Intercultural communication between people of different cultural background has remained an important precondition of human co-existence in the world. It is not cultures that communicate but people with different backgrounds do communicate. Culture refers to the characteristics common to particular group individuals that are learned and not given by nature (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Culture involves values, traditions, and beliefs that are shared by certain people. It is therefore important to consider more than clothes people wear, the movies people watch and the video games individuals play. Culture can, therefore, be defined as a complex system if traits, morals, and values. More so, culture teaches people to behave and still directs people on how they should react (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Culture also acts as a powerful operating force that molds the way people think and behave. It also involves the psychological aspect of what people expect from a communication context. Cultural communication can be classified into four groups which are cross-cultural communication, international communication, intercultural communication and intercultural communication.
There are broad issues related to cultural communications that one needs to consider before looking at the specifics of communicating with that specific person. Typically, the majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish where 93 %of the total population in Mexico speaks Spanish. The rest 6% speak indigenous languages such as Mayan, Nahuatl among other regional languages (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . As discussed earlier, Mexico has several traditions where there are few holidays which transcend the boundaries of specific areas in Mexico. Among the traditions is the independence day, day for the dead and Las Posadas.
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On religion, Mexicans are Roman Catholics. After the conquest by the Spanish, Mexico as a whole readily accepted Catholic beliefs and practices. The most commonly known food in Mexico is corn tortillas wrapped with small fish. Currently, the foods are filled with meat, cheese, seafood, and beans. Mexico society also is highly classist. This is because the way people view an individual will depend on the position they hold in that particular community and class one belongs to. People literally treat each other according to their class. Similarly, education and other opportunities also are determined by the class one belongs (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Typically, class according to Mexico culture is determined by the amount of wealth an individual has. Nevertheless, there are other cultural issues that make it impossible for an individual to rise in class even if they suddenly got money and wealth. On ethnicity, Mexican culture treats with respect the ethnic group that is acceptable but discriminate those that it does not. In Mexico, communication tends to be indirect and it is conveyed through non-verbal forms of communication (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Mostly, Mexicans will often disguise no in responses like maybe and will see. This form of communication aims at maintaining harmony and avoiding any form frustration to the receiver. The form of communication is important in Mexico when running a business because it is vital to take this approach as it helps in strengthening your business relationships.
Communication style in Mexico is different compared to other countries like Canada. This is because the personal distance is closer than that in other countries. In a social setting, a hug and kiss on the check are expected. Similarly, a casual touch on the shoulder or arm in Mexico is considered a sign of affection and not sexual harassment has it is in many nations. For business, it is important to observe individuals degree of comfort. A handshake is expected in any context. In Mexican culture, men shake hands as a greeting or when they are leaving. This is not the case in other different nations where men cannot shake hands. In Mexico, men can shake hands, for them as long time as they get to know each other. This is one of the Mexican cultures and it is considered respectful for to practice it (Koester, Lustig, 2015) .. This culture can be a problem from a businessman from a different culture who do not advocate for a long handshake. Besides, if a man is waiting for a woman, the man should not offer his hand first. The woman should offer her hand to the man as a sign of respect.
Additionally, unlike in nations in Africa where people engage in conversation in distance, Mexican culture advocates for close distance. Many people from different nation tend to ignore when they are touched on the arm or the shoulder. Other nations step back from someone. According to Mexican culture, if an individual step back from someone it is probably viewed as being unfriendly. Similarly, an individual withdraws when someone touches them on the arm or shoulder; it is considered insulting (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . From these facts, it is therefore important to understand that some of these non-verbal actions play a major role in Mexico culture.
Similarly, as discussed eye contact and a smile is very important in Mexico. This is because a low voice is considered as a sign of lack of interest. They accept a medium and loud voice. Mexicans also are not direct when they want to complain and ask a particular thing. In addition, on display of emotions is very common in Mexico. Mexicans are well known for their passion and they are pretty direct about their emotions like anger and happiness. Happiness in Mexico is commonly seen in the couple who kisses and cuddles as they walk along the streets (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . This is because most of these couples live on their parent’s roofs until they finish school. They, therefore, have little or no privacy and it is impossible to find a park bench free for smooching couples. As a result, they display their happiness as they walk down the streets. The same case happens during the sad times in the display of anger. Couples are expected to be seen causing drama in public.
