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541 Posts
I thought that I would share a personal perspective that is growing stronger as time goes by.
I believe that almost all posters to this forum have something to contribute. I say "almost" as I have not read what all posters have contributed since the inception of this forum and I dare say that if I did I would find some posters that were right out of left field or perhaps from "outer space" in their thought process, with basically nothing to contribute except garbage.
Posters could probably be categorized into many slots but for the purpose of this post, I put them into three categories.
The first category would include those that post but have never visited Mexico but are somewhat or sincerely interested in learning more about it to determine if they would consider a visit or perhaps retirement in Mexico. They simply ask questions and build on their knowledge of Mexico. They might, from time to time, post a meaningful comment but they could also make a comment that is erroneous due to lack of knowledge or understanding of the situation. Sometimes they can be very emphatic although it is clear they are way out in left field.
The second category includes those that have progressed past the first stage and are well into their plans to move to Mexico. They have accumulated the answers to many of their questions and are starting to understand the difference in culture and daily living in Mexico. They probably have visited Mexico for a couple of weeks or months. Perhaps they have done this for several years as snowbirds. They are in a position to contribute to the forum and help those in the first stage. From time to time, due to their expertise in some avenue of life, they can benefit even those that have been in Mexico for quite some time. They can even teach an "old dog some new tricks." At the same time they may make mistakes in their contributions to the forum due again to a lack of knowledge in the finer points of living in Mexico and how things are done there. In this connection they need correction and tutoring so that they can progress onto a fuller understanding of Mexican life.
Of course the third category includes those that have already made the move to Mexico. These can range from recent arrivals to those that have been in Mexico for 10 or 20 years. It could also include those that are still in their homeland but have spent considerable time in Mexico over a period of years. The knowledge of everyday life and the hoops that someone has to jump through to legally meet all the requirements of an expat living in a foreign country is extensive and invaluable. Many of them use their knowledge freely to contribute to this forum and expand the knowledge of both those in category one and two. That in itself is sufficient but if they choose they can accept the responsibility to tutor those in category two so that they might migrate to the third category. As they get older, it would be a fine thing if they would pass on their knowledge to the newer generation although when I say "newer" I do not reflect their age but rather the experience they have of Mexico.
Many thanks to those in the third group who selflessly gave of their time and knowledge to impart both knowledge, understanding and wisdom to those in the other categories. May they continue to do so without an extreme critique but rather with a nurturing spirit.
And may those in the first and second categories always appreciate and respect those that have lived in Mexico for many years and understand that as far as Mexican living goes they have information to impart that is priceless and should be respected. Those in categories one and two are the students. Category three should be the teachers although they can still learn things from those in categories one and two as they have different and valuable experiences in various facets of life.
Whether you agree or not with what I have postulated I am sure that you appreciate this forum very much or you wouldn’t be here and reading this post. Thanks to all as I continue to learn. It makes the whole process easier.
You might want to express how this forum has benefited you?
I believe that almost all posters to this forum have something to contribute. I say "almost" as I have not read what all posters have contributed since the inception of this forum and I dare say that if I did I would find some posters that were right out of left field or perhaps from "outer space" in their thought process, with basically nothing to contribute except garbage.
Posters could probably be categorized into many slots but for the purpose of this post, I put them into three categories.
The first category would include those that post but have never visited Mexico but are somewhat or sincerely interested in learning more about it to determine if they would consider a visit or perhaps retirement in Mexico. They simply ask questions and build on their knowledge of Mexico. They might, from time to time, post a meaningful comment but they could also make a comment that is erroneous due to lack of knowledge or understanding of the situation. Sometimes they can be very emphatic although it is clear they are way out in left field.
The second category includes those that have progressed past the first stage and are well into their plans to move to Mexico. They have accumulated the answers to many of their questions and are starting to understand the difference in culture and daily living in Mexico. They probably have visited Mexico for a couple of weeks or months. Perhaps they have done this for several years as snowbirds. They are in a position to contribute to the forum and help those in the first stage. From time to time, due to their expertise in some avenue of life, they can benefit even those that have been in Mexico for quite some time. They can even teach an "old dog some new tricks." At the same time they may make mistakes in their contributions to the forum due again to a lack of knowledge in the finer points of living in Mexico and how things are done there. In this connection they need correction and tutoring so that they can progress onto a fuller understanding of Mexican life.
Of course the third category includes those that have already made the move to Mexico. These can range from recent arrivals to those that have been in Mexico for 10 or 20 years. It could also include those that are still in their homeland but have spent considerable time in Mexico over a period of years. The knowledge of everyday life and the hoops that someone has to jump through to legally meet all the requirements of an expat living in a foreign country is extensive and invaluable. Many of them use their knowledge freely to contribute to this forum and expand the knowledge of both those in category one and two. That in itself is sufficient but if they choose they can accept the responsibility to tutor those in category two so that they might migrate to the third category. As they get older, it would be a fine thing if they would pass on their knowledge to the newer generation although when I say "newer" I do not reflect their age but rather the experience they have of Mexico.
Many thanks to those in the third group who selflessly gave of their time and knowledge to impart both knowledge, understanding and wisdom to those in the other categories. May they continue to do so without an extreme critique but rather with a nurturing spirit.
And may those in the first and second categories always appreciate and respect those that have lived in Mexico for many years and understand that as far as Mexican living goes they have information to impart that is priceless and should be respected. Those in categories one and two are the students. Category three should be the teachers although they can still learn things from those in categories one and two as they have different and valuable experiences in various facets of life.
Whether you agree or not with what I have postulated I am sure that you appreciate this forum very much or you wouldn’t be here and reading this post. Thanks to all as I continue to learn. It makes the whole process easier.
You might want to express how this forum has benefited you?