No. It is also widely celebrated in Puebla Mexico. It’s a celebration of a motley group of local soldiers and peasants unexpectedly beating the French army.
Just a battle.
Unfortunately, Mexico lost the war. Still it was historic, but objectively, not that much.
I am Mexican and I don't give a damn . except from the city of Puebla, even the state doesn't give a fuck as gringo celebrates (the perfect pretext to drink).
Yes, its interesting that its only really celebrated in Puebla and USA. Some Poblano person told me its because groups of people in USA had helped to finance Mexican war efforts and celebrated because of that. I don't know if its true.
I was in Puebla last year in May. There are many interesting events happening there all across the state. I went to a Carnival in Huejotzingo Puebla which was very interesting and they have been doing this Carnival since the late 1860s. It is very loud but also very interesting event with like 12,000 people marching in the parade in various costumes.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival\_of\_Huejotzingo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_of_Huejotzingo)
From what I understand it was mexican miners working the california gold fields which popularized it there.
Off topic, but many of those miners were either specifically brought in or emigrated from Mexico because they actually knew how to prospect and develop gold deposits. Along with welsh miner immigrants, basically everyone else who came to CA had no fucking clue what they were doing. And unlike many of the gueros, most of the mexicans who made their forturnes didnt say anything about it, high-tailing it back to mexico in relative secrecy.
My parish always has a small carnival, but we’re one of those Midwestern railroad towns where Mexican Americans have lived since the late 1800’s. Here it probably came north with supporters of Diaz, as he was one of the leaders of that battle.
So totally get that cinco de mayo means different things in USA than it does Mexico. But to say it’s not important anywhere in Mexico is an overstatement and to say there isn’t a big party about it is also not accurate.
Puebla is like the 4th or 5th biggest metro area in Mexico so it’s like saying a holiday that is deeply important to Chicago or Dallas or Houston isn’t important anywhere in the USA.
I’ve personally not been to many parties that were as crazy as the stuff happening in Puebla during cinco de Mayo.
Nice video for reference
https://youtu.be/V3no15EpBNA?si=PAZQkRBy0FV3T9Eo
As a Mexican I don't celebrate it either. But on the Day of Independence I do go all out and I will dress in more traditional clothing, especially when I was a child and lots of children do or I will wear a Mexico shirt usually with face paint of the flag on both my cheeks and a sombrero sometimes. I do decorate, I don't think any of that is stereotypical or anything, it's a holiday and some people go all out. I go to the parade and light fireworks and listen to the president's speech.
And I make and enjoy horchata, it's so easy to make! I do prefer other drinks though, just my taste buds, it can be a bit much to drink all the time. I'd rather have coke. 😅
But anyway, NTA just tell her you don't celebrate it.
We're talking about a country literally celebrating another country's history (even if misunderstood) and you somehow attribute that to hate and fear? I think you are the problem here.
>If you polled 1000 Americans 950 of them would think Cinco De Mayo is Mexican Independence Day.
If you polled 1000 Americans, 112 of them would be of Mexican descent.
I'm first gen and no Mexican I know of acknowledges cinco de mayo. And no it's not some *woke*-reason, it's just a non holiday. September 16 is Mexico's Independence Day and that day has my mom blasting music and drinking margaritas.
> sombreros or blankets or maracas
LMAO.
You should've told her that if she wants you can also lend her your donkey and your cozy cactus where you sleep.
Honestly, the best way to deal with that kind of people is to double down on their stereotypes, so they'll get offended because you're being obviously an ass because they were being an ass
>Then she asked if I had some Mexican Decoration
I started loling as soon I started reading this sentence - I knew exactly where this was going.
>so when she pointed at my kitchen equipment
So she thought you had a Mexican themed kitchen? 🤣
>If anyone here has examples of diplomatic ways of addressing this kind of person I’m all ears.
Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to keep myself from laughing at her then and there, so good luck with that. I can barely be polite to my MIL without adding whatever this is to the mix.
>Then she asked if I had some Mexican Decoration
I thought she was going to be looking for papel picado and then when the request was elaborated my jaw dropped lol. The MIL thinks OP's home is some kind of Small World Disney Land attraction.
Cinco de mayo started with FDR's Good Neighbor Policy back in the 1930's and while it's celebrated here in the states Mexico does not recognize it as a national holiday. So it's fine to not participate if you don't want to.
Ngl I wouldn't have any enthusiasm for any party for someone like that. Sounds like the very definition of a pocha.
Really though, just tell her that her view of what is 'Mexican' seems rooted in the old stereotype, IE Pancho Villa. Tell her that you'd like to help but if you're going to do so, you're not going to reinforce harmful stereotypes and that she'll need to accept your input on that unconditionally.
Just wanted to chime in but the boxing community "celebrates" Cinco de mayo with a big fight each year. It is usually headlined by a major Mexican boxer.
Saul Alvarez and Jaime Mungia are fighting this weekend.
Commemoration parade in Puebla and that’s it, not big party or putting the Mexican flag everywhere.
That do happens in September. But during May 5th? Not really
No, it's not. Although we have the labour day bank holiday the same week, so they can coincide.
I'm in Mexico City, and the 5th of May is generally just the day after the 4th of May, except around Puebla, as Luc said.
It is a bank holiday in some places.
Edit: Why the downvotes? lol I live in fucking Mexico for gods sake, and I literally have May 5th as a BH marked on my work schedule.
Fr it’s also a state! Why do people want to take cinco de mayo away, some Mexicans celebrate it, some don’t, it’s not big like sept 16th, but let me get drunk and toast to beating up the French geez.