Although many countries view kissing on the cheeks as immoral, Mexican culture views it as greetings. In Mexico, women kiss other women by kissing them on the check or touching them on their arms and or shoulders. Although countries like the United States allows this for opposite sex, Mexican culture does not allow women to greet men this way (Koester, Lustig, 2015) .. This is evident that the form of greetings differs according to countries cultural background. In Mexico, it is rude and impolite to have hands in pockets. Unlike many nations which view individuals with their hands in the pocket to be polite and maybe in the comfortable zone, an individual with hands in his or her pocket in Mexico is considered impolite and rude (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Nevertheless, like in many countries in the world, Mexican culture does not value direct eye contact as it is valued in the United States of America. In case a man has a prolonged eye contact with the man it is considered to be aggressiveness. The case is different in many nations where a man’s eye contact with a man has no any meaning. On the other hand, when a woman makes a prolonged direct eye contact, it is considered as flirting. This case is similar in many nations but portrays distinguished meanings. For example, in Asia, prolonged eye contact between men and a woman is considered as lust.
Although America values time very much, Mexico culture does not value time. American put measures and punishments for lateness, in Mexico time is very flexible and lateness is accepted as a normal occurrence. The culture allows schedules to give time frames but does not indicate the exact time (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Mexico culture allows giving of general time frame. For example, a meeting is scheduled at around lunchtime. This means that the meeting can be held even two hours after lunch. To make a good impression when one is meeting an individual from Mexico, the discussion topic should be their family. To open communication with a Mexican therefore, it is to treat them as the closest friend. One should talk about their feeling, family personal issues before anything else. Mexico culture also allows repetition of questions and individuals should show that they care about the well-being of the person (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Typically, the most acceptable method to know someone is t investigates their families.
According to Mexican culture, the interconnections of the individual and their family are a cornerstone of its culture and even if something was the wrong family always remain the source of pride. In most cases, Mexicans are often surprisingly open on things that affect their families (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . More so, it is significant to understand that while talking about people’s background one should not extend it to racial backgrounds. Although many people in the world tend to bring up native traditions, language, and arts because it might be interesting to them, Mexican culture does not allow digging deeper into power structure and wealth distribution. This is because the conversation will cut you off because many Mexicans are so defensive to race. On dress code, formality as well as punctuality, Mexicans usually dress formally than a country like Canada during work (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Mexico culture on work dress code does not allow blue jeans and sandals. Mexico culture tends to judge people on their looks. Women are expected to wear pantyhose and high heels, especially when working in an office or any learning institution. Similarly, women are allowed to wear makeup and have their hair done. In Mexico, a woman who shows up for work without makeup makes a bad impression.
On hierarchy and decision making in Mexico, decisions are made by the most powerful person in the hierarchy (Koester, Lustig, 2015 . For instance, the owner of an organization or firm is seen to the most powerful. Mexico culture, therefore, recommends individuals to go to their immediate supervisors for advice and the chain continues before making any decision. More so, on gender, class ethnicity and religion Mexican culture find it complex. On gender, it is the mother who is the most respected figure in the community. Similarly, it is male-dominated and women have influential positions although why earn lower than men (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . As discussed earlier, most of the people in Mexico are Roman Catholics and it is a very important aspect of life in people lives. This is common in a lower class and less educated, however, religious holidays should be respected.
Cultural communication can have a great impact on a society and a nation as a whole. It is important to have good intercultural communication not only on how people speak but also in the distribution of power, non-verbal communication as well as the dress code. Mexican culture has is distinguished from many nations cultures in the value of time, power distribution and eye contact (Koester, Lustig, 2015) . Asia, for example, considers prolonged eye contact between a male and female as a sign of lust. In Mexico, eye contact is important during business and a prolonged eye contact between a male and a female is considered flirting. Similarly, Mexican culture allows display of emotions in public.
References
Koester, J., & Lustig, M. W. (2015). Intercultural communication competence: Theory, measurement, and application. International Journal of Intercultural Relations , 48 , 20-21.
