Why most U.S tourists in Mexico can't speak Spanish, and most Europeans in Mexico Speak fluent Spanish?

Question

Is it an educational or a political problem or social phenomenon?

Answer 1

I am Mexican, I agree that tourists do not need to speak Spanish. However this difference beetween US Citizens and Europeans just makes obvious that Europeans use to be more cosmopolitans and educated than most North Americans. And even mexicans usually speak more languages than US citizens (I speak 4 and understand other 5 languages)

Answer 2

There are two major factors influencing this phenomenon. First of all, the distance for the average European to travel to Mexico is considerably larger than that of the average American, as is the expense to do so. Therefore, the motivation to travel to the country, and to learn about it's culture and language is also higher or they wouldn't bother. Americans can travel there for a day, do whatever they're going to do, and leave. Therefore, there are many more "casual tourists" who haven't taken the time to study the language and culture.
The second influencing factor is the mentality of the typical American towards language and other cultures. Where most Europeans are multilingual and are relatively more interested in learning about other cultures, Americans only speak one language and feel that the only culture worth appreciation is their own. Therefore they generally don't want to learn another language or study another culture, especially one that they despise as much as that of Mexico.

Answer 3

Many Europeans are bi- or trilingual. For example, Swedes. Sweden has a great standard of living (see http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_chi_pov-economy-child-poverty if you don't believe me) , and they really don't have a need to migrate, but the vast majority of them speak excellent English, and a large portion of them also know German & French. But I say it again, they don't have a compelling need to emigrate.
Americans, on the other hand, think that they'll degrade themselves by learning another language.
Your question: "Is it an educational, political or social phenomon?" Answer: It's all three.
American children are drilled into their head that the U.S. was the very first democracy in the whole world and that this is the most free, happiest nation on earth. As a result, Americans (often unconsciously) assume their culture is better than others, so they figure: "We're the pinnacle of civilization; it's foreigners who should copy us". This subsequently bleeds into politics and social values.
Not all Americans are that way, but it's the ones with the insular attitude that make themselves get heard the most.

Answer 4

They speak Spanish in Mexico? I thought they spoke Mexican which is alot like English, but with a different accent. My friend from Mexico, Speedy Gonzalas, came to visit one time during our local Cheese Festival and all he could speak was Mexican and except for a few works I could pretty much understand everything he said.

Answer 5

Most people in most countries of Europe are multi-lingual, due to the close proximity of neighboring countries. Most of the nations have 3, 4 or 5 national languages, and the children learn them from an early age.

The US has been a single language country, and given the large geography and general acceptance of English in many countries, there is not the same demand for Americans to have to learn to be multi-lingual.

I have seen many tourists in the US who don't speak English, and I hardly hold that against them. And, don't underestimate Americans... many people CAN speak multiple languages...I do.

Answer 6

In Europe and Mexico we mostly speak our native language, a second one=English ( the easiest universal business language) , and a third one.
In Mexico many people speak Nahuatl, Spanish and English, some others speak French , Italian or German.
In Veneto, Puebla, people speak Italian and Spanish, and many indigenous communities speak their native language and Spanish.
In the cities almost everybody speak a little bit of English.
Shame on American monolinguals!
I am Mexicano. Ciao.

Answer 7

I think it has to do with how often another language is used in normal life. In Europe, it is common to go to a country where another language is spoken. In the US, we can travel much further and English is still spoken. Europeans go what would be equivalent to a state for us, and they are surrounded by another language. Americans don't have that. I don't think it has to do with unwillingness. Those actually living in another country, they either learn or are just unwilling to learn.

Answer 8

If they are living in Mexico they should be speaking the language

Answer 9

I've got Spanish friends who speak perfect, native Castilian Spanish. They find most Mexicans almost incomprehensible because Mexicans don't speak real Spanish.

Answer 10

There is no motivation to learn a foreign language when you're just visiting another country. I'll never speak spanish because I have no need or desire to do it, simple as that.

The illegal aliens that we criticize are doing a lot more than visiting, and they're the uninvited guests who've way overstayed their welcome. It doesn't make sense to even compare the two.