One of the things I love most about Mexicans is their patience with me while I stumble through learning Spanish. I also find it interesting the number of interactions that go in and out of Spanish to English. It’s as though, we want to have this interaction, and we’ll piece together both our knowledge to make it happen. My goal is still to be fluent in Spanish though. It will come if I keep working at it.
Ah, I saw the Columbia shirt and knew he was most likely from Oregon! We left Gold Beach after living many places in Oregon for 23 years and sold everything and just left for central Mexico for good. My son and I grew up in San Diego so lots of Baja experience but central Mexico is another thing...we're LOVING it.
John congratulations on your retirement!! I love how open you are to just meeting people and speaking with them while learning the language. We always try and speak as much Spanish as we can even when it seems like we might not need to because we want to learn! We went to a Flamenco concert in Mazatlán in March and it was one of my favorite things I’ve done in Mexico.
Omgosh, that was such a great video and an important message, BW! Thank you for putting it out! And what a lovely man your guest is. Love his attitude, love his enthusiasm, love his smile 😁. It IS soooo important to at least try to learn and speak Spanish. It made my experience there so much richer and more fun. I remember going into a shop once in Guanajuato to buy something and when I started speaking Spanish to the owners, they were so thrilled they gave me a little discount on my purchase! I've kept up my Spanish throughout the years since I left and that'll be so helpful when I move back soon!!! It does open doors.
Nice conversation with John, this type of video is great to put out every so often so that people don't get complacent with the basic words or sentences that they know, because you explain why it is so much better to continue learning the language. (My mom would hate my run-on sentence, lol.)
Oh man, I needed this. I have about one year of self-instruction under my belt and heading to Panama next week to tour the country for possible relocation. You guys inspire me, and no doubt are keeping yourselves busy. Nicely done and thank you.
Awesome interview! So happy to see this. Since you were so fortunate to attend the quinceañera, the next level is a MEXICAN wedding ( Boda) as you learned about the Padrinos for helping with the cost of the quinceañera, the same goes for the Weddings... Recently my spouse and I were asked to be the Padrinos for the Wedding rings... what that means is we covered the cost of the rings. It was delightful to go with the Bride and Groom to-be, and watch them pick out the rings and then we paid for them. I was a little nervous about the price but in Mexico ( state of Puebla) it was only about a third of what we might have paid for the same beautiful gold bands in the States. So much fun learning the culture and language! John is a delightful guest,, I would love to hear more about his travels when he returns from Europe... I started studying German in 2011... it's a very fun language! Spanish and French are both easier than German to me. LOL THANKS for everything you share here !!
@@johnandersen8199 Please leave a link for your journal posts if you don't mind? I would love to read anything related to language learning and travel :)
The godparents for your 15th birthday are really important because besides being people you appreciate, they are the ones who will help you in the organization and financing of your party. The important thing is that their gestures are sincere and full of good wishes for your birthday celebration. The term Padrino has changed, originally there was only one godfather for the quinceanera but over time the economy has forced to integrate more godparents to the celebration in order to cover the expenses associated with the party. And in order to cover every aspect of the celebration such as food, music, the Quinceañera's dress, the venue, etc. it has been necessary to rely on friends or relatives as young as the Quinceañera to cover the cost of the celebration. Nice interview, Casi Jubilado en Mexico!
@juliebunczak6923 I think you have a recommendation in Cabo, right? I haven't really explored language schools, but I might in Guadalajara this summer if I can squeeze it in.
We totally do the same thing....research words and phrases as they come up. We are pretty thrown into almost total immersion now...being in the more non-gringo towns. Currently in Patzcuaro, Michoacan and not very many people speak spanish. Try asking for ant bait at the local tienda or perhaps an anti-parasite medicine, lol.
For parasites : Ivermectina LOL It was readily available at the border in the Farmacia Similares... But in Central Mexico they had NEVER heard of it... crazy!! for the ants... just get some BORAX... :)
I'm definitely going to have to watch this one, because my immediate reaction to "Why learn Spanish if you're living in Mexico?" is "Why on earth wouldn't you?"
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico AS someone well into my 70s, it's much harder to learn languages than it used to be, but that doesn't mean I'm not working on it. When I realized that I finally had a decent understanding of the past tense in Spanish, I baked a blueberry pie to celebrate. (OK, it was just the past preterite tense and I have lots more to go, but still, it's encouraging progress).
@@ednafronkelbarger8601 In Spanish, there will always be another tense to learn! Congrats on the preterite. It's the language that keeps on challenging.
Learn Spanish to show respect. Stay ignorant of the language to show you are North American. Edit: oh! That quote from Charlemagne, To have a second language is to posses another soul, hit me. So true, so simple, so profound. Thank you, I had never heard that before.
Respect yes, no offense but we are not gonna tell expats "hey you are in Mexico now! You must speak spanish!" we understand we have many lovely people visiting us and decide to start a life in Mexico and we will help them feel home, some of our main aspects of our culture is home and union and family, we hope people from around the world feel like home
There’s no end to studying the culture and history of Mexico. The museum where we were has programs about the indigenous languages, and if you were here, they could probably point you to communities or individuals who could teach you more. On the street here in La Paz, it’s pretty much Spanish though with Mexicans who do speak English often wanting to practice their English with us. Really nice vibe.
