new thread
Hi guys,
I'm moving to Mexico in a few months to complete and internship and finish my university degree. I will be there a minimum of 2 years.
I currently have mid back length long curly blonde hair which im sure will stand out alot in a latin country.
I'm from Australia and have never travelled to this part of the world, but i have noticed that there are alot of Americans on this site and hopefully some of you have lived or travelled in Mexico and can give me some advice.
I was hoping some people could give me an insight into any attitudes that may exist, positive or negative, towards longhairs in Mexico. I have no intention of cutting my hair before this trip, i just want to prepare myself for any reactions.
For reference i will be spending most of my time in the capital, Mexico city, as well as Monterrey which is also a big city. However I will travel all round the country during my time there.
Thanks for any insights you may be able to offer. Im sure everything will be fine in this regard, but im aware that the culture in latin america is very different to western nations so thought i should check if this could affect my appearance.
I have been to mexico a couple of times and I don't think it's an issue. A ponytail may be useful. Some of Mexico's soccer players wear it like that and I don't think it's an issue.
If you come off as macho, in most countries you will be fine. In some cultures, the "looks like a girl" issue is more readily and aggressively raised.
Bill
Being from Texas, I spent much of my time there with Mexican folk. They seem to be ok with long hair (many of them still sport mullets)
Just be careful. . .Mexico City is a rough place.
If you travel any to the Yucatán peninsula, you won't have any trouble there (and my hair is halfway down my back). I've spent quite a bit of time there -- including a month last summer -- and never had any negative comments...only positive. In fact, a couple of guys there told me they'd like to have longer hair but it's too hot to do so.
Best of luck!
Jeremy
Thanks for the advice, i didnt think it would be a big deal. ill probably keep it in a ponytail alot of the time so it doesnt stand out so much
ill post on this board if i experience any out of the ordinary reactions lol
cheers
Nathan - I have traveled and worked a lot in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. You will stand out because of your hair color as it is and people will not react well to long hair in a male. (I also should mention the comfort factor and the fact it will be impossible to keep clean.) Long hair may not be as much of a problem in downtown Mexico City, Veracruz, or Monterrey, but, if you want to be taken seriously in your internship, you need to have short hair. Also, you will get into real trouble in some parts of those towns and in the country. A ponytail is not going to make any difference - it will only make you look more "like a woman". I wore my curly, dark hair long like yours in Mexico, Central American countires, and Venezuala and was mocked several times. Then I was cut bady and now cannot wear my hair long because of a scalp injury. It sucks. Please, please, please get a butch before you arrive. Then let it grow out if you must so people can get used to it, but then just to a conservative length. I am really concerned about this for you. If you have thoughts, let me know. Is this something you can deal with? -- Doug
The "other posts" link of this user will reveal that he is attracted by situations where people lose their hair but don't want to. Take any comments by such a person with a grain of salt.
Bill
Cheers Bill, dont worry i do not intend to cut my hair. although that other post is still concerning. here in australia i have received a little bit of harmless 'discrimination', especially during awkward stages, but this has always been either funny comments made in good humour, or stupid comments by ignorant people. there has never been violence or anything like that as doug has suggested.
To Doug, if your message is sincere then thanks very much for the concern and of course I will be very careful in a place like Mexico, but i do not intend to cut my hair if people discriminate against me. It is a part of who I am, im sure you can understand that. but either way i appreciate your post and your advice and i will be very careful. is there anything else you can recommend to me from your time living there?
thanks to everyone else who gave me advice. please keep it coming if you think of anything else.
cheers
Nathan - I definitely understand having long hair is who you are. And I respect you for saying that!! I just want to you to be safe, and you will be careful and so--ok. You're welcome. About traveling in Mexico - well, this is true about anywhere, but try to get to know a family so you can participate in the culture more deeply and often develop a terrific friendship. Especially true for Day of the Dead and Carnaval. There is such a blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures it is amazing. Even Day of the Dead was originally an Aztec festival. Check out the myth of Quetzalcoatl - it is creepy. There is a type of sculpture which is a blend of mythic and fantasy creatures. Look for railroad trips, expecialy in the south - you see parts of the country you would miss otherwise. And you will get out of Mexico City, which is good. So, those are some thoughts for now. Be well, Nathan.
Hey!
I am from Puebla, a town not so far away from Mexico City.
Long hair in Mexico happens to create different reactions from different people. If you are among older people, or at very formal situations, you will indeed be treated like a bug, or just be ignored (bast case scenario). Aside from these, there is a lot of longhairs around.
Since you are a foreigner, perhaps you will not have much trouble with it, since foreigners seem to be just "funny people". Just take care at Mexico City: Do not carry too much money and only bring your credit or debit cards if you need them, also divide your money between all of your pockets, avoid wearing jewelry or expensive watches; try to memorise routes, so the taxi drivers don't fool you; and try to walk normally and naturally through the streets. Be always careful of the cars and buses (sometimes, a red light does not exactly mean stop; nor a green a go)
Mexico city is currently a true mess, begining with the Chief of Government, who is more concerned about driving his bicycle than addressing the main issues. Demonstrators can be a pain in the arse every day. Hopefuly, you will get used to it.
Monterrey would be like our first-world city, and people can be a lot more conservative at the North: They are rough, but kind hearted as well.
Yet, if you decide to try the true mexican hospitality, visit a remote village. People can be very nice, despite their poverty. The older villagers might get offended about long hair, but the younger ones might not; by the way, they are awesome basketball players, a bunch of kids were able to defeat our school's champions!!!
Good luck!!
I live in Mexico City and I can assure you that this is a very liberal city. A lot of young men here wear their hair long and they don't stick out at all, not even if they dye it green or wear crazy piercings: it's a little too normal. A guy with long hair doesn't even have to look very "macho", because this is not a homophobic city (just to give you an idea, people here can legally marry a person of the same sex).
All this isn't necessarily true for the rest of the country. Actually, I'm sure some places are really conservative.
Anyway, since you are a natural blond, I think you will definitely stick out as a foreigner (this is not a very cosmpolitan country). A final bit of advice: don't expect people to speak English and learn as much Spanish as you can.