What are the bad things about Mexico?

Question

I've read many positive things but would like to know about what I should miss out seeing and be careful off.

Answer 1

none of it is necessarily bad...just different from our way of life!

plumbing--if it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down! and no paper in the toilets, they only have 2 inch pipes (the US has 4 inch)

water-usually can't drink the water, unless you build up an immunity to it (which i don't suggest) or unless you're lucky like me and don't have a problem with it (no idea why) If you go to restaurants, depending where they are, make sure they use purified water to clean veggies, etc and for ice (most established places in big cities do, and most places are careful about serving foreigners Mexico water)

cops- can be rough, especially with foreigners...i've been pulled over multiple times, not for speeding, lights out, etc but just randomly...they ask me where i'm from, where i'm going, why i'm here...nothing too bad, usually. once i was detained for 3 hours though...just be respectful and it should be fine--remember you're the visitor!! This only happens in small towns though, if you stay in highly populated and tourist areas, you most likely won't have a run in with the cops unless you deserve it.

otherwise, mexico is a wonderful place full of wonderful people!!

Answer 2

As long as you stick to the tourist areas, you shouldn't have a problem. when we went horse riding for the day in the Sierra Nevada mountains, we had an armed guard, both in front, and behind us because of the threat from bandits in the mountains, and also, while stopping in Puerto Vallarta, we found a great little restaurant, though it was very much off the beaten track, and in the backstreets. We made sure we had a taxi to the door, and arranged a time for him to pick us up too. Its just basic common sense really. Other than that.....I find it hard to say anything 'bad' about Mexico. We found the Mexicans we met were very friendly too!

Answer 3

ok, first of all, to reponse # 1 from, ascoile..

bullfights are part of the Mexican culture, and just because it's strange to you, does NOT mean that it's a "bad thing".

now...

the focet water is terrible, that's a bad thing, and it's also dangerous.

the way people drive in mexico is chaotic, so watch out if your a pedestrian.

my sister almost got hit by a taxi.

pickpocketing is huge, especially in big areas with a lot of people.

Answer 4

it depends where you go... some places can be a bit rough and dangerous crime-wise etc.

Answer 5

Just stay in places where there is alot of tourist.I'm Mexican and most of us don't like Americans.

Answer 6

Corruption is accepted way of life. No joke. It bleeds over to day to day dog eat dog mentality. As long as you don't steal from me - why do I care.

Water service is intermittent at best. I have a sistern system here in Acapulco and have gone for 25 days w/o water to fill it up. Go down in the city - no problem.

Trash is everywhere in the streets. Except of course on the main drag that the tourists see.I do mean everywhere.

Food handling practices are a little scarry. Hair from the pig skin is common to see in say - Carnitas. Flys around hanging , skinned chickens for sale in the market. The smells in the open market can bring you to your knees. I never have gotten sick so go figure. Im sure hand and knife washing is pretty non exsistant behind the stove and I dont ask.

There are certain intersections that the sewage smell is unbelivable. You regularly see open waterways - big and small thru the streets that have water in them that I dont even ask about . Enough said :)

Education is horrid. I regularly see children not in school everyday. Even if they attend - public shcools are a far cry from most standards. There is a certain amount of rudeness - not uncommon to be jumped in front of in the line at the store or bus. Dog eat dog.

Driving is insane. Their concept and rudeness - dog eat dog. They use there car horns here on a regular basis - drives me NUTS! Some times they will just lay on them for 3 minutes in traffic - like that is helping - part of the lack of education I guess.

90 percent of the TV commercials are Govt. run - water , electricity , dept of health and so on . I guess they are trying to show how much the Govt. does for its people - HA!

Water is owned by the Govt., Electricity is Govt. owned., Gas ( Pemex ) is Govt. owned. The Mexicans don't see a problem in this - lack of education I guess. Democracy only on paper..

They dump thier trash in little ravine's just outside of each little village and burn it regularlly. I wake up to smoke daily.

