto ads in your comments should we report them. I usually do but just want to make sure that's not something you make $ off of.
Those are all scammers, so please report them!
The real question is why have you been pulled over 50 times? I’m 55 years old and I think I have been pulled over twice
In regards to Number 7: if it were the early 20th century with people like Porfirio Diaz and Poncho Villa I’d say yeah but Mexico has come a long way and they’re nowhere close to what they were and I hope Mexico continues to improve. Poverty is par for the course for any country that exists, the Sumerians talked about how bad poverty was and that was thousands of years ago.
Bad things happen everywhere
I have my deed from Mexico and I do own property in Mexico.
I've been wondering about the whole food poisoning thing, do people actually experience it more than once every few years..
For me it was 3 times in the first 6 weeks and only a couple of times since then in five years
I have been living here for over 20 years and have never had food poisoning, however I don't eat seafood.
I got 'Montezuma's Revenge' once we with first relocated to Mexico, two years ago. Never had it again, or food poisoning. Just don't drink the water!
We recently rented a motorcycle in Puerto Vallarta (check out the video on our channel!) and the rental company told us that if we get pulled over, it’s custom to pay the cops off 😂 luckily that never happened
Well I'm pretty sure that business owners would not tell you that they are extorted ...for fear of repercussions...you have such a good and naive heart..I admire that..but 🥺 you still don't know the underside of this.
See my comment/question above.
The US media and the State Department.
As a Mexican- American who has lived in both I can agree on all of these except the bribery. Yes you are correct police doesn’t ASK for bribes they can’t but as locals we offer them bribes and 9/10 tránsitos will let you off. Just never offer federales bribes.
as a mexican who lived all my life in Mexico and have family all over Mexico this isnt true, very small % of cops ask or demand bribes
I traveled in Germany, road trip , caught speeding and the cop just wanted to be paid ...yeah GERMANY
Is it safe to put money in Mexican banks?
I heard land, foreigners cannot buy land in mexico
Tia Juana. LOL
I know you know the correct pronunciation but after hearing it mispronounced our entire lives it just slips out.
If you have been following the law, why have you been pulled over more than 50 times. That certainly sounds like there's something wrong with the police system in Mexico.
You said you have never met a small business owner that has been shaken down by a cartel. When people are shaken down they are being threatened. They would never admit they had been shaken down out of fear of retaliation from the cartel.
Mostly because the US car didn’t have a front plate. Other times because they were checking to make sure the car was legally in the country and other times to search the car.
@@TangerineTravels If you were following the law why didn't you have a front license plate if that is what is required under Mexican law. You get pulled over to make sure your car was legally in the country. That's pathetic, can you imagine in the US if someone was driving a foreign car and was pulled over to see if the car was in the country legally. Do you think maybe the police are profiling you since you don't look Mexican. Have you met any native Mexicans that have been pulled over that many times in the last five years.
"If you were following the law why didn't you have a front license plate if that is what is required under Mexican law." It was a foreign car so it´s not required since that foreign entity only provides one plate. But here it´s weird for a car to not have a front plate.
Lol the border with Texas
Why are you pulled over so much if you weren’t speeding?
Common sense. Thank you Jordan for sharing. Blessings to you.? I’m so glad you are happy in life & Love. Forgive me I can’t remember Maya or Mai. Blessings to you both!
XOXO 😘
Note to New Yorkers: Don't come to Mexico & act like you do in New York: Loud, Pushy, & Condescending.
for me the whole issue of police corruption in Mexico is real, and not a myth, as I have seen it in my own eyes
A friend - right in front of my own eyes - had to give 300 pesos to cops who arrested him so they can let them go
However, he did break the law - he was drinking beer on the street, which is illegal in Mexico city. so in this sense, it wasn't a shakedown...but rather giving the cops some dough so they can look the other way and pretend nothing happened, which they did
and in general, this whole police corruption that exists in Mexico and many other countries as well, is completely misunderstood
Cops and public officials, even in poor corrupt countries, do their job....if you start breaking the law, or request all kinds of things, or ask for their help, then they will cut corners and look the other way if you "help them"
but they don't just see you, and decide to shake you down..that truely rarely happens
Bribes definitely happen in tourist areas, such as Cabo San Lucas.
Well, you are so right about many thing and so wrong about others, like about braving cops, they will not ask you but they will accept and ask you for more money talking carefully like offer 500 pesos they will tell you you will pay more if I take you to jail or whatever, then business owner in Mexico city are extortionate may be narcos may be not but they will say for you security, even not business owners, they knock at the door and say they need to get paid for your security and they know where your kids go to school and where you work. This may dont happen to everyone but is a good 40% that has to live with this.
Where’s the brunette
Even though it's great that you try to destroy myths regarding Mexico, you fall short in many respects. Mexico is not a poor country. It is the fifteenth largest economy in the world. That's larger than many European countries. The upper classes in Mexico are very rich and even the richest narco would not compete with their wealth. Sadly, the Mexican elites are notorious for their exploitation of the lower classes and own a vast amount of the country's wealth. The image that American popular culture has created in its depiction of Mexico is terribly distorted, but it persists. There is also poverty in the U.S., a country that has all the means to erradicate poverty. There are also corrupt wealthy people, probably more than in Mexico.
Venezuela is right up there in regards to gdp. Does that mean it’s a rich country, that the average citizen is rich, that lifestyle is better than a country with less gdp in europe? The middle class is more stable in those countries.
Poverty in the USA compared to Mexico is night and day, I’ve seen both. There’s so many programs in the USA to give money to less fortunate citizens. Then there’s the money that is given to hundreds of countries from the USA. The billions given to Ukraine just this year. Yes we could eradicate it. But caring cost money.
So many corrupt people in the USA but so many good average citizens. There is a lot of wealth in Mexico and you even admit the gap between rich and poor. But the middle class in USA compared to Mexico is not comparable. These are facts.
And I love that you say that elite Mexicans take advantage of poorer ones but that’s not the bad part, it’s the fact that gringos think ALL Mexicans are poor. 15th largest economy crap, wonder if that has anything to do with being next to the #1 consumer of goods. “Unfortunate we don’t have a middle class but we rich”
A la verga
@@nickcormier5993 Yes. Middle class in the US is quite a large range of income. From roughly $40 thousand to $130 thousand a year in income.
50+ times to get pulled over is extreme.. How do you get to the city you are in? from Mexico city airport? And don't tell me the cops in Ajijic don't have their hand out!! We spent a lot of time there and every expat that lives there with a car has a story..
Fact: In Mexico, you’re totally at the mercy of criminals, since Mexico deprives you of your natural right to maximally defend yourself.
What are you talking about? What’s the difference between USA ?
So you finally broke up with May yr girlfriend.
Don't agree on the rich Mexicans. The majority of the rich are descendants of people who had "connections" during the colonial period, i.e. descendants of wealthy Spaniards. It's largely inherited wealth, and also "positional" wealth, i.e. people who got their job because of their relatives and their network. A lot like how it works in the US ☺️.
Nepotism knows no borders
Only helping to make Mexico more expensive and unaffordable for the locals with videos like this. Look at what happened here in Vegas after it was flocked by Californian’s
it happened to me
Why would you or anyone be pulled over fifty times in only five years??? I haven’t been pulled over more than three in my entire life.