Local Customs & Etiquette in Guadalajara, Mexico

1. Tipping in Restaurants

Around 10-15% tip is expected at restaurants. Waiters often round up the bill to include it.

Expected Amount: Tipping around 10-15% is common.
Rounding Up: Waiters often round up the bill to include a tip.
Service Charge: Some restaurants might already add a service charge, so check your bill before leaving extra.

Formal events and offices often require smart casual or business attire. Jeans may not be appropriate.

Smart Casual vs Business Attire: Understand the difference between smart casual and business attire.
Jeans Acceptability: Jeans might not be considered appropriate for formal settings.
Climate Considerations: Consider the warm climate when choosing your attire.

A handshake is common when meeting someone for the first time. Familiar friends may greet with a kiss on the cheek.

Handshakes vs Kisses: Understand when to use a handshake or a kiss.
Formal vs Informal Greetings: Greeting style depends on the level of familiarity between people.
Gender Considerations: Men typically greet men with a handshake, while women and men might greet each other with a kiss.

Punctuality is expected in formal settings. In informal gatherings, there might be some flexibility.

Formal vs Informal Time Expectations: Expect punctuality in formal settings but allow for some flexibility in informal gatherings.
Traffic Conditions: Consider the heavy traffic conditions when planning your travel time.
Public Transportation Delays: Plan for potential delays when using public transportation.

Bargaining is common and expected in markets. Start your offer low to allow for negotiation.

Starting Offer: Start your offer low as bargaining is expected.
Politeness in Bargaining: Maintain a polite and friendly attitude during the bargaining process.
Final Price: Expect to pay around half of the initial asking price as your final price.

Important public holidays include Independence Day (Sept. 16) and Revolution Day (Nov. 20). Many businesses close during these days.

Independence Day: Expect many businesses to be closed on Sept. 16.
Revolution Day: Expect many businesses to be closed on Nov. 20.
Other Public Holidays: Some other public holidays might also cause business closures, so check ahead.

Street vendors are common and sell a variety of goods. It's important to haggle and check the quality of items.

Haggling: Always negotiate prices with street vendors.
Quality Assurance: Check the quality of items before purchasing from street vendors.
Health and Safety Concerns: Be aware of potential health and safety risks associated with street food.

During Day of the Dead (Nov. 1-2), families visit graves to pay respects and celebrate loved ones who have passed away.

Grave Visits: Visiting graves is a common practice during Day of the Dead.
Offerings: Families often leave offerings such as food, drinks, and marigolds at gravesites.
Public Parades: There are usually public parades and festivities to celebrate the day.

When tasting tequila, it's customary to clink glasses before drinking. Swallow the tequila in one go.

Clinking Glasses: Clink your glasses together before drinking.
Tequila Consumption: Swallow tequila in one go instead of sipping slowly.
Licking Salt and Taking Lime: Lick salt and take a slice of lime after drinking the tequila to help with the taste.

Taxis are widely available, but Uber is also popular. Make sure to agree on the price before starting your journey.

Taxi Availability: Taxis are easy to find, but Uber is also a popular option.
Price Agreement: Agree on the price before starting your journey in a taxi.
Safety Considerations: Stay aware of your surroundings and choose reliable transportation options.

The Mariscos market offers fresh seafood. It's important to check the quality and negotiate prices.

Quality Assurance: Always check the quality of the seafood.
Haggling: Negotiate prices with vendors at the Mariscos market.
Food Safety: Be mindful of food safety when purchasing and consuming seafood.

Learn how to make traditional tortillas at workshops. It's a fun and cultural experience.

Cultural Experience: Participating in a tortilla-making workshop offers a unique cultural experience.
Tortilla Making Techniques: Learn traditional techniques for making tortillas.
Local Ingredients: Use fresh, local ingredients to make authentic tortillas.

Telenovelas are popular and broadcast daily. They're a big part of Mexican culture and can be found on TV and streaming platforms.

Cultural Impact: Telenovelas play a significant role in Mexican culture.
Daily Schedules: Telenovelas are typically broadcast daily at specific times.
Streaming Platforms: Catch up on missed episodes by streaming telenovelas online.

Guadalajara is known for its Palenque, a local rum made from sugarcane. It's customary to drink it neat or on the rocks.

Drinking Customs: Palenque is typically drunk neat or on the rocks.
Local Production: Palenque is made locally from sugarcane.
Tasting Experiences: Visit a local distillery to learn about and taste the different types of Palenque.

Mariachi bands are a traditional Mexican music ensemble. They can be found at events and restaurants throughout Guadalajara.

Traditional Music: Mariachi bands play traditional Mexican music.
Event Entertainment: Book a Mariachi band for your event to add an authentic touch.
Restaurant Atmosphere: Listen to Mariachi bands while dining at traditional Mexican restaurants.