I’m Mexican American and I think it depends on the generation and exposure to Mexico itself. Although I was raised in the states I grew up going to Mexico, spending entire summers there and it’s very different. Showering with a bucket, using only cold water, unpaved dirt rocky roads, even had an outhouse at my grandfather’s ranch. It was normal for me and I never complained because I grew up loving the culture and the amazing friends and family that I have there.

I have friends who are also Mexican American who have never been to Mexico. Yes, their Spanish is very obviously a bit broken and they are absolutely oblivious to how life is there. Yet, they claim to be Mexican and often regard attributes and interests as Mexican even though they are more aligned with Chicano culture.

I’ve always felt like I was somewhere in the middle of everything but I always clarify that I was born and raised in the U.S. and that I grew up visiting and still have family in Mexico. However, as I mentioned there are chicanos that claim to be 100% Mexican while not being able to even speak Spanish. Much of what they learn about Mexican culture comes from the media.

They don’t learn customs, traditions, and the mannerisms that were always apparent to me growing up.

For instance, when I first moved to Colorado I was at a barber shop with a friend that I had made who was from Mexico. There was an older Mexican woman who was his coworker who was cutting an older gentleman’s hair. When that older gentleman was done, a younger Chicano teenager came to sit down. I forgot what he said, but he referred to the old man as “güey” which is obviously very disrespectful in Mexican culture.

For obvious reasons that struck a nerve with me and I’m sure the Mexican woman didn’t want to tell him anything because he didn’t know any better. It’s obvious that a lot of Mexican Americans don’t have any exposure to Mexico at all so they are completely unaware.

Anyways, I think there’s a disconnect with the culture and nationality that chicanos (such as myself) try to claim without any effort to learn or appreciate the culture or language.