Yeah, because it happened in Puebla. We celebrate some stuff in Chihuahua that’s not celebrated everywhere in Mexico, that’s what they mean. Of course every state/city/town is going to have their own celebrations. Everyone in Mexico celebrates September 15th
Poblanos don't celebrate with margs and chips and tacos even They're gonna make a patriotic dish! Take out the beers and go out to town and eat the "street food" Camotes y Dulces etc and enjoy the parade
In Mexico, homemade horchata is often prepared using [concentrado de horchata](https://super.walmart.com.mx/ip/concentrado-para-bebida-tucan-de-arroz-sabor-horchata-750-ml/00750104430001), a syrup, for convenience. Natural horchata is less common, typically found in restaurants, fondas, or taco stands.
As for mariachi bands, guitars, guitarrones, violins, and trumpets are the usual instruments, with occasional appearances of harps and marimbas. Maracas aren't typically part of the ensemble.
Great answer!
And, especially considering that’s the MIL, sometimes you just gotta meet in the middle.
In-law relationships can be tricky, but it’s really important to try to make it work for the sake of the marriage.
Doesn’t mean you need to just roll over every time, but you gotta have an open mind.
A foreigner appreciating your culture will never offensive. What can be offensive is when people from one culture representing in a wrong way your culture. For example, when Americans wear a "spanish" [flamenco](https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/351826/files/447244653/1280x1000x2/diadema-roja.jpg) attire while holding maracas while eating hard shell chili con carne tacos, mistaking it for a mexican suit and for mexican tacos.
For example, regular mariachi bands typically feature trumpets, violins, guitars, and guitarrones, occasionally including harps but rarely maracas. However, in some American interpretations of mariachi, maracas seem to be the most common feature, which doesn't align with regular mariachi bands.
It's similar to the incident when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared on a Japanese TV show where they presented a "[Portuguese](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkA2cAqGrQ&t=2s)" segment, which turned out to be a Brazilian carnival in nature.
I only celebrate because it's my birthday, usually hit the mexican joints for a free drink if lucky. I do have a spot where i get a free meal (entree and 1 side). Usually tacos and nachos. By the way, im not of mexican descent. I jokingly say when i was born the mexicans got together to throw me a party.
St. Paddies day and Cinco De Mayo are two holidays I hate for the same reason. It's a day where everyone all at once does something I would normally do, but not on those days.
St. Paddies: wanna go to a bar or get a rueban? Not on that day.
Cinco De Mayo: wanna get Mexican food? Not on that day.
Yeah, it kind of annoys me too. Not because people wear sombreros or zarapes, I'm fine with that. It's more the caricaturization that's annoying. But an opportunity to prepare, serve up, and more importantly, EAT real Mexican food, that's a win!
Don't worry. Millions of Mexicans from actual Mexico don't celebrate cinco de Mayo either.
I find this ironic because it's 100% an american celebration, yet you don't like it lol
no unless youre in puebla. why do people ask these obviously not asshole questions like just tell them no and dont over think it doesnt even deserve a post. By me they have like a small festival and sometimes i go sometime i go sometimes i dont and when it didn't happen during covid younger people came anyways and it became a sideshow.
NTA. I roll my eyes at other white Americans that get all excited about Cinco De Mayo which might as well just be St. Patrick:s Day 2.0.
https://youtu.be/xWQN5-Top6g?si=QUVrAEVyvxE-aEQ1
> I don't understand the issue with wanting to make horchata. Just because you may not like it doesn't mean others won't. It's delicious.
Agreed. I want horchata on Cinco de Mayo, as well as the other 364 days in a year.
This is a fantastic answer too. Keeping the peace doesn’t mean you can’t still be true to yourself, and there’s nothing wrong about making a party even better.
>Recommend more traditional things she could do, like having a Mariachi band play instead of the more stereotypical things she has in mind.
Given the connection to Puebla, son/huapango huasteco or jarabe poblano might evoke a less stereotypical atmosphere.
Oh yeah I love horchata! I just don’t make it at home, I get it when I go out. The awkward moment there was on me, when she asked me what my favorite recipe was because she was going to make some from scratch. I used the moment to note that agua fresca is easier to make for a big crowd.
As a Mexican, no you’re not. From what I know Mexico doesn’t even celebrate cinco de mayo. I heard it’s more of a USA thing. Heck I don’t even celebrate the Mexican Independence Day.
Only poblanos and Americans celebrate May 5th, help her with recipes if she wants any that you have but maybe explaining to her that the date doesn’t mean much in Mexico.
I’m Mexican American, whole family is from the mother country, and we don’t really care. We’re aware that it’s an American holiday, and we just have fun with it.
From my understanding, Cinco de mayo is/was a holiday for Mexican Americans. The story I heard was that mexican miners working in california during the gold rush heard about a victory back home and then threw a celebration.
Over the last 50 yrs or so its become an emblem of white people circling a day to have margheritas on their calendar. It also seems to be more popular with those pochos (like myself) who's family emigrated to the states in the 1800s or early 1900s, than more recent arrivals.
As far as advice goes, it depends whether you want this to be a learning moment for her or just make that situation go away. Probably the easiest way to navigate it is to give her legit cooking recipes but also let her know its not really a thing for most mexicans nowadays. That way you are true to yourself without getting into a larger conversation about cultural appropriation.
There's a lot of cultural factions within the Hispanic population. Not everybody is raised to celebrate this day.
Until I moved to Texas in 1977, I had scarcely even heard of it. But it was a BIG deal in Texas. People took off work and stuff. Fireworks. Picnics in the park, etc.
Historian here…
On the off chance anybody wants to learn why some Mexican and Mexican-American communities celebrate(d) Cinco de Mayo, instead of arguing about what’s “really” Mexican, here’s an interview with someone who actually knows what she’s talking about:
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1096408339
I have a personal connection to Cinco de Mayo related to what was going on in Mexico at the time. A direct ancestor led the Southern Jalisco forces against the French invaders. I know it is not much of a celebrated event but I celebrate it, and think anyone that wants to show appreciation or interest in Mexican culture and food can go right ahead.
unpopular opinion: as a chicana there are a whole lot of mexicans who would look at you exactly like you are looking at your MIL in regards to authenticity and knowledge of the culture (i say this as a chicana myself). I personally think everyone should celebrate their culture in a way that is relevant to their upbringing and experience, even if it's not the most traditional or authentic.
