I am writing with only 3 months of experience in MX but 6 years living with a Mexican man and listening to his stories and opinions. I was in GDL only one day on my way to the DF and Chiapas, and was taking pictures of the city. There was a shop with beautiful wedding dresses in the window. As I was taking a picture, a young woman came out and told me I was not allowed to photograph the merchandise. In Chalco, I bought a sweater at a large store, and after I got home, realized that it was missing a button. It was a couple of weeks till I was able to return it. It was still in the bag with the tag on it. The clerk looked at it and even smelled it. She said it smelled like cigarette smoke, and refused to exchange it! So be sure, when you buy something, that it is not defective. They do not have the same exchange policies as K-Mart or Walmart, for example.

I have a few thoughts on the "patience and tolerance" comments. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to be "smart". But it seems to me that many Americans move to Mexico, and then try to turn it into what they just left, complete with Walmart, Home Depot, etc. It's kind of like living here on the Outer Banks. It was very laid back, people could drive on the beach, take their dogs on the beach, etc. Then people started moving here, from NJ for example (I am from NJ) because they want to enjoy the "laid back" lifestyle and then start imposing their NJ ways. Now we cannot drive on most of the beaches. People have to buy fishing licenses (more revenue), and driving is a nightmare because people come here for a relaxing vacation and drive like they are in New York! I guess this is just the way it goes - more people, more problems. But I think this is one reason many Mexicans do not like Americans - we try to take over and impose our culture in their country. We move to the simple life and immediately begin complicating it!

I know that in writing something, the reader does not always understand the tone in which it is written - so again, please accept my comments as just that - please don't throw me under the bus!!! I enjoy reading the forum and I am learning a lot.