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rev_miguel

Nov 29, 2002, 1:00 PM

Post #1 of 20 (4345 views)

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Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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I had a hard time grasping that, I understand the concept of "why worry" but if things don't happen on time a lot of things can go wrong

Brad.

Nov 29, 2002, 1:20 PM

Post #2 of 20 (4190 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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In Reply To

I had a hard time grasping that, I understand the concept of "why worry" but if things don't happen on time a lot of things can go wrong

So you spent some time in Mexico and came away with a negative opinion of the country. Now you're hanging around a Mexican bb. What are you trying to find, reinforcement of your opinion?

arbon

Nov 29, 2002, 1:26 PM

Post #3 of 20 (4164 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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"but if things don't happen on time a lot of things can go wrong"

So what can go wrong.? (in Mexico)

I guess the concept of right or wrong. Unsure

(This post was edited by arbon on Nov 29, 2002, 1:29 PM)

rev_miguel

Nov 29, 2002, 1:29 PM

Post #4 of 20 (4149 views)

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Re: [Brad Smith] wrongo

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actually what I'm looking for is some unbiased, informed opinion but it seems difficult for some people to grasp. An answer to my question without emotion is fine for me. I don't have a negative opinion of Mexico or the people that live there, I just found it wasn't for me.

rev_miguel

Nov 29, 2002, 1:34 PM

Post #5 of 20 (4138 views)

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Re: [arbon] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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Thats a good point but I'm wondering how this concept of time evolved. I was standing in front of a bar on a friday and a bar was advertised to open its doors at 10 pm. They never actually opened for another 1/2 hour after that. I spoke to a Mexican girl and asked if she knew what was going on in regards to the 10 pm opening time. She smiled and said thats 10pm mexican time.

CanMex

Nov 29, 2002, 1:38 PM

Post #6 of 20 (4138 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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That's why most of us, love Mexico, don't have time today, mañana. The rat race is not what's important in Mexico, family first, then being Social, if the family is taken care of, than work. And when they are at work and they see a relative they have not seen in a whlile, they stop working and socialize, work will still be there after, asi es aquí.

Luc

arbon

Nov 29, 2002, 2:24 PM

Post #7 of 20 (4133 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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"I'm wondering how this concept of time evolved"

In Mexico the perception of time has not evolved.

The Maya planted corn when the flying ants flew.(they still do) ? Unsure

It is just the same here with the first nations soccer teams,the kick-off is at 10am,with a min of 7 players(just on defense),as the players arrive late they come on the field.

My favorite saying up here is "White man has to look at his watch to know if he is hungry"

As far as time is important else where,we only needed "Correct time"when we went to sea,(navigation)?

(This post was edited by arbon on Nov 29, 2002, 2:31 PM)

rev_miguel

Nov 29, 2002, 2:41 PM

Post #8 of 20 (4110 views)

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Re: [arbon] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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thanks Arbon: your explanation sounds interesting however in practice it must be very difficult for the working man or woman because quitting time must be just as important in Mexico as it is up here. If quitting time is not adhered to here then that can very quickly turn into overtime (which most bosses hate) and in worst case scenarios tulsa time is lost which results usually in planned sick time.

Pernel

Nov 29, 2002, 2:46 PM

Post #9 of 20 (4116 views)

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Einstein did say that TIME is RELATIVE !@@!

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Although unproven as yet, Einstein did say that TIME is RELATIVE..............Therefore you are better off adapting to 'Mexican (relative) Time', I personally have found that if you can tune into the Virgen de Guadalupe, and let the 'Magic of Mexico' work for you, then relative things like personal appointments can occur when they are socially ready. In other words Mexico is moving at the CORRECT time for Mexicans, the buses and airplanes, ferries are "On Time" and everything else can in fact occur in "La manana de la manana........"

Pernel S Thyseldew
On Oaxaca Time..............:-))

P.S. Don't forget that the Mexican public transport system works and runs ONTIME!

arbon

Nov 29, 2002, 2:53 PM

Post #10 of 20 (4103 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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"OVERTIME" JaJaJaJa,sorry rev,jejeje.