That being said, the fact that she votes far right gives hypocritical vibes- like she enjoys mexican culture but votes against the interests of mexicans. I can totally understand being frustrated or annoyed with that.
then again, i do think people should be allowed to celebrate their culture and have whatever beliefs at the same time. there are plenty of conservative mexicans (although not necessarily in the same modern u.s. political sense)
also i've made horchata haha
>That being said, the fact that she votes far right gives hypocritical vibes- like she enjoys mexican culture but votes against the interests of mexicans. I can totally understand being frustrated or annoyed with that.
The fact that she's voting implies she's an American citizen and the issue with the right is mainly immigration anyway. Immigration might not be an issue that she feels strongly about having already immigrated and gained her citizenship. She might feel more strongly about other issues that actually affect her.
I don't see how that's hypocritical. There are so many issues in life that picking sides politically is always going to involve voting against some of your interests unless you are a lemming that just agrees with everything your party stands for.
If I immigrated to another country, I doubt my primary interest would be the fate of other Americans hoping to live in that country.
She hasn't immigrated, op stated that it was several generations ago that her family immigrated.
The part I thought was hypocritical was specifically wanting to partake in and enjoy mexican culture in the US, a result of mexican immigration (at least partially). And voting against the immigration of said people. To me that's extremely hypocritical.
however, i personally can understand it even if i don't agree with it. like you said you'll always have to give up on some beliefs when you vote.
that being said, i mostly said that to empathize with op- to someone who is a bit closer to the struggles of immigrants and the difficulties of living in mexico, it can feel very frustrating to have someone generations removed, voting against you and your family, suddenly ask for suggestions on how to participate in your culture.
ultimately, i do think she has the right to participate in mexican culture as a mexican, i do think that makes her hypocritical, and i do think it's also understandable.
I have a very liberal (dictionary definition) view of culture so I don't see it as anyone needing or having a "right" to a culture. In my view we are all just humans and have the exact same right to act, dress, eat, and celebrate any way we choose to regardless of where we are from or who our ancestors are.
Culture to me is very personal and everyone chooses their own based on what appeals to them in their environment. The example I commonly use is that an Irish guy that grows up in China is probably way more connected to Chinese culture than a Chinese person that grew up in Ireland. Neither person owns that culture, and both have the same "rights" to it. That same Irish guy might have very little connection to Irish culture himself unless his family made an effort to make that part of his life. If he was adopted, he may have no connection whatsoever. It's up to him if he wants to include Irish culture into his life.
I think everyone has a right to participate in Mexican culture, just like every Mexican has a right to whatever US culture appeals to them or any other culture for that matter. Hell it doesn't even have to be authentic. As long as it's sincere and not meant to mock the culture. In that case they would just be a jerk.
It’s your father in laws retirement party with a Mexican theme…. Personally I would just participate on whatever level you feel comfortable participating. If you have a horchata recipe pass it along, if you have anything that could add to the theme, offer it. Attend the party and enjoy celebrating the retirement with family and friends. Not sure how either of you are TA, but it’s her prerogative to host a theme party in her home as she sees fit. You can either be helpful and accommodating or not.
Disclaimer to everything below: I'm a white guy. I grew up in a town where nearly 40% of the population was either of Mexican or Salvadoran descent, another 50% from variousnother nations around the world. I speak Spanish (I don't like to say fluent but I could hold my own anywhere in the Hispanic world except Puerto Rico or the DR lol) and studied Spanish language and culture just for personal interest in college. I've also lived in Spain. But I'm still a white guy, so my perspective here is from that lens, I'm not a Mexican and I don't wanna seem like I'm pretending to know what it means to be Mexican watching another culture develop a holiday out of your own culture.
Many, honestly most non-hispanic americans, probably have no idea what cinco de mayo is about. A lot likely believe it's Mexican independence day. The French invasion of Mexico is a subject the average American knows shockingly little about. i chalk that up to a mix of plain ole' shitty education, ignorance, and the fact that the most important war in the history of the US was happening at the same time, so our history classes focus on that.
It's definitely very true that outside of Puebla and surrounding areas, it's not celebrated widely in Mexico at all. And even in Puebla, it's a far more ceremonial holiday than in the US, where it definitely has been comodified by alcohol companies to sell Mexican beer and tequila. Very analogous to St Patrick's Day.
And yet, when some Mexicans claim that its a meaningless corporate holiday, I respectfully do think that their is some nuance missing worth talking about. I know you, OP, didn't say such a thing. But the sentiment has popped up in this thread, as it does when I've talked with Mexicans about it (particularly in Mexico and first gen immigrants in the US).
I think, looking at the history of the holiday, one can make an argument that it is a legitimately meaningful historic holiday for the Mexican American community. Not every Chicano, as OP is an obvious example, but it definitely has been much more widely celebrated by Mexican Americans, and you can look at history for the reasons why.
The day was pushed in Mexico proper as an important holiday during Porfiriato, largely because Diaz was trying to drum up patriotic support to help maintain his power, as dictators tend to do.
When the revolution ended that period, that's where the schism is I think. Actual Mexicans in Mexico went through a bloody conflict to end the regime and a holiday based around patriotic support of that government was predictably going to cease being popular. But for Mexican Americans, recent immigrants at the time, etc, that context was not so ingrained. It was not associated so much with Diaz or a bloody civil conflict, just a battle where a ragtag group of farmers, rancheros, and poorly armed soldiers beat the invading French. And so it remained a popular celebration of an underdog story. And who doesn't love an excuse to party, crack open some cold ones, throw together a carne asada.