No animal control and here in Acapulco the neighborhoods have stray . horrid looking dogs everywhere. I fel SO sad for them. They look terrible and run from you :(  I always toss tortillias to them. God that breaks my heart but that is Mexico.

They are con artists. Ive had many people I have met that really I learned were just out to con me outta money at any opportunity and think Im stupid or something. People you really might consider a friend but it does not take long to see thier true colors. Not all but alot of them can be that way.

Noise pollution - car horns ,but just day to day. They will yell across the house and not come to the room your in to speak. Just kinda stuff Grandma taught us. They love to sit and watch someone else work. Just stand there watching - un belivable

These are my experiences here - I have MANY positive as well, but the question was negatives as I see them.

Here is a similar question and check out my response

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 7

Well Micheal G lives in a beautiful place, but with the worst people,  the worst manners in all mexico you will find it at Acapulco, even said by Chilangos (Mexico city people) who are also very poor in manners and civil ways  believe me!!, but offcourse not every one.

Also something bad is the difference between poor and rich,

How poor neighborhood are absolutely with no urban planning,  therefore you will see deficiencies in every service, like water, electricity, streets with no pavement,etc.

Answer 8

Random street crime- this is true for most developing countries and you can do a lot to make yourself less of a target, try not to wear visible jewlery or electronics. if you take a cell phone, dont take smartphones or pda, get a basic phone. try opening a debit account in a US bank that has worldwide free ATM, and get only the amount of money you need from Mexican ATM. Try not to go out alone, specially at nigth. Wear regular street clothes like you would wear at home, dont wear flashy clothes or shoes. try not to speak in loud English whenever possible.

police corruption- dont pay or offer to pay ANY bribes, many times people pay bribes and the police still arrest them for inciting corruption,  It is always cheaper to pay police fines at the station than to pay a bribe. You can expect police corruption at the lower levels like transit or preventive, you can expect no corruption from the army, they are very serious people.

Driving- People in Mexico drive much to fast. be weary of using turn signals, using your left turn signal can be misinterpreted by those following you as a signal that they can pass you. remember speed limits are in kilometers and many times are marked unreasonably slow, certain traffic ticket bait. Beware of evil unmarked speed bumps , or topes, they are everywere, even main streets and highways. treat all intersections in cities with caution as blowing by stop signs is very common. Try to park you car in stablished parking lots and garages, do not pay "Franeleros" or  guys with a rag on the street to look after your car. dont leave any valuables inside the car, specially important to remove radio face.

Dining- the safest places to eat are restaurants that cater to tourists and known american chain places . if you are in a smaller town and want to eat safe and cheap, find the nearest supermarket and buy hot food at the deli, they have excellent varieties at most Soriana, Gigante, Aurrera, and Smart stores.

Eating on the street-If you must eat on the street, DO NOT buy seafood or fruit from street vendors, seafood is almost never at a safe temperature and fruit is inconsistently washed. Gorditas and enchiladas are your best bet since they are prepared very hot in front of you and have not been sitting out in the open like most tacos are. Taxi drivers are a good source of information on good places to eat on the street, if you see a lot of taxi drivers at a street stall, its usually safe to eat there.

Nigth Clubs- stick to touristy places, stay away from red ligth districts and beware of transvestite robbers. do not accept drinks from anyone and dont tell anyone at the club what you do for a living.

Answer 9

The way they treat animals, all the bullfights etc.

Answer 10

I'm a Canadian living in Mexico City for 6 years, the worst thing here is the drivers, I guess you can say that for any over populated area, so take care when driving.

As for crime you need to take care as in any large city, the worst I have ever experienced is Niagara Falls Canada for pick pockets (NOT MEXICO), even though keep your cash in your front pocket, only carry what you need for the day, use safes at hotels and leave your valuables at home, you don't need gold chains and an ipod to have a good time in Mexico.

Eat at recommended places or if your eating off a street vendor (some of the best food in Mexico) make sure the person who takes your cash is a different person serving the food (cross contamination issue's), the vendors with the most customers are usually the best and safest.

Have a good trip and enjoy.