I guessed you are thinking of "Paid Overtime".

I have seen a bumper sticker that said "The biggest enemy to a drinking man is time"(gentlemen please) Wink

smacarol

Nov 29, 2002, 2:58 PM

Post #11 of 20 (4105 views)

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Re: LA time

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When I lived in Los Angeles and planned a dinner party for, say, 8 pm, I'd tell Angelenos to come at 7 pm to make sure they'd actually be there by 8. For more informal parties I'd say 7 pm and know most people wouldn't arrive until around 9. If anyone came at 7 I'd probably be in the shower.

When I lived in rural Michigan I knew that if a plumber said he'd be here Monday and Monday was the start of hunting or fishing season, forget it, I wouldn't see him until the following Monday. Craftspeople absolutely could not be pinned down to a time. Call most utility companies and try to get a definite time when a worker will arrive--"Sometime between 8 am and 6 pm, stay home all day and wait" is the usual message.

When I taught some adult ed classes I knew not to schedule anything for Mondays or Fridays because attendance would be low, and to start my serious teaching a half hour into the class time to reach the most students. I tried getting these adult high school dropouts to come on time by every trick and technique known to teaching, to no avail. If you can't beat them, join them.

Time can be relative in many places in the U.S. as well.

Carol Schmidt

wendy devlin

Nov 29, 2002, 6:31 PM

Post #12 of 20 (4078 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] A story about Mexican Time by...

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gasp...a Mexican!

Howdy Rev!

This personal story written by Luis Dumois( a then active poster on this site) in 1999. It gives quite a detailed description of his perceptions of the difference between gringo time and Mexican time. http://www.mexconnect.com/.../ldcpunctuality.html

It's called "Punctuality'.

Remembering the article...from time to time... actually helps me out whenever I experience yet...another example of 'Mexican time'.

Living in country Canada...in a lot of areas...people have expressions that correspond close to Mexican time....valley time...island time...and the locals have a sense of pride about it....kind of a not being governed by the clock or somebody else's agenda. Probably a somewhat universal trait, methinks. Enjoy the story! Wendy

Nick

Nov 29, 2002, 11:19 PM

Post #13 of 20 (4042 views)

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Re: [wendy devlin] A story about Mexican Time by...

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When in Mexico waiting for a brother-in law to pick us up, after an hour or so I was really p---ed.... My Latina wife would look up an me and say "Don't worry."

I got so d--md mad 'cause I wasn't worried, I was mad......

After several years I learned that there is "Mexican Time".... I learned that when "Abel" said he would be by at 8:00 AM I had time for another cup of Canela at 8:30 and maybe even another around 9:00....

This year I'm taking my own truck down and no matter what the diffuculty may face us at the border, it will be worth it to head out to our "Casa" contruction site on time....

Nick

Nov 29, 2002, 11:47 PM

Post #14 of 20 (4031 views)

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Re: [wendy devlin] A story about Mexican Time by...

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Great story that will help my relatives here understand, maybe, when I (my wife lives the time constantly) come back home for a visit and use "Mexico Time"....

MarisolEnPlayas

Nov 30, 2002, 7:20 AM

Post #15 of 20 (4016 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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this is hilarious. so in AMERIKA people go to work on time every day and never take a sick day...THAT IS what you are implying, right? ROFL

And businesses open promptly at the time they post, RIGHT?

and buses come right on the minute their schedules post, RIGHT?

and everyone works overtime and is paid by an hourly wage, CORRECT?

are you REALLY this dense? oh, and i'm not being rude or mean, i'm really curious.

jennifer rose

Nov 30, 2002, 7:20 AM

Post #16 of 20 (4022 views)

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Re: [Nick] A story about Mexican Time by...

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Years ago, one of the popular American hostesses in town decided that she’d hit upon a clever solution to the problem of time. She told her Mexican friends one hour for her dinner party, and her American friends another. Both groups got to talking to one another, and they figured there must be two parties, or at least an A group and a B group, which resulted in hurt feelings all around. And all the poor woman wanted to do was make sure that everyone arrived at more or less the same hour!

