What does the one who has not been to this sunny country know about Mexico? There is picturesque nature: canyons and mountains, deserts with cacti, luxurious beaches. In Hollywood films, the claws of the heroes who have screwed up traditionally tear their claws there, hiding from justice. The Mayan ruins are full of mysteries, and the locals (all in sombreros and ponchos) eat burritos and tacos, drink tequila and scold gringos to mariachi songs. But beyond the stereotypes, the habits of Mexicans are much more multifaceted and interesting. Mexican girls are looking forward to their 15th birthday: on this day, the family rolls quinceañera for them- a grand celebration in honor of the transition to adulthood. On this day, young beauties put on magnificent dresses and march to the altar to receive the blessing of the priest, and then cut through the city in a limousine, have fun at a banquet with a cake and dance, accept gifts: almost like a wedding, only without the groom. On November 1 and 2, they celebrate the Day of the Dead, and they do not grieve for the dead, but on the contrary: they rejoice, organize noisy carnivals, make altars, bake skeleton cookies, decorate houses with flowers, candles and ribbons so that the deceased relatives do not get lost and visit loved ones. /bz/ws/bzwsa5rpzg0skcwckkgggcwsk.jpg Some Mexicans have worshiped Santa Muerte since the Aztec and Mayan times.- Saint of Death. They believe that a deity in the form of a colorfully dressed female skeleton fulfills wishes and protects from troubles, and therefore they pray to her in special chapels and at makeshift altars, and the most ardent admirers (mostly the poor) even make sacrifices. The official church, of course, is against the cult, although the connection of Santa Muerte worshipers with black magic and crimes has not been proven. And a few more Mexican superstitions: a black butterfly that flew into the house – to grief, spices should be poured into dishes in the shape of a cross, Saint Anthony will help with the search for missing things, you can’t sweep at night, and chupacabra – exists! 
1. Holidays on a grand scale
2. With death on you
3. Tastier, bigger, spicier
Every self-respecting Mexican housewife has a stove not simple, but with a special surface for making tortillas. These unleavened corn tortillas are eaten with any dish, but tacos are especially honored – tortillas stuffed with chicken, minced meat, sausages and other wonderful ingredients. And, of course, with chili, and often in such quantity that you feel like a fire-breathing dragon. Even sweets are sprinkled with pepper here! They also eat chapulines fried grasshoppers and escamoles ant eggs. In short, they love to eat here, and how. As a result, the country ranks 5th in the world in terms of obesity of citizens.
The most popular alcohol in Mexico is not tequila at all, but a much harsher mezcalwith a pronounced taste and aroma of alcohol and an obligatory caterpillar in a bottle. f550x700/1r/sb/1rsb1z9v5o4kwk8gosgc84okw.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”> /1r/sb/1rsb1z9v5o4kwk8gosgc84okw.jpg
On Sundays, the main avenue of Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma, turns into a pedestrian zone where everyone walks, plays sports, rides bicycles that can be rented for free. On New Year's holidays, a huge skating rink with slides, “cheesecakes” and ski slopes is opened in the center – and all this is also without tickets. As for spectacles, Mexicans prefer extreme ones: rodeos, bullfights and cockfights. GAED/50/lw/50lwmxh9m9kwgkg0gogows4w0.jpg To protect Mexican women from harassment, special cars for women and children were equipped in the Mexico City metro with a separate entrance on the platforms. During rush hours, the police are on duty at the fences, so that for sure – no men. And after 22:00, the last carriages are mostly visited by LGBT people: this tradition has helped them get to know each other without any internet for many years. Each station has its own recognizable icon: not all Mexicans can read, and pictures help them navigate the subway. Local authorities in every possible way encourage the interest of the population in culture and art: for example, on Sundays they arrange free admission to many museums and archaeological complexes. The queues are long, formally only Mexicans are allowed in without payment, but if desired, a foreigner will also slip through. Books are sold at every turn, and bookstores sometimes combine into entire shopping streets. /sized/f550x700/ep/fu/epfuzrr7fbc44c0c08kgkco8s.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”> /ep/fu/epfuzrr7fbc44c0c08kgkco8s.jpg
Most Mexicans are friendly, sociable and for some reason embarrassed to say “no”: even if they can’t come to a meeting, the invitation will be politely accepted, and if a foreigner asks for directions on the street, they’ll rather tell you wrong than admit his ignorance. When meeting and parting, they shake hands or hug, when talking, they actively gesticulate and touch the interlocutor, not caring about personal space. Without a twinge of conscience, they are late for half an hour or an hour, they do not part with their phones – and if a Mexican puts it aside in a conversation with you, it means that he is unusually interested in you!
4. Active Leisure
5. Metro for everyone
What else to read on the topic
6. Thirst for knowledge
7. Sociability