In understanding the implications of doing business in a foreign country, I think it is necessary to understand one's own perceptions of the country at hand. It is important to recognize the evolution of this process from the beginnings of relative ignorance to the final stages of ongoing understanding and acceptance. This is the only way a bridge can be built between two seemingly different cultures.
BEFORE MEXICO
Family Connections: Personally, I have been in close contact with Mexicans on many occasions?some short-term, others long-term. I have an aunt (by marriage) who is Mexican, and so I also have three Mexican-American cousins. By the time I was old enough to recognize the significance of this cross-cultural marriage, the greater family had come to accept my aunt's differences. She has always been fast-talking and very opinionated, and for much of my childhood I assumed this was how all Mexicans were. She and her family also lived in Colorado and this made getting close to them extremely difficult.
Exchange Students: As I entered into high school, I had no idea the profound effect that befriending international exchange students would have upon me. At my school, we often had students from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico, and Spain. But for some reason, I always seemed to gravitate towards the Spanish speakers?especially the Mexicans. At the time I did not know why. First of all, I did not speak Spanish (I was actually studying French in high school). And secondly, my experiences with my Mexican aunt were?well let's just say they were less than warm and cuddly. And yet, my intrigue with grew with each new student I befriended. The friendships were so ...