There are people who are able to adjust to life in Mexico and those who find living there a personal nightmare. While there are no clear-cut rules, there is a suggestion that those who are conformable with their extroversion, intuition, feelings and ability to “go with the flow” will generally fare better in Mexico.

There are however, individuals with these personalities who cannot deal well with Mexico. Given this, one must assume that there are other, more basic personally traits which can help explain the adjustment differences.

Although unrelated to personality, the amount of accurate information the family received prior coming to Mexico is essential for a successful adaptation. There are basic personality traits which have a more direct relationship with the nature of one’s ability to thrive in Mexico.

These traits include: the ability to be flexible, both in the sense of schedules and routines and in relation to one’s own identity, being tolerant and patient with people who have different habits, ideas, and ways of viewing life and relationships, a strong sense of adventure and a desire to learn, as well as having the good fortune of not being overly judgmental in terms of what is “right” and “wrong” or “good” and “bad”. With the rich culture of Mexico comes an entirely different way of living, and being able to adapt to it is essential.

In trying to understand what leads a person to be flexible, tolerant, patient, open to others, adventuresome, and willing to learn from and about others, the conclusion has been reached that humility is the primary ingredient. Humility in the sense that one has a deep-rooted belief that he/she is truly equal to everyone else and that no one culture, society, religion, social group, or nationality has a monopoly on truth.

Such humility is often based on an open and flexible self concept or self image. The individuals who judge Mexicans to be inferior in one way or another, do so as a result of exalting their own way of being or their manner of doing things.

A sense of deprivation, that is, being deprived of one’s normal way of being and acting, often leads people to camouflage their anxiety and the feeling of being disconnected with anger and impatience towards external events such as traffic, pollution, informality of Mexicans, distrust of the household help or the inability to get things done on time. This is not to say that such events are not as troublesome or as infuriating to the well-adjusted.

During the first months of an international move, most people are usually ignorant of the social and interpersonal rules of behavior, become uncomfortably dependent upon others for help and feel mostly insecure about whether or not we will be accepted by the nationals. Those who do not compulsively need to feel knowledgeable, independent, self-sufficient, or instantly accepted and respected by others are able to take the time necessary to learn about the host culture and give nationals a chance to become familiar with them.

They are not compelled to impose their way of doing things because they are not inappropriately attached to their routines, habits or typical ways of relating to others. The well adjusted are well adjusted precisely because they have already learned the relativity of habits and customs, and know that, at least for the time being, they have to assume a somewhat inferior position.

The more rigid we are in our demands for being someone of importance, being someone whose value and skills be instantly recognized, and for being someone who “deserves” to be treated with respect and deference, the more we are going to resist adapting to Mexico. The more we believe that our needs must be attended to regardless of the way things are down here, the more we will perceive Mexico as a hostile place to live.

The people who can adapt successfully to another country may even decide that they do not like living there. Their decision, however, is based upon having really given it a try and realizing that it is just “not for me”.

Mexico is a beautiful place that can offer unparalleled beauty, culture, generosity, and a way to change your life. The more open you allow your mind and spirit to be, the more you will fall in love with this tropical country and its people.

Author Bio: Ronald Pedactor has worked in the tourism industry for 12 years and has written hundreds of articles relating to recreation and vacation spots, especially Playa del Carmen activities.

Contact Info:
Ronald Pedactor
RonaldPedactor09@gmail.com
http://www.hiddenworlds.com
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Category: Recreation and Leisure/Travel/Destinations
Keywords: Playa del Carmen activities