Trick or Treating

My son is 8. Where is the best place for kids to trick or treat in Zihaut?

Trick or treating is not a Mexican tradition.

Thank you for the reply. I have been living in Mexico for the past 8 years and have lived in Puebla, Acapulco, and here. In Puebla it was popular and in Acapulco in the Zocalo as well. I'm going to guess that it happens here as well. I'll report back on Wednesday.

The kids'll be jalogüineando in both the centro comercial area of Ixtapa and in first block of the old Centro de Zihuatanejo area including the waterfront. Since the kids here don't even know the date for "jalogüín", they'll be doing it for more than one night. While it isn't a local custom or tradition, foreigners, U.S. TV and movies, mass marketing and folks from the cities have brought it here, but it is not understood very well. The kids only know that if they dress up and carry a bag or a plastic jack-o-lantern some restaurants and stores may give them candy and the gringos will probably give them money. That's what jalogüín is to Zihuatanejo kids. Deborah's Restaurant in Ixtapa is having a special dinner, and she usually gets lots of kids passing by, so it's a good staging area for parents.

Over the past 10 years, here in Troncones I have seen kids dressed up any time between October 31 and November 2. Some years there have been none. Other years there have been up to a half-dozen groups of three to five kids. Sometimes it has been in the evening, but other times it has been during the day. Beforeb10 years ago, I never saw them.

I confess to feeling torn. On one hand, I don’t like to disappoint children. On the other hand, I don’t want to participate in the erosion of Mexican customs and traditions of this time of year and their replacement by what I see as mere crass commercialism.

I know the argument that it is going to happen regardless of what I do, so I might as well participate. But I reject that argument when it comes to consuming climate-changing fossil fuels and I tend to reject it about participating in the destruction of Mexican culture and traditions as well.

(By the way, I enjoy seeing the spelling of “Jalogüín”, although I will be challenged remembering it. I do remember trying to figure out a sign years ago over a little “shack restaurant” in Sonora… Quentuki Pollo Frito. It didn’t have a picture of a southern “Colonel”.)

"The kids only know that if they dress up and carry a bag or a plastic jack-o-lantern some restaurants and stores may give them candy and the gringos will probably give them money. That's what jalogüín is to Zihuatanejo kids." Yep , that is all there is to it. Well unless you can get your GF to do the sex nurse outfit and leave the party early.

Yep , that is all there is to it. Well unless you can get your GF to do the sex nurse outfit and leave the party early.

Teens - Sneak out of bed to go to a party. Leave early to get back into your own bed.

20s - Go to a party. Stay late, hoping to be able to get into some else’s bed.

30s - Go to a party. Hope to be able to leave early with someone who wore a sexy nurse outfit and get into their bed.

40s - Get the kids into bed. Go to a party. Come home early so you don’t have to pay the babysitter a premium.

50s - Hear theres a party. Stay at home and keep checking to make sure your kids are still in their beds.

60s - Go to a party. Try to sneak out early to get into your own bed.

70s - Go to a party. Don’t have to leave early. A “Celebration of Life” is always in the afternoon.

80s - The party is at your place. The nurse isn’t sexy, but you are glad they are there, just in case they are needed.

Sorry to hear that the celebration of life is always in the afternoon for the 70 yr old youngsters. However it is better than no celebration of life . Hoping I can be surprised by sexy nurse when I am 80 which after all is the new 60s!

At 80, you don’t want to be too surprised.

And you don’t want to be like the car-chasing dog who catches one, then can’t do anything with it.

I was almost 70 when I stopped working. I told my financial planner and physician that I plan to have a heathspan of 98-99 and a lifespan of 100.

My physician said that when they started practice patients said they hoped to live to 80. Then 15 years ago patients started talking about living to 90. Now my physician is dealing with people like me.

My financial planner wants me to have a big estate when I die. I want to live well, and have the cheque for my funeral bounce.

(Actually, I am an organ donor. Then my body is going to an academic facility for teaching how to do surgeries. Then they have to dispose of whatever is left.)

(Actually, I am an organ donor. Then my body is going to an academic facility for teaching how to do surgeries. Then they have to dispose of whatever is left.)

