Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans (Interact Series) [Paperback]

John C. Condon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Interact Series | Publication Date: November 1, 1997

Although linked by powerful economic, political, and cultural ties, the citizens of the United States and Mexico differ immensely in what they believe and how they behave.In this revised edition of Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans, John Condon sorts through these differences, blending historical facts and practical advice for U.S. citizens. Learn how people from both Mexico and the U.S. assess each other and how they differ in terms of age, gender, sense of individualism and identity, verbal and nonverbal behavior, the importance of family, the appreciation of time, and more.A great primer for those communicating with Mexicans on a personal or professional level, Good Neighbors helps foster good relationships between residents on both sides of the border.Rarely do books grow in importance in their subsequent editions. John Condon's Good Neighbors is one that increases in value for our times. This brief text does not deal exhaustively with all the facets of Mexican culture, but it does sort out and address in real depth critical historical, social, and practical facets of Mexican culture, illuminating where our values and communication styles run afoul of each other. It contrasts Mexican culture brilliantly with that of the 'norteamericanos' and shows how the differences set the scene for misunderstandings on the personal level as well as in political and economic affairs. Rooted in solid historical fact, Good Neighbors dissolves our assumptions about Mexico and its people and about the U.S.A. and assists us with insights and information that can make a difference in how we deal with each other.-George Simons, Ph.D., Cultural Diversity at Work Newsletter ContentsForeword to the First EditionPreface to the Second EditionPreface to the First EditionIntroduction1 The Role of History2 Taking Stock of One Another3 Varieties of Individualism, North and South4 The Supreme Importance of the Family5 Sex Roles and Sexuality6 In Mexico Differences Make a Difference7 The Truth and Nothing But... But...8 A Manner of Speaking9 North Americans Are Corpses!10 Actions Speak Louder than Words11 Time12 Special Concerns of Managers13 Conclusion14 Some Practical AdviceRecommended Readings

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John C. Condon is a cross-cultural communication specialist who has lived in Mexico and studied Mexican culture extensively. Dr. Condon teaches at the University of New Mexico and is the author of a number of highly regarded books, including An Introduction to Intercultural Communication (with Fathi Yousef) and With Respect to the Japanese.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 2nd Edition edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864536
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864537
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How different we really are!, April 26, 2000

By 

"soondoboo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans (Interact Series) (Paperback)

Having traveled back and forth from the States to Mexico on numerous occasions I have found Condon's book very helpful in aiding in my understanding of the Mexican culture and mindset. Whether it be Christian short term missionaries or business men his analysis of the culture is very insightful. The past is what propels Mexicans while the future pulls us Americans forward. Mexicans have a much larger inclusive concept for the family than we Americans do. Mexicans also have two views of truth: Objective and interpersonal. Their speech is also more emotive than ours. Their concepts of time are also very different. These are just a few of the new things that can be learned from reading this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slim but knowledgeable, January 17, 2005

By 

George F. Simons "at diversophy.com" (Mandelieu Napoule, Cote d'Azur, France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans (Interact Series) (Paperback)

Rarely do books grow in importance in their subsequent editions. John Condon's Good Neighbors: is one that increases in value for our times. No one who looks at the demographics and traffic between Mexico and the US can underestimate the impact that these two nations will have on each other in the coming century. How important it is for of both sides of the border to discard their biases and to be accurately informed about each other!

I am not tempted to call this scant 88-page text "an overview." True, it does not deal exhaustively with all facets of Mexican culture, but it does sort out and address in real depth, critical historical, social and practical facets of Mexican culture pertinent to our understanding of where our values and communication styles run afoul of each other. It contrasts Mexican culture brilliantly with that of the Norteamericanos and shows how they set the scene for misunderstandings both on the personal and individual levels as well as in political and economic affairs.

Rooted in solid historical fact, Good Neighbors brilliantly dissolves our assumptions about Mexico and its people and about the US in that stormy relationship and assists us with insights and information that can make a difference in how we deal with each other. Particularly noteworthy in this second edition is Condon's treatment of diversity trends in the US and how their potential to intensify certain cultural differences, e.g., around gender, rather than create acceptance and understanding.

Good Neighbors is a good read, its depth belied by its slimness.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read, Full of Substance, February 12, 2005

By 

David Brown (Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Good Neighbors: Communicating with the Mexicans (Interact Series) (Paperback)

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the "mystery and romance" of Mexico, this book is not for you. This is a practical analysis of Mexican culture, as it compares with North American culture, geared slightly toward the needs and interests of persons doing business there. Much of it is actually a sort of "Cliff Notes" version of the great work by Octavio Paz, The Labyrinth of Solitude, and that book is quoted frequently. I have traveled to Mexico many times and am married to a person of Mexican descent. I found the book very helpful in better understanding Mexicans, my Mexican-American relatives, and myself.