Mexican Customs

Knowledge and respect of the mexican customs will help you fit in and get the most out of your visit. Mexican people attach great importance to courtesy.'Por favor' and 'Gracias' ('please' and 'thank you') are essential phrases in Mexico. You will be considered rude if you omit these niceties. 'Con permiso' is another vital phrase. It means 'with your permission' ('excuse me') and is said when you need to divert your attention from the person with whom you are chatting, when you must cross in front of somebody, or when you must interrupt a person who is speaking.
Shaking hands gently is expected when you meet someone. When you enter and leave a room you should shake hands with everyone there.
when you order in a restaurant. Before you order the waitress will bring you a cup of water and the menu. After the waitress comes the second time, you can order, and after the waitress serves, you can start eating. Ten to fifteen percent is acceptable for waiters and tour guides - anyone who provides a service for you.

Women are expected to keep their voices low. Calling to someone across the street or talking from table to table in a restaurant is considered rude, as is raucous laughter. Women do not go out alone at night. While this custom is changing, it has not changed enough yet to make it safe.

Be quiet in church.

Some churches prefer you do not enter unless dressed with shoulders and legs covered. Also check before taking photographs, some want to protect their art work from flash photography damage. Flashes are prohibited at public performances like Ballet Folklórico.
Bargaining is part of the Mexican culture. It is much more than an exchange of goods and services for money ... it is an important social interchange between two people. It is a unique, and very enjoyable, custom.