On my donor card, it says, "You better be sure I am dead before taking anything!"

On my donor card, it says, "You better be sure I am dead before taking anything!"

I’m planning to live long enough that there isn’t anything anyone would want. Well, maybe some electronic neural circuits for reuse or metal parts for recycling.

Hundreds and hundreds of children and adults in costume and many businesses handing out candy to trick or treaters last night in el centro. I guess it has become a tradition in Mexico despite it being a highly commercialized holiday in the US. Thanks for all of your valuable input.

Hundreds and hundreds of children and adults in costume and many businesses handing out candy to trick or treaters last night in el centro. I guess it has become a tradition in Mexico despite it being a highly commercialized holiday in the US. Thanks for all of your valuable input.

Lots of local families don't participate because it is NOT a Mexican tradition, much less a local one. It has been imposed on locals, first by foreigners, later by bars and mass marketing. It appears more important to the adults than to the children.

Adults from other places brought Halloween to Zihuatanejo, and when it was pointed out to them that we didn't celebrate it here, they disregarded local custom, some to increase the sales of alcohol at their establishments, others simply because of the arrogance U.S. citizens are so well known for around the world. Last night was no exception.

While children no doubt enjoyed the FREE SUGAR-FILLED CANDY, something Mexico as a nation is trying to change due to high levels of diabetes, obesity and Covid-19 deaths, the adults continued partying long after the children had gone, including loud drunks and motorcyclists who rode around downtown Zihuatanejo until 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning making as much noise as they could, and insulting anyone who asked them to be more quiet.

To those of us who observe Día de los Angelitos on November 1st, remembering deceased children in their family as our family does, last night was extremely rude and disrespectful.

I would hope that you as a relative newcomer would care more about local tradition and sentiment. By imposing foreign customs on locals that are seen as disrespectful, foreigners create animosity and can expect more phony smiles instead of sincere ones when dealing with locals, something that adds up as the years go by. Mexicans are very proud of their customs and traditions, and many Mexicans see Halloween as a disrespectful attack on their culture. Others are just fine with any excuse for a party, and others with any excuse to entertain their children.

Our attempt for a nice breakfast and memorable discussion, laugh and tears of loved ones passed was ruined by drunk Canadian tourists.

A party of 4 arrived and the linger of post over consumption of alcohol was in the air as they walked by. This followed obnoxious loud comments and mimosas for their party.

Our dear friend who is a waiter at this restaurant asked if we could interpret as they were drunk and made no sense as to what they were ordering.

Simply to help our friend I attempted to assist with their order. Unfortunately their insistence that "sopes" means "soup" to them was a quick and waste of time discussion.

I apologized to our friend and he politely called it a festive "mood".

We ate our meal and spoke with the owner and what has become familiar faces/friends and each commented on the disrespectful behavior of that "party".

It was a sad example of tourist feeling entitled.

I just returned from a friend's residence in the La Noria neighborhood where we enjoyed coffee, pan de muertos and smiles and tears of our friends who have passed.

What a contrast!

I shared my morning experience with my Zanka friends and they asked me why I was shocked of such behavior.

A "holiday" is not a tradition or a culture.

A tradition and culture is passed down from generation to generation and is respected.

Hola.
Sure the Halloween tradition was inherited from the USA and Canada, but it was turned into a three day celebration by Mexico. It was a one night thing up north.

Yep , that is all there is to it. Well unless you can get your GF to do the sex nurse outfit and leave the party early.

Teens - Sneak out of bed to go to a party. Leave early to get back into your own bed.

20s - Go to a party. Stay late, hoping to be able to get into some else’s bed.

30s - Go to a party. Hope to be able to leave early with someone who wore a sexy nurse outfit and get into their bed.

40s - Get the kids into bed. Go to a party. Come home early so you don’t have to pay the babysitter a premium.

50s - Hear theres a party. Stay at home and keep checking to make sure your kids are still in their beds.

60s - Go to a party. Try to sneak out early to get into your own bed.

70s - Go to a party. Don’t have to leave early. A “Celebration of Life” is always in the afternoon.

80s - The party is at your place. The nurse isn’t sexy, but you are glad they are there, just in case they are needed.

