How do I know it’s a “no”?

A comprehensive guide for foreigners

Published November 27, 2024

Mexicans are famous for their polite social graces and good humor. Unfortunately, they’re also known for a strong aversion to saying “no,” or saying anything negative at all.

But what one sees as polite omission, another might take as flat-out lying. Being polite while also communicating what you mean can be a tricky balancing act, it’s true. And for those of us from more direct cultures, it’s downright opaque. Why would someone just not say what they mean?

Nothing is as simple as it seems, I suppose. Still, there are plenty of recognizable broad strokes we can examine here.

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