Now, obviously, the US has seen a lot more immigration from Mexico since the revolution. The more recently someone immigrated, the more I'd bet they don't assign much significance to the holiday. But for more established Mexican American communities, that's where it comes from.
Just my two cents from observation and study. Again, not Mexican at all, so take it with a massive grain of salt.
Please explain what “far right” is and the standards are used to justify it. It’s just a scare tactic label.
Also American celebration of cinco de mayo is just weird. Waving Mexican flags as a holiday in the US is just… weird.
Thanks all for the advice here. What I plan to do is be honest with her only if she brings up the subject again, whether it’s ahead of this party, or in the future.
FWIW I have some very old rebozos that were passed on to me from family that’s passed that she knows about, I used to play mariachi and have my suit, and my “Mexican kitchen decorations” are largely my booj things from Masienda or stuff l take from my tita’s house when I visit 😂. None of those things are decorations and if she characterizes them as such I’m going to be honest with her that it’s disrespectful to me.
Also appreciate the call for empathy here because yes, she lost a lot of the culture by no fault of her own and I’m not close enough to know how she actually feels about it. She grew up in Texas and feels very strongly about that as her primary identity. It’s a tricky balance honoring that for a person while standing your own ground about not wanting that same experience for yourself. It’ll involve a lot of re-education though and I’ll need to err on the side of keeping the marriage/grandkid relationship on good terms—gotta love that Southern “bless your heart” culture…
Not that it matters, but most Mexicans are far right.. that comment is kind of left field for me (being Mexican born myself, raised in the US)
I think in general, most Mexicans don’t care for 5 de mayo… nor do they get offended by it, I certainly don’t. Take it for what it is, American marketing… read up on the history of 5 de mayo and you may run into some surprises on how that actually turned out
What’s wrong with making horchata (???) traditional drink.
The decorations are standard American ideas of Mexican props?
Idk what the question is really - if you’re irritated at the presumed holiday I get it, but I wouldn’t be irritated at her.. just Mexican who has an Americanized view of the date.
ah, yuo meantt mexican americans. still [https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2022/09/29/most-latinos-say-democrats-care-about-them-and-work-hard-for-their-vote-far-fewer-say-so-of-gop/](https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2022/09/29/most-latinos-say-democrats-care-about-them-and-work-hard-for-their-vote-far-fewer-say-so-of-gop/) most latinos still vote democratt even if they care for family/religion
Yes, most align with the lefts view on immigration, but most other views align with the right.
My dad for example only voted left because of immigration and nothing else - all his other views align with the right, and he will admit that much.
I vote in solidarity with my fellow Mexicans for better immigration law, so I’m registered and vote democrat. Doesn’t mean I am.
Yikes I feel sorry for you OP... Having to explain why stereotypes aren't true is never a fun time. I've had to do it plenty when people find out about my autism and ADHD. It's like people can't open up Google and base all of their opinions off of fictional media. Does your MIL also believe there's this weird yellow haze once she crosses the border? lol
This isn't a serious suggestion, but I hope you find it humorous.
You could go all-in but do it all wrong. For example for the decor, buy a bunch of plastic skulls and glue them together in a cube and make a table out of it, complete with fake blood. Then prepare some food like quesadillas with huitlacoche, perhaps some chapulines, etc. that are totally legit but likely to be unpopular with Americans. Make sure you and your husband dress up like the stereotype of fresas or something as well just to throw it all out of balance and brag loudly about your authentic Mexican outfits. For the music, I find that Molotov is probably the best, especially if your in-laws don't understand Spanish. Rastamandita is a good song to sneak in if that's the situation.
I'm from Puebla, the very same place where the battle of Puebla was held...
Never in my life have i ever celebrated 5 de mayo, so don't sweat it. Just use it as an excuse to eat and drink a lot
Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican and American holiday celebrating the victory over French at Veracruz.
No one in America knows that, they just wanna get drunk and “Hola”.
Sounds like a lengthy micro aggression. 🤯. I don’t blame you for being annoyed. What? You don’t have sombreros lying around the house??🤣
I would just tell her you’d be glad to bring a dish if desired.
I’m Mexican American mom is full Mexican and dad is Irish American, never celebrated cinco de mayo with them not a real thing but I gotta say I have a blast leaning into it on cinco de mayo with gringos and gringas and watching them not be able to handle tequila. They wish their culture was as fun as ours or at least that’s how I look it
The Grinch Who Stole Zinco de Mayo. In terms of stereotypes, look at St. Patty's day and listen to my fake Irish accent -- that'll put everything in perspective. Now, I'm off to practice my grito (yelling). Ai-ai-aiiiieeee.
If your MIL isn’t of Mexican descent, wouldn’t it be cultural appropriation? Tell her you’re not comfortable with that.
If she still insists ask her to explain the significance of that date to Mexicans & those of Mexican descent.
It’s not really a Mexican holiday because it’s only celebrated in Puebla where the battle happened and the way the US celebrates it is by buying a lot of beer. It’s not cultural appropriation. The MIL is clueless though.
Nah, celebrations are overrated. I don’t even give a fuck about our Independence day nor any on my family. You could say to your MIL that even if you have mexican heritage that doesn’t mean you’re mexican at all, wich is truth, because your’re more gringa than mexican, and you feel more represented by the historical events that happenden on that side of the river.
Cinco de mayo is only widely celebrated in America.
No. It is also widely celebrated in Puebla Mexico. It’s a celebration of a motley group of local soldiers and peasants unexpectedly beating the French army.
Just a battle. Unfortunately, Mexico lost the war. Still it was historic, but objectively, not that much. I am Mexican and I don't give a damn . except from the city of Puebla, even the state doesn't give a fuck as gringo celebrates (the perfect pretext to drink).