Time for some classic Woody Allen:

Interviewer: "Do you hope to achieve immortality through your work?"

Woody: "No, I hope to achieve immortality by not dying."

Hola.
Sure the Halloween tradition was inherited from the USA and Canada, but it was turned into a three day celebration by Mexico. It was a one night thing up north.

Yes, 3 days of Jalogüín party hearty mentality, especially in tourist destinations, where lots of alcohol is involved, instead of the respectfulness, solemnity and reverence of Día de Muertos. Thanks, but no gracias.

Finallly it wasnt a drunk American tourist.

Finallly it wasnt a drunk American tourist.

Careful. Canadians are Americans, too. We're ALL Americans from Tierra del Fuego to the Northern Territories and Greenland.

When did the North American passport become available? Until then I am Canadian .

When did the North American passport become available? Until then I am Canadian .

Yes, you are. You're also an American. So are Mexicans, Chileans and Panamanians.

The U.S. passport lists their nationality as Unites States of America. The "America" part is the continent we all live in.

You are welcome to call yourself whatever you like. I will follow the national protocol from where I was born . You do your thing.

You are welcome to call yourself whatever you like. I will follow the national protocol from where I was born . You do your thing.

Africans are Africans. Asians are Asians. Europeans are Europeans. And YOU and I are AMERICANS. Yeah, call yourself whatever you like. It's not about doing my thing. It's called GEOGRAPHY. You seem to have your nationality confused with the CONTINENT you live on. Not a damn thing at all to do with "national protocol" because no NATION is involved.

You are welcome to call yourself whatever you like. I will follow the national protocol from where I was born . You do your thing.

Africans are Africans. Asians are Asians. Europeans are Europeans. And YOU and I are AMERICANS. Yeah, call yourself whatever you like. It's not about doing my thing. It's called GEOGRAPHY. You seem to have your nationality confused with the CONTINENT you live on. Not a damn thing at all to do with "national protocol" because no NATION is involved.

Hola
So you consider yourself an American. You are not a citizen of the United Mexican States? Where I am from (Canada America) if I am called an American, it is an insult because the whole world (except you) associates that word to mean the USA.

You are welcome to call yourself whatever you like. I will follow the national protocol from where I was born . You do your thing.

Africans are Africans. Asians are Asians. Europeans are Europeans. And YOU and I are AMERICANS. Yeah, call yourself whatever you like. It's not about doing my thing. It's called GEOGRAPHY. You seem to have your nationality confused with the CONTINENT you live on. Not a damn thing at all to do with "national protocol" because no NATION is involved.

Hola
So you consider yourself an American. You are not a citizen of the United Mexican States? Where I am from (Canada America) if I am called an American, it is an insult because the whole world (except you) associates that word to mean the USA.

The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World.

This is not that hard!!!!!!!!!!

Hola
So you consider yourself an American. You are not a citizen of the United Mexican States? Where I am from (Canada America) if I am called an American, it is an insult because the whole world (except you) associates that word to mean the USA.

This is a very subtle and sensitive topic. The whole world does not automatically associate American with a U.S. citizen. However, for many, it is simply understood. As demonstrated by this conversation thread, the subtleties and misunderstandings can engender prickly responses.

I love the Spanish word for a United States citizen, estadounidense. If were to find a literal English equivalent, we would most likely say UnitedStater, as we might say someone from New York is a New Yorker. Speaking in English, when the situation arises that I need to specify my citizenship, I use the word UnitedStater and get odd and, at times, amused looks.

While I agree with Rob in principle that all folks living in the Americas are Americans, language doesn't always adhere to science. In Germany, folks that live in the United States are referred to as Amerikaner, in France Americains, in Holland Amerikaanse, it Italy Americanos, etc. What I find much more annoying is when people don't know the difference between LIE and LAY.

You are welcome to call yourself whatever you like. I will follow the national protocol from where I was born . You do your thing.

Africans are Africans. Asians are Asians. Europeans are Europeans. And YOU and I are AMERICANS. Yeah, call yourself whatever you like. It's not about doing my thing. It's called GEOGRAPHY. You seem to have your nationality confused with the CONTINENT you live on. Not a damn thing at all to do with "national protocol" because no NATION is involved.

