In Defense of the Double Negative in Spanish
While some might insist otherwise, in Spanish, double negatives are valid when referring to the absence of people and things
Discover Mexico Lifestyle
Discover lifestyles in Mexico and why so many people are choosing Mexico as a place to live and retire
Discover lifestyles in Mexico and why so many people are choosing Mexico as a place to live and retire
Two Stories that Convey the Spirit & Attitude of Mexico City
Foreign Native discovers two books by a contemporary Mexican novelist which capture the spirit & attitude of Mexico City
Manuel Payno: A 19th Century Mexican Novelist
One of the less well-known of Mexico's writers, but well worth reading, is Manuel Payno, whose works bring post-Independence Mexico vividly to life
Animal Names in Spanish: Crowing About Nomenclature
One of the most rewarding, and frequently neglected, parts of learning another language is finding out the names of the different animals
Tres Tristes Tigres and Other Spanish Tongue Twisters
When Mexicans make fun of Anglo-Saxon efforts at speaking Spanish, they usually focus on the flat r's and incorrect verb conjugations
Fundamental, My Dear Watson
People who attend conferences in Mexico will have discovered that they aren't much different here than anywhere else...
¿A Donde Hablo? —versus— ¿Quien Habla?
The phone rings when you weren't expecting a call. ¿A dónde hablo? (where am I calling?) comes a sharp, testy voice
Experiences Past & Present: Going to the Movies in Mexico
Foreign Native reflects on the changing habits and habitats for film-watching in Mexico, and how the movie-going experience here has changed over the years
Sanborns: Mexico’s Eclectic Department Store
Sanborns stores offer a unique shopping experience and its restaurants provide an oasis of refreshment amidst a casual diner-style setting
The Mother of All Expressions in Mexican Spanish
Mexico's widespread use of a word whose English equivalents have nothing to do with matriarchal figures
When It’s Not Working: Out of Order, Useless—or Both?
In Mexico there are two ways of letting people know that something isn't working properly; they are interchangeable, with some exceptions
RNE Procedure to Apply for Residency in Mexico is Closed
Under a former RNE procedure holders of an expired visitor permit could apply for residency in Mexico. The program was closed in May 2025.