It seems that currently, you need an FMM anywhere in Mexico, even near the border. If you're staying less than 7 days, it's free. But I think enforcement is pretty limited.
Even if just knowing when someone is smiling and swearing at you it can be useful. PS I can vouch for Nova Scotia. But for me the #1 reason to learn your "hosts" language is usually "natives" will help you IF you try. I don't know about John... A willingness to learn ? To actually listen AND learn? My gawd where'd he find the room for more learning? Very good Mr B. A most important subject. P n D
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I'm sure there are harsher words used to describe gringo's beyond White Person. i.e. El burro sabe mas que tu or Eres tanfeo/a que hiciste lloran a una ceboll or even Pendejo. Or worse. lol
@@davebaker489 Best to assume you need your own TP. Then you don't need to learn the tense that would apply to, "if I were to use the bathroom, would I need my own TP." Pam can explain the conjugation...
Just be willing to look like a blithering idiot sometimes! I call it my "cavewoman Spanish", LOL. BTW, for forms and signage Google Translate for images is PRICELESS! We've used it for everything from museum signage to forms at the doctor's office.
One of the things I love most about Mexicans is their patience with me while I stumble through learning Spanish.
I also find it interesting the number of interactions that go in and out of Spanish to English.
It’s as though, we want to have this interaction, and we’ll piece together both our knowledge to make it happen.
My goal is still to be fluent in Spanish though. It will come if I keep working at it.
Nice one! John, so good to see someone really never stop learning - embracing the Mexican language & culture!!! Good on you!! 😊👌
Ah, I saw the Columbia shirt and knew he was most likely from Oregon! We left Gold Beach after living many places in Oregon for 23 years and sold everything and just left for central Mexico for good. My son and I grew up in San Diego so lots of Baja experience but central Mexico is another thing...we're LOVING it.
John congratulations on your retirement!! I love how open you are to just meeting people and speaking with them while learning the language. We always try and speak as much Spanish as we can even when it seems like we might not need to because we want to learn! We went to a Flamenco concert in Mazatlán in March and it was one of my favorite things I’ve done in Mexico.
The cultural opportunities are endless here, aren’t they?
Omgosh, that was such a great video and an important message, BW! Thank you for putting it out! And what a lovely man your guest is. Love his attitude, love his enthusiasm, love his smile 😁. It IS soooo important to at least try to learn and speak Spanish. It made my experience there so much richer and more fun. I remember going into a shop once in Guanajuato to buy something and when I started speaking Spanish to the owners, they were so thrilled they gave me a little discount on my purchase! I've kept up my Spanish throughout the years since I left and that'll be so helpful when I move back soon!!! It does open doors.
Thanks. Yes, I’m going to miss La Paz because of all the wonderful Mexicans I’ve met here. Spanish has been the key to unlock that door.
Thanks for sharing Brenda. Speaking the language really does offer a deeper perspective!
Nice conversation with John, this type of video is great to put out every so often so that people don't get complacent with the basic words or sentences that they know, because you explain why it is so much better to continue learning the language. (My mom would hate my run-on sentence, lol.)
Oh man, I needed this. I have about one year of self-instruction under my belt and heading to Panama next week to tour the country for possible relocation. You guys inspire me, and no doubt are keeping yourselves busy. Nicely done and thank you.
Have fun in Panama. It’s a great country - especially if they still have the colorful buses in Panama City!
Fantastic and helpful conversation. Much food for thought. Gracias 🙏🏻💕
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for watching!
Because in México we speak spanish
Indeed. It’s the key to unlocking a treasure chest of experiences.
awesome janderson you look good great interview
Thanks for watching!
Fun interview. I enjoyed it. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
We don't get crazy mad if you're speaking english in Mexico, we try to understand, and comunicate with you.
Thank you! As a group, Mexicans are much more polite than people from the US. Of course you have exceptions on both sides of the border. Cheers!
Politeness and kindness are baked into the culture here.
Awesome interview! So happy to see this. Since you were so fortunate to attend the quinceañera, the next level is a MEXICAN wedding ( Boda) as you learned about the Padrinos for helping with the cost of the quinceañera, the same goes for the Weddings... Recently my spouse and I were asked to be the Padrinos for the Wedding rings... what that means is we covered the cost of the rings. It was delightful to go with the Bride and Groom to-be, and watch them pick out the rings and then we paid for them. I was a little nervous about the price but in Mexico ( state of Puebla) it was only about a third of what we might have paid for the same beautiful gold bands in the States. So much fun learning the culture and language! John is a delightful guest,, I would love to hear more about his travels when he returns from Europe... I started studying German in 2011... it's a very fun language! Spanish and French are both easier than German to me. LOL THANKS for everything you share here !!
I do a daily journal posting on Facebook. Thanks for the kind words.