Having been warned by her experience, I’ve learned never to do that.

But there’s yet another problem. Some Mexican friends think that an Americans’ invitation really means the designated hour, and trying to be polite, they show up “on time,” when I really expected them an hour later. I’ve found that the only safe way was to specify “on Mexican time,” to make sure that I’m not caught in the shower. But then I’ll receive an invitation from Mexican friends, who think that Americans always arrive on time, and my routine of being “on Mexican time” disappoints them when I only thought I was being courteously late.

Even when I do want to make an appearance somewhere “on time,” stuff happens. I may be all ready to leave the house at 3 p.m., but the gas truck arrives, the Fedex guy comes, Dona Chita stops by, Goodman escapes the gate, the power goes off so I can’t open the gate, the 5-minute drive becomes 40-minute gridlock…..

And then I’m shocked, still, when the plumber shows up on time, and I haven’t any money. I’m expecting that he’ll show up oh well, sometime, and he’s on the mark. Announcing something like, “I used to work in the U.S., and I know how Americans feel about time.” Perhaps the most embarrassing was calling the piano tuner, telling him to come tune the piano “whenever he has the time,” figuring that he’d get around to it after the holidays. He shows up 30 minutes after I called, like it was some kind of emergency, and I was dead flat broke.

The moral: Deal with it. And relax.

arbon

Nov 30, 2002, 10:33 AM

Post #17 of 20 (3975 views)

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Re: [rev_miguel] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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On Mexican Time in a Mexican Town.

So I'm walking around the outside of the plaza, going to the store to buy something.

Across from the store is parked, a friend's black "Suburban" with the tinted windows. I can't see any body inside but I know it wouldn't be likely to be sitting there empty, so I give a little wave and go into the store. When I come out, the friend tells me "Come with us." so I open the back door. There's 18 friends and their kids inside. They explain they are going to a "double" party.

We drive around the side streets about 6 blocks up & 4 blocks over. We get to a corner and our driver gets out and starts walking to where I see the "Mariachi Band Bus". All the adults start laughing. My friend,Gonzalo explains that only the driver and his wife are actually invited to the party. They'll go over and see if the other family members can come.

We all walk to the party because the colonial town has narrow streets and next to no parking. The party is being held in a "large corn yard" (BODEGA?)that has been cleaned out for the day. When we get inside it looks like the party started some time before. It appears to be in honor of a very old lady & a very young baby. The men get 4 more folding tables & 24 chairs, then we go & get our food & drinks. After barely 1/2 hour , suddenly, all the "invited" guest's get up & leave to go to the "Toro's". But the mariachi band has only just started after setting up and we the "uninvited" are just finishing the meal.

Sooo.... the women in our group(five sisters) start talking to each other along with the host & the leader of the mariachi band. A spokeswoman asks, "Can we get the band to move to the plaza and have a big party for the whole town." It's OK with everyone.

The "Point" to the story is this: Earlier, after going to the store, I was to go & help another friend move some wood but then....something came up!

My friend was at the party in the plaza any way.

(This post was edited by arbon on Nov 30, 2002, 11:35 AM)

keith

Nov 30, 2002, 11:06 AM

Post #18 of 20 (3969 views)

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Re: [arbon] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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Ever notice how the closest you can come to "right now" is "then, then" (luego luego)?

CanMex

Nov 30, 2002, 11:20 AM

Post #19 of 20 (3960 views)

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Re: [keith] Another thing, whats up with Mexican Time

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Keith,

It took me a while to realize what it was. But French is about the same, it's "All Following" for right now, so it did not surprise me.

Luc

tonyburton / Moderator

Nov 30, 2002, 1:20 PM

Post #20 of 20 (3951 views)

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Better to say English time (hora inglesa): accurate to the minute!

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Besides "Mexican time", Mexicans also use (though less often) "English time" (hora inglesa) - meaning, as one might expect, punctual to the exact minute. Not too many things operate on "English time" in Mexico, but some do, including most movie-houses and all forms of transportation, at least on those occasions when one arrives five minutes after the scehduled departure time!