Comments on: Mañana

By: Irwin @ the Weber BBQ Store

Irwin @ the Weber BBQ Store — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:24:15 +0000

Beer Bob, an American ex-pat who passed away a few years ago, ran the free book exchange in Barra de Navidad for many years.

One of his favorite expressions…

When you wake up in the morning, prepare in your mind to accomplish 2 things in the day ahead.

If you get one of those things done, you are doing very well.

However, if you can put that one thing off until tomorrow…you are doing excellent!

By: Summer in Mexico | Manzanillo Mexico Blog

Summer in Mexico | Manzanillo Mexico Blog — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:21:34 +0000

[...] a month ago I wrote an article on the Manana attitude of many in Mexico. To the uninformed it can lead to thinking Mexicans are lazy. The famous picture [...]

By: Manzanillo Blogger

Manzanillo Blogger — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:13:02 +0000

I agree completely Miguel. I used to do the same thing when I lived in NYC. Coming to visit a place like this relieves stress you didn’t even know you had. My whole body and soul always felt more relaxed every time I visited. I really think there is something to be said for living a slower life.

In fact, before all this drug war stuff started I found a report in 2002 that said Mexicans were the second happiest people in the world. Now it’s down to 39th place due to the rise in crime. The point is, I really think the world has a lot to learn from this culture.

By: Miguel

Miguel — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:33:09 +0000

Manzanillo is my hometown and when I visit, every 2 years or so, I feel a sense of relaxation and calm. I get away from the rat-race in the U.S. and ease into a more healthy and natural way of life. The food, the air and the people feel so natural and so at ease.
Being at ease, or doing things slowly, can truly be a logical concept. For example as many of you know, Europeans are known to savor their foods by eating slower; as a result, Europeans tend to be less overweight than Americans. So not only do they fully enjoy their foods longer but they are also less obese. Slowing down life will more than likely cause less stress and more enjoyment.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:02:25 +0000

You covered this topic in a very respectful and gentle way! It is the single most frustrating adjustment that I am having to make to live here.

I am absolutely convinced that if the Mexican people retained the laid back mood, but committed themselves to doing things at them time they promised to do them the GDP of this country could easily double- INSTANTLY.

If you don’t want to set a certain time, that is cool but if you took the time you set seriously the results could be seriously elevating for the whole country.

The comment about “Only try to accomplish one thing a day.” is one that I stumbled upon for myself as a way to stay sane, but I feel life is to short to waste any time at all. I do find my stress level much lower here and I am never afraid when a police car is behind me here, but the lackadaisical attitude toward time is my biggest challenge.

I KNOW these folks are not lazy, and the folks who labor with their body outdoors certainly are more sturdy than I am…….. It seems folks do not see a way to “get ahead” here, so they make their life as joyful and comfortable as possible on an ongoing basis. I see so many more smiles in a day here than I did in the US that I know Mexican are happier than Americans.

I do love living in a free country for a change, and do plan on becoming a citizen of Mexico ASAP. Manzanillo is GREAT!

By: crazy4manzanillo

crazy4manzanillo — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:49:46 +0000

i can say that i’m still pretty american. i still think with the “there’s no time to waste”, “it must be achieve today” attitude. but i do tend to relax very tranquilo on my day off! i can’t seem to relax in the states, here it’s soooo tranquilo and i love it! viva manzanillo!

By: El zorro platiado

El zorro platiado — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:59:22 +0000

You actually get used to living life a little slower. We received sage advice when moving here; “Only try to accomplish one thing a day.” After embracing the culture, it is easier to get more than one thing done a day, but when first moving here it is good advice. It may take a little longer to get some things done here, but if you try to enjoy the experience instead of fighting it you are happier and you make people around you happier.

By: TheFixer

TheFixer — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:42:24 +0000

Very interesting. I never had considered an idea like this. I never believed mexican’s to be lazy, maybe joke about it, but this is a great explanation of the attitude they have.

By: luly

luly — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:15:33 +0000

THANK YOU. finally someone writes kind things about mexicans. Instead of believing what they see or hear on TV. One day, those who choose to force mexicans back to Mexico, are going to be sorry, since Mexicans are willing to do the work that is beneath their dignity of so many people.