@@johnandersen8199 Please leave a link for your journal posts if you don't mind? I would love to read anything related to language learning and travel :)
@hivolco151 Here's John's Blog: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080713872201
@hivolco151 Interesting about becoming a padrino for some wedding rings. Such different cultures! But so much fun to be part of it.
The godparents for your 15th birthday are really important because besides being people you appreciate, they are the ones who will help you in the organization and financing of your party. The important thing is that their gestures are sincere and full of good wishes for your birthday celebration.
The term Padrino has changed, originally there was only one godfather for the quinceanera but over time the economy has forced to integrate more godparents to the celebration in order to cover the expenses associated with the party. And in order to cover every aspect of the celebration such as food, music, the Quinceañera's dress, the venue, etc. it has been necessary to rely on friends or relatives as young as the Quinceañera to cover the cost of the celebration. Nice interview, Casi Jubilado en Mexico!
Thanks for sharing this info on Padrinos. I learn more each day!
How about some recommendations for language immersion schools in Mexico?
My preference is finding long-term teachers online. That way, it doesn’t matter where I go in the world, I still get my lessons.
@juliebunczak6923 I think you have a recommendation in Cabo, right? I haven't really explored language schools, but I might in Guadalajara this summer if I can squeeze it in.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I'd like to find a better place than the one in Cabo, preferably one with other students.
We totally do the same thing....research words and phrases as they come up. We are pretty thrown into almost total immersion now...being in the more non-gringo towns. Currently in Patzcuaro, Michoacan and not very many people speak spanish. Try asking for ant bait at the local tienda or perhaps an anti-parasite medicine, lol.
Sounds like a fun challenge.
For parasites : Ivermectina LOL It was readily available at the border in the Farmacia Similares... But in Central Mexico they had NEVER heard of it... crazy!! for the ants... just get some BORAX... :)
I'm definitely going to have to watch this one, because my immediate reaction to "Why learn Spanish if you're living in Mexico?" is "Why on earth wouldn't you?"
Yup - you need to watch. This is pretty much about the benefits that come from learning Spanish. John is a great example.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico AS someone well into my 70s, it's much harder to learn languages than it used to be, but that doesn't mean I'm not working on it. When I realized that I finally had a decent understanding of the past tense in Spanish, I baked a blueberry pie to celebrate. (OK, it was just the past preterite tense and I have lots more to go, but still, it's encouraging progress).
@@ednafronkelbarger8601 In Spanish, there will always be another tense to learn! Congrats on the preterite. It's the language that keeps on challenging.
Learn Spanish to show respect.
Stay ignorant of the language to show you are North American.
Edit: oh! That quote from Charlemagne, To have a second language is to posses another soul, hit me. So true, so simple, so profound. Thank you, I had never heard that before.
Yes, respect is key. It opens so many doors.
Respect yes, no offense but we are not gonna tell expats "hey you are in Mexico now! You must speak spanish!" we understand we have many lovely people visiting us and decide to start a life in Mexico and we will help them feel home, some of our main aspects of our culture is home and union and family, we hope people from around the world feel like home
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
What about learning other languages??
Not a lot of people speaking languages other than Spanish or English in Mexico (maybe excluding places like CDMX or Monterey.)
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Well, there are French Canadians and also a lot of German folks here...in central Mexico, anyway.
There’s no end to studying the culture and history of Mexico. The museum where we were has programs about the indigenous languages, and if you were here, they could probably point you to communities or individuals who could teach you more. On the street here in La Paz, it’s pretty much Spanish though with Mexicans who do speak English often wanting to practice their English with us. Really nice vibe.
@@RedSpiralHandTV💯
Do u need FMM if u only in mex to stay near the border ?????
It seems that currently, you need an FMM anywhere in Mexico, even near the border. If you're staying less than 7 days, it's free.
But I think enforcement is pretty limited.
Even if just knowing when someone is smiling and swearing at you it can be useful. PS I can vouch for Nova Scotia. But for me the #1 reason to learn your "hosts" language is usually "natives" will help you IF you try. I don't know about John... A willingness to learn ? To actually listen AND learn? My gawd where'd he find the room for more learning? Very good Mr B. A most important subject. P n D
Thanks Dave. Maybe I should do a video about key words to know (beyond cerveza and baño.) Things like "pinche gringo..."
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I'm sure there are harsher words used to describe gringo's beyond White Person. i.e. El burro sabe mas que tu or Eres tanfeo/a que hiciste lloran a una ceboll or even Pendejo. Or worse. lol
PS bano ? Yes I want to know where it is and if I need TP.
@@davebaker489 Best to assume you need your own TP. Then you don't need to learn the tense that would apply to, "if I were to use the bathroom, would I need my own TP." Pam can explain the conjugation...
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Yes she could... but would I listen? And I guess that's what purses are for. TP dispensers that is.
👍
Just be willing to look like a blithering idiot sometimes! I call it my "cavewoman Spanish", LOL.
BTW, for forms and signage Google Translate for images is PRICELESS! We've used it for everything from museum signage to forms at the doctor's office.
That’s a great tip! Actually two great tips!!
Looking like a blithering idiot is good for the soul!
Because in México we speak spanish
Como les gusta hacerse pend. a los gringos