Mexicans & Americans: Cracking the Culture Code

by Ned Crouch

Understand why good neighbors are separated by the meaning of yes

Whether negotiating a delivery date, launching a local franchise or renting a car in Mexico City, speaking the language and knowing the rules of business are not enough. In any culture where yes can mean no - or sometimes maybe - even giants like Wal-Mart and IBM can make costly mistakes.

Mexicans and Americans gets to the heart of our differences and lays the groundwork for cultural fluency. Here is a humorous and insightful firthand look at how to succeed in working with Mexicans - on either side of the border. Steeped in the richness of Mexican culture and history, Ned Crouch helps us understand the most critical elements that determine what works and what doesn't when Mexicans and Americans come together in our different views of time and space, and our construction and use of language. He debunks the manana stereotype and offers specific advice on how to cross the cultural divide that separates us.

228 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2004

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you live, work, visit, or have interactions with Mexico, this book is an invaluable resource. It blows the stereotypes out of the water and explains clearly and with great examples, how to communicate and do business across our cultures.
I have been wintering in Mexico for nearly two decades, and I learned so much in the first two chapters of this book, it is amazing.
I highly recommend it to all my expat friends and to anyone who has ever been confused or frustrated by the Mexican way of getting things done. Understanding their impressions of us is a great eye opener - if painful - as well!

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit dated now, but when I read this book it was by far the best in terms of helping an American understand the intricacies and nuances of Mexican culture (all the little and big things no one tells you but you really need to know). In my long experience nothing else has come remotely close. When you travel you are are a de facto ambassador of the country you are from - it is exceeedingly easy to offend people of a different culture. My spouse and I have now lived in Mexico for over 10 years and we have benefited enourmousely from this highly readable book. If nothing else, to reduce the amount by which Gringos offend native Mexicans, this book should be required reading.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read few others books about Mexicans--written by foreigners and this is, by far--the best and so much different than the other ones. From--my own perspective--Ned really goes out of the way to express his appreciation towards the Mexican culture.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insights and the personal stories made it real and relevant. I did not take away many actions on how to change my behavior, but did get a deeper understanding.

[Ellen Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a businessman who studied in Mexico, it's another take on cultural factors that cause problems between Americans and Mexicans. Mexicans are definitely more fatalistic than Americans, more likely to see causes beyond their control, are more hierarchical, more team oriented than individualistic, and are more able to handle contradictions. A good guide for those of us Americans are living in Mexico, and are often frustrated by people who work for them.

[Trandt Bullis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insightful analysis of Mexican and American culture, with lots of gaps and mis-steps. The author's vast experience with living and working in Mexico is both his strength and his weakness. His strength: lots of insight. His weakness: forgetting his place as a Gringo and having an exaggerated sense of knowing Mexican culture, sprinkled with some intellectual nonsense. There is some good stuff in here, but read with caution.

[Allison]

Read this for school and found it helpful to explain cultural differences between the US and Mexico.