Hola
So you consider yourself an American. You are not a citizen of the United Mexican States? Where I am from (Canada America) if I am called an American, it is an insult because the whole world (except you) associates that word to mean the USA.

@Victorio:

Yes, that is also my interpretation, as You noted at the end of your reply, that is the assumption & general understanding.

Though as the Spokesman pointed out, "technically speaking" it may be erroneous.
Ni modo.

"Be happy & don't worry"

Hola
So you consider yourself an American. You are not a citizen of the United Mexican States? Where I am from (Canada America) if I am called an American, it is an insult because the whole world (except you) associates that word to mean the USA.

This is a very subtle and sensitive topic. The whole world does not automatically associate American with a U.S. citizen. However, for many, it is simply understood. As demonstrated by this conversation thread, the subtleties and misunderstandings can engender prickly responses.

I love the Spanish word for a United States citizen, estadounidense. If were to find a literal English equivalent, we would most likely say UnitedStater, as we might say someone from New York is a New Yorker. Speaking in English, when the situation arises that I need to specify my citizenship, I use the word UnitedStater and get odd and, at times, amused looks.

@Padrino

Excellent reply.

The Estadounidense term should also be used instead of the terms gringo, gabacho, etcétera,
though the use of that terminology is too ingrained to change it.

Though Yes, preguntando al mesero si tienen una salsa para los Gringos would be good, (meaning una salsa menos picante, si no una que no pica).

When I'm asked the usual pregunta, "where are you from"?
I say: southern California.
Done deal y punto.

The Estadounidense term should also be used instead of the terms gringo, gabacho, etcétera, though the use of that terminology is too ingrained to change it.

I love calling myself a gringo, especially when I ask how picante is the salsa.

"Donde esta la salsa de gringo? Soy gringo."

Or when they say that the salsa is media or poca picante, I respond, "Pues, media para los mexicanos o media para los gringos?"

While I agree with Rob in principle that all folks living in the Americas are Americans, language doesn't always adhere to science.

Yes. It is easy to get caught up in technicalities that do not reflect daily realities. I know it is easy because I get caught up in it sometimes.

Take “fruits” and “vegetables”.

One of the vegetables one might commonly buy is tomatoes. But tomatoes are not vegetables, they are fruits. Maybe you make a sandwich with tomatoes and another “vegetable”, the avocado. But avocados aren’t vegetables either; the avocado is a fruit too.

Maybe you decide to have some berries after your sandwich. But you’ve already had a berry; the avocado fruit is botanically a berry. You ignore that and decide to have some strawberries. Oops, strawberries aren’t berries; they are pseudocarps.

You give up on having berries and have a banana, with some nuts. Except that botanically, a banana is a berry. And the cashews you add are not nuts, they are drupes, and the peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes.

You get frustrated by all of this and try to explain it to your “American” friend who was born and raised in Vancouver and carries a Canadian passport. When you tell him he is American he takes offence and says,

“Next you will tell me that the president of France is not “French” but is instead “European” like the chancellor of Germany who is not “German” but “European”!”.

I love calling myself a gringo, especially when I ask how picante is the salsa.

"Donde esta la salsa de gringo? Soy gringo."

I only understand a little Spanish, but that sounds like "where is the salsa made of gringo", rather than "where is the salsa for a gringo".

I love calling myself a gringo, especially when I ask how picante is the salsa.

"Donde esta la salsa de gringo? Soy gringo."

I only understand a little Spanish, but that sounds like "where is the salsa made of gringo", rather than "where is the salsa for a gringo".

Oh, so that's why they laugh louder than I expect.

It is easy to get caught up in technicalities that do not reflect daily realities. I know it is easy because I get caught up in it sometimes.

Everyone has their idiosyncrasies, even discussion forum hosts.

Just don’t tell them next time that you are “embarazada”.

America is a pretty respectable place.
'Murica, on the other hand...kind of like the blonde Bewitched versus
the brunette.

Exactly voice of reason. I guess Rob determined that’s the Drunks were actually Americans, so i am all good.