Etiquette in Mexico
Everyday customs that visitors and newcomers often find useful in Mexico.
- Greeting A handshake or, among friends, a hug or cheek kiss. Greet everyone when entering a room.
- Dining A host may offer food repeatedly. Compliment the meal. Lunch is the main meal.
- Time Social gatherings start later than stated; business meetings are more on time.
- Talk Family, food and football are safe topics. Avoid jokes about the country's border or its politics.
- Gifts Avoid marigolds and red flowers as a gift, since they are linked with funerals.
These are general customs, not rules or legal advice. They differ between regions, generations and families, and they change over time. For visas, residency and legal requirements always use the destination country's official government sources.