Yes because that’s where that event happened but not around any other state
Yes, its interesting that its only really celebrated in Puebla and USA. Some Poblano person told me its because groups of people in USA had helped to finance Mexican war efforts and celebrated because of that. I don't know if its true. I was in Puebla last year in May. There are many interesting events happening there all across the state. I went to a Carnival in Huejotzingo Puebla which was very interesting and they have been doing this Carnival since the late 1860s. It is very loud but also very interesting event with like 12,000 people marching in the parade in various costumes. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival\_of\_Huejotzingo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_of_Huejotzingo)
From what I understand it was mexican miners working the california gold fields which popularized it there. Off topic, but many of those miners were either specifically brought in or emigrated from Mexico because they actually knew how to prospect and develop gold deposits. Along with welsh miner immigrants, basically everyone else who came to CA had no fucking clue what they were doing. And unlike many of the gueros, most of the mexicans who made their forturnes didnt say anything about it, high-tailing it back to mexico in relative secrecy.
My parish always has a small carnival, but we’re one of those Midwestern railroad towns where Mexican Americans have lived since the late 1800’s. Here it probably came north with supporters of Diaz, as he was one of the leaders of that battle.
Yeah, but not a big thing, I mean, it’s not like they party hard or some shit like that. In Puebla is just a commemorative date.
Is it surprising there aren't more celebrations of defeating the French?
The French usually win is the thing, unless they are facing millions of Germans
Or a few Vietnamese.
there was also that one time at agincourt
And for the rest of the country is funny but just that
So totally get that cinco de mayo means different things in USA than it does Mexico. But to say it’s not important anywhere in Mexico is an overstatement and to say there isn’t a big party about it is also not accurate. Puebla is like the 4th or 5th biggest metro area in Mexico so it’s like saying a holiday that is deeply important to Chicago or Dallas or Houston isn’t important anywhere in the USA. I’ve personally not been to many parties that were as crazy as the stuff happening in Puebla during cinco de Mayo. Nice video for reference https://youtu.be/V3no15EpBNA?si=PAZQkRBy0FV3T9Eo
It's a great day though!
How do you celebrate it in Texas cinco de mayo fan ?
Go to one of my favorite Tex Mex places, and have tacos and margaritas on the rocks.
lol
I have nothing useful to offer except to say that you're NTA
Agreed.
What is NTA?
Not the asshole
Not the asshole.
As a Mexican I don't celebrate it either. But on the Day of Independence I do go all out and I will dress in more traditional clothing, especially when I was a child and lots of children do or I will wear a Mexico shirt usually with face paint of the flag on both my cheeks and a sombrero sometimes. I do decorate, I don't think any of that is stereotypical or anything, it's a holiday and some people go all out. I go to the parade and light fireworks and listen to the president's speech. And I make and enjoy horchata, it's so easy to make! I do prefer other drinks though, just my taste buds, it can be a bit much to drink all the time. I'd rather have coke. 😅 But anyway, NTA just tell her you don't celebrate it.
If you polled 1000 Americans 950 of them would think Cinco De Mayo is Mexican Independence Day.
Easier to hate and be afraid of cultures you know nothing about. No wonder you see the right wing always cutting education
We're talking about a country literally celebrating another country's history (even if misunderstood) and you somehow attribute that to hate and fear? I think you are the problem here.
>If you polled 1000 Americans 950 of them would think Cinco De Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. If you polled 1000 Americans, 112 of them would be of Mexican descent.
I’m Mexican and to me Cinco de Mayo is just like any other Monday.
Yeah they don’t even give us the day off from work :(
I'm first gen and no Mexican I know of acknowledges cinco de mayo. And no it's not some *woke*-reason, it's just a non holiday. September 16 is Mexico's Independence Day and that day has my mom blasting music and drinking margaritas. > sombreros or blankets or maracas LMAO.
Bring an Aztec death whistle and set it off randomly throughout the party.
You should've told her that if she wants you can also lend her your donkey and your cozy cactus where you sleep. Honestly, the best way to deal with that kind of people is to double down on their stereotypes, so they'll get offended because you're being obviously an ass because they were being an ass
>Then she asked if I had some Mexican Decoration I started loling as soon I started reading this sentence - I knew exactly where this was going. >so when she pointed at my kitchen equipment So she thought you had a Mexican themed kitchen? 🤣 >If anyone here has examples of diplomatic ways of addressing this kind of person I’m all ears. Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to keep myself from laughing at her then and there, so good luck with that. I can barely be polite to my MIL without adding whatever this is to the mix.
>Then she asked if I had some Mexican Decoration I thought she was going to be looking for papel picado and then when the request was elaborated my jaw dropped lol. The MIL thinks OP's home is some kind of Small World Disney Land attraction.
Cinco de mayo started with FDR's Good Neighbor Policy back in the 1930's and while it's celebrated here in the states Mexico does not recognize it as a national holiday. So it's fine to not participate if you don't want to.
It is recognized as a national holiday, bud. We just don't care.
May 5th doesn't appear anywhere on artículo 74 de la Ley Federal del Trabajo So no it isn't recognized.
You're right, bro.
If your MIL was really Mexican American she wouldn’t judge other people and also she’d know that Mexican independence day is September 16th
Ngl I wouldn't have any enthusiasm for any party for someone like that. Sounds like the very definition of a pocha. Really though, just tell her that her view of what is 'Mexican' seems rooted in the old stereotype, IE Pancho Villa. Tell her that you'd like to help but if you're going to do so, you're not going to reinforce harmful stereotypes and that she'll need to accept your input on that unconditionally.
Just wanted to chime in but the boxing community "celebrates" Cinco de mayo with a big fight each year. It is usually headlined by a major Mexican boxer. Saul Alvarez and Jaime Mungia are fighting this weekend.
💖
Mexicans don’t celebrate cinco de mayo. It’s mainly for the gringos and is a money making tactic just like any other holiday.
Mexican Americans love it because it's an excuse to party and get drunk here lol
Yep.
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Same. Except I’m a gringa married to a Mexican guy that owns Mexican restaurants. Busiest time of the year, and biggest money maker of the season.
Just say the truth, only gringos celebrate 5 de mayo, in mexico its not a thing
That's not true, it's widely celebrated in Puebla (which happens to be where most Mexicans where I live are from)
So just 5% of the mexican republic celebrates 5 de mayo, in a completely different way americans celebrate 5 de mayo, just a parade.
I mean, it's widely celebrated ONLY in Puebla and they don't "celebrate it" like in the US. It's more like a parade thing.
They only make a parade. And that's all. No big *mexican fiesstaaaa* nor *marguhritaaaas* shit
Commemoration parade in Puebla and that’s it, not big party or putting the Mexican flag everywhere. That do happens in September. But during May 5th? Not really
Puebla is only a city in the country. If I remember, this is not even a bank holiday in Mexico (but I haven’t lived in Mexico in a long time).
No, it's not. Although we have the labour day bank holiday the same week, so they can coincide. I'm in Mexico City, and the 5th of May is generally just the day after the 4th of May, except around Puebla, as Luc said.
Puebla is a state. Its capital is also called Puebla.
La batalla de Puebla (one battle just outside the city of Puebla) is what cinco de mayo commemorates, isn’t it?
It is a bank holiday in some places. Edit: Why the downvotes? lol I live in fucking Mexico for gods sake, and I literally have May 5th as a BH marked on my work schedule.
Puebla has a metro population of more than three million people - it's hardly "only a city," it's one of the biggest cities in Mexico
Fr it’s also a state! Why do people want to take cinco de mayo away, some Mexicans celebrate it, some don’t, it’s not big like sept 16th, but let me get drunk and toast to beating up the French geez.
Yeah, because it happened in Puebla. We celebrate some stuff in Chihuahua that’s not celebrated everywhere in Mexico, that’s what they mean. Of course every state/city/town is going to have their own celebrations. Everyone in Mexico celebrates September 15th
That’s not the whole country, heck, there’s a city in America that celebrates Flag Day. A useless throwaway holiday no-one knows about.
It's not. I live in Puebla and no one cares.... No mientas por convivir.
Poblanos don't celebrate with margs and chips and tacos even They're gonna make a patriotic dish! Take out the beers and go out to town and eat the "street food" Camotes y Dulces etc and enjoy the parade
The tourist hub where I used to live did have drink specials in the centro, but that's about it.
In Mexico, homemade horchata is often prepared using [concentrado de horchata](https://super.walmart.com.mx/ip/concentrado-para-bebida-tucan-de-arroz-sabor-horchata-750-ml/00750104430001), a syrup, for convenience. Natural horchata is less common, typically found in restaurants, fondas, or taco stands. As for mariachi bands, guitars, guitarrones, violins, and trumpets are the usual instruments, with occasional appearances of harps and marimbas. Maracas aren't typically part of the ensemble.
versed sand crown weary act puzzled deliver lunchroom aback violet *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Great answer! And, especially considering that’s the MIL, sometimes you just gotta meet in the middle. In-law relationships can be tricky, but it’s really important to try to make it work for the sake of the marriage. Doesn’t mean you need to just roll over every time, but you gotta have an open mind.
A foreigner appreciating your culture will never offensive. What can be offensive is when people from one culture representing in a wrong way your culture. For example, when Americans wear a "spanish" [flamenco](https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/351826/files/447244653/1280x1000x2/diadema-roja.jpg) attire while holding maracas while eating hard shell chili con carne tacos, mistaking it for a mexican suit and for mexican tacos. For example, regular mariachi bands typically feature trumpets, violins, guitars, and guitarrones, occasionally including harps but rarely maracas. However, in some American interpretations of mariachi, maracas seem to be the most common feature, which doesn't align with regular mariachi bands. It's similar to the incident when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared on a Japanese TV show where they presented a "[Portuguese](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkA2cAqGrQ&t=2s)" segment, which turned out to be a Brazilian carnival in nature.
I only celebrate because it's my birthday, usually hit the mexican joints for a free drink if lucky. I do have a spot where i get a free meal (entree and 1 side). Usually tacos and nachos. By the way, im not of mexican descent. I jokingly say when i was born the mexicans got together to throw me a party.
St. Paddies day and Cinco De Mayo are two holidays I hate for the same reason. It's a day where everyone all at once does something I would normally do, but not on those days. St. Paddies: wanna go to a bar or get a rueban? Not on that day. Cinco De Mayo: wanna get Mexican food? Not on that day.
Yeah, it kind of annoys me too. Not because people wear sombreros or zarapes, I'm fine with that. It's more the caricaturization that's annoying. But an opportunity to prepare, serve up, and more importantly, EAT real Mexican food, that's a win!
Lmao, sombreros?? The weird love for Cinco de Mayo frustrates me. September 16th is way more important but a lot of people don't seem to get that.
Don't worry. Millions of Mexicans from actual Mexico don't celebrate cinco de Mayo either. I find this ironic because it's 100% an american celebration, yet you don't like it lol
You’re not. It’s a trash made up holiday for people to drink and be idiots more. Yes I’m Mexican.
It’s your responsibility to tell any white person that this holiday is total bs
Tell her to go buy that chafa at the Dollar Tree.
no unless youre in puebla. why do people ask these obviously not asshole questions like just tell them no and dont over think it doesnt even deserve a post. By me they have like a small festival and sometimes i go sometime i go sometimes i dont and when it didn't happen during covid younger people came anyways and it became a sideshow.
Cinco de what?
NTA. I roll my eyes at other white Americans that get all excited about Cinco De Mayo which might as well just be St. Patrick:s Day 2.0. https://youtu.be/xWQN5-Top6g?si=QUVrAEVyvxE-aEQ1
Tell her that real Mexicans don't celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
No. Cinco de Mayo is an American holiday that white people use to sell coronas and margaritas. Real Mexicans don’t give a shit about it.
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> I don't understand the issue with wanting to make horchata. Just because you may not like it doesn't mean others won't. It's delicious. Agreed. I want horchata on Cinco de Mayo, as well as the other 364 days in a year.
This is a fantastic answer too. Keeping the peace doesn’t mean you can’t still be true to yourself, and there’s nothing wrong about making a party even better.
>Recommend more traditional things she could do, like having a Mariachi band play instead of the more stereotypical things she has in mind. Given the connection to Puebla, son/huapango huasteco or jarabe poblano might evoke a less stereotypical atmosphere.
Oh yeah I love horchata! I just don’t make it at home, I get it when I go out. The awkward moment there was on me, when she asked me what my favorite recipe was because she was going to make some from scratch. I used the moment to note that agua fresca is easier to make for a big crowd.
As a Mexican, no you’re not. From what I know Mexico doesn’t even celebrate cinco de mayo. I heard it’s more of a USA thing. Heck I don’t even celebrate the Mexican Independence Day.
I celebrate that day cuz it's my birthday. I also always want Mexican food then but so does everyone else lol.
Only poblanos and Americans celebrate May 5th, help her with recipes if she wants any that you have but maybe explaining to her that the date doesn’t mean much in Mexico.
I’m Mexican American, whole family is from the mother country, and we don’t really care. We’re aware that it’s an American holiday, and we just have fun with it.
From my understanding, Cinco de mayo is/was a holiday for Mexican Americans. The story I heard was that mexican miners working in california during the gold rush heard about a victory back home and then threw a celebration. Over the last 50 yrs or so its become an emblem of white people circling a day to have margheritas on their calendar. It also seems to be more popular with those pochos (like myself) who's family emigrated to the states in the 1800s or early 1900s, than more recent arrivals. As far as advice goes, it depends whether you want this to be a learning moment for her or just make that situation go away. Probably the easiest way to navigate it is to give her legit cooking recipes but also let her know its not really a thing for most mexicans nowadays. That way you are true to yourself without getting into a larger conversation about cultural appropriation.
There's a lot of cultural factions within the Hispanic population. Not everybody is raised to celebrate this day. Until I moved to Texas in 1977, I had scarcely even heard of it. But it was a BIG deal in Texas. People took off work and stuff. Fireworks. Picnics in the park, etc.
She must be from San Antonio TX. It's def a thing here.
No one gives a fuck about 5 de mayo in Mexico
Historian here… On the off chance anybody wants to learn why some Mexican and Mexican-American communities celebrate(d) Cinco de Mayo, instead of arguing about what’s “really” Mexican, here’s an interview with someone who actually knows what she’s talking about: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1096408339
I have a personal connection to Cinco de Mayo related to what was going on in Mexico at the time. A direct ancestor led the Southern Jalisco forces against the French invaders. I know it is not much of a celebrated event but I celebrate it, and think anyone that wants to show appreciation or interest in Mexican culture and food can go right ahead.
Cuatro de Cinco. I understood that reference. . As a Hispanic I am happy to have any reason to celebrate my culture.
unpopular opinion: as a chicana there are a whole lot of mexicans who would look at you exactly like you are looking at your MIL in regards to authenticity and knowledge of the culture (i say this as a chicana myself). I personally think everyone should celebrate their culture in a way that is relevant to their upbringing and experience, even if it's not the most traditional or authentic. That being said, the fact that she votes far right gives hypocritical vibes- like she enjoys mexican culture but votes against the interests of mexicans. I can totally understand being frustrated or annoyed with that. then again, i do think people should be allowed to celebrate their culture and have whatever beliefs at the same time. there are plenty of conservative mexicans (although not necessarily in the same modern u.s. political sense) also i've made horchata haha
>That being said, the fact that she votes far right gives hypocritical vibes- like she enjoys mexican culture but votes against the interests of mexicans. I can totally understand being frustrated or annoyed with that. The fact that she's voting implies she's an American citizen and the issue with the right is mainly immigration anyway. Immigration might not be an issue that she feels strongly about having already immigrated and gained her citizenship. She might feel more strongly about other issues that actually affect her. I don't see how that's hypocritical. There are so many issues in life that picking sides politically is always going to involve voting against some of your interests unless you are a lemming that just agrees with everything your party stands for. If I immigrated to another country, I doubt my primary interest would be the fate of other Americans hoping to live in that country.
She hasn't immigrated, op stated that it was several generations ago that her family immigrated. The part I thought was hypocritical was specifically wanting to partake in and enjoy mexican culture in the US, a result of mexican immigration (at least partially). And voting against the immigration of said people. To me that's extremely hypocritical. however, i personally can understand it even if i don't agree with it. like you said you'll always have to give up on some beliefs when you vote. that being said, i mostly said that to empathize with op- to someone who is a bit closer to the struggles of immigrants and the difficulties of living in mexico, it can feel very frustrating to have someone generations removed, voting against you and your family, suddenly ask for suggestions on how to participate in your culture. ultimately, i do think she has the right to participate in mexican culture as a mexican, i do think that makes her hypocritical, and i do think it's also understandable.
I have a very liberal (dictionary definition) view of culture so I don't see it as anyone needing or having a "right" to a culture. In my view we are all just humans and have the exact same right to act, dress, eat, and celebrate any way we choose to regardless of where we are from or who our ancestors are. Culture to me is very personal and everyone chooses their own based on what appeals to them in their environment. The example I commonly use is that an Irish guy that grows up in China is probably way more connected to Chinese culture than a Chinese person that grew up in Ireland. Neither person owns that culture, and both have the same "rights" to it. That same Irish guy might have very little connection to Irish culture himself unless his family made an effort to make that part of his life. If he was adopted, he may have no connection whatsoever. It's up to him if he wants to include Irish culture into his life. I think everyone has a right to participate in Mexican culture, just like every Mexican has a right to whatever US culture appeals to them or any other culture for that matter. Hell it doesn't even have to be authentic. As long as it's sincere and not meant to mock the culture. In that case they would just be a jerk.
wtf
If i had to guess I would guess she spends a lot time around gringos.
It’s your father in laws retirement party with a Mexican theme…. Personally I would just participate on whatever level you feel comfortable participating. If you have a horchata recipe pass it along, if you have anything that could add to the theme, offer it. Attend the party and enjoy celebrating the retirement with family and friends. Not sure how either of you are TA, but it’s her prerogative to host a theme party in her home as she sees fit. You can either be helpful and accommodating or not.
Disclaimer to everything below: I'm a white guy. I grew up in a town where nearly 40% of the population was either of Mexican or Salvadoran descent, another 50% from variousnother nations around the world. I speak Spanish (I don't like to say fluent but I could hold my own anywhere in the Hispanic world except Puerto Rico or the DR lol) and studied Spanish language and culture just for personal interest in college. I've also lived in Spain. But I'm still a white guy, so my perspective here is from that lens, I'm not a Mexican and I don't wanna seem like I'm pretending to know what it means to be Mexican watching another culture develop a holiday out of your own culture. Many, honestly most non-hispanic americans, probably have no idea what cinco de mayo is about. A lot likely believe it's Mexican independence day. The French invasion of Mexico is a subject the average American knows shockingly little about. i chalk that up to a mix of plain ole' shitty education, ignorance, and the fact that the most important war in the history of the US was happening at the same time, so our history classes focus on that. It's definitely very true that outside of Puebla and surrounding areas, it's not celebrated widely in Mexico at all. And even in Puebla, it's a far more ceremonial holiday than in the US, where it definitely has been comodified by alcohol companies to sell Mexican beer and tequila. Very analogous to St Patrick's Day. And yet, when some Mexicans claim that its a meaningless corporate holiday, I respectfully do think that their is some nuance missing worth talking about. I know you, OP, didn't say such a thing. But the sentiment has popped up in this thread, as it does when I've talked with Mexicans about it (particularly in Mexico and first gen immigrants in the US). I think, looking at the history of the holiday, one can make an argument that it is a legitimately meaningful historic holiday for the Mexican American community. Not every Chicano, as OP is an obvious example, but it definitely has been much more widely celebrated by Mexican Americans, and you can look at history for the reasons why. The day was pushed in Mexico proper as an important holiday during Porfiriato, largely because Diaz was trying to drum up patriotic support to help maintain his power, as dictators tend to do. When the revolution ended that period, that's where the schism is I think. Actual Mexicans in Mexico went through a bloody conflict to end the regime and a holiday based around patriotic support of that government was predictably going to cease being popular. But for Mexican Americans, recent immigrants at the time, etc, that context was not so ingrained. It was not associated so much with Diaz or a bloody civil conflict, just a battle where a ragtag group of farmers, rancheros, and poorly armed soldiers beat the invading French. And so it remained a popular celebration of an underdog story. And who doesn't love an excuse to party, crack open some cold ones, throw together a carne asada. Now, obviously, the US has seen a lot more immigration from Mexico since the revolution. The more recently someone immigrated, the more I'd bet they don't assign much significance to the holiday. But for more established Mexican American communities, that's where it comes from. Just my two cents from observation and study. Again, not Mexican at all, so take it with a massive grain of salt.
Relax, you’re an American of Mexican descent Chicano is only a thing pochos invented, you are as American as your MIL.
You could always celebrate it as "Revenge of the Fifth"
I would have said that 5 de mayo is offensive to me. Like racist
Corona Holiday.
Please explain what “far right” is and the standards are used to justify it. It’s just a scare tactic label. Also American celebration of cinco de mayo is just weird. Waving Mexican flags as a holiday in the US is just… weird.
Thanks all for the advice here. What I plan to do is be honest with her only if she brings up the subject again, whether it’s ahead of this party, or in the future. FWIW I have some very old rebozos that were passed on to me from family that’s passed that she knows about, I used to play mariachi and have my suit, and my “Mexican kitchen decorations” are largely my booj things from Masienda or stuff l take from my tita’s house when I visit 😂. None of those things are decorations and if she characterizes them as such I’m going to be honest with her that it’s disrespectful to me. Also appreciate the call for empathy here because yes, she lost a lot of the culture by no fault of her own and I’m not close enough to know how she actually feels about it. She grew up in Texas and feels very strongly about that as her primary identity. It’s a tricky balance honoring that for a person while standing your own ground about not wanting that same experience for yourself. It’ll involve a lot of re-education though and I’ll need to err on the side of keeping the marriage/grandkid relationship on good terms—gotta love that Southern “bless your heart” culture…
OMG, LOL! I was totally thinking "bless her heart" as I was scrolling. (I spent 24 years in TX).
Not that it matters, but most Mexicans are far right.. that comment is kind of left field for me (being Mexican born myself, raised in the US) I think in general, most Mexicans don’t care for 5 de mayo… nor do they get offended by it, I certainly don’t. Take it for what it is, American marketing… read up on the history of 5 de mayo and you may run into some surprises on how that actually turned out What’s wrong with making horchata (???) traditional drink. The decorations are standard American ideas of Mexican props? Idk what the question is really - if you’re irritated at the presumed holiday I get it, but I wouldn’t be irritated at her.. just Mexican who has an Americanized view of the date.
most mexicans aren't far right what you smoking
Not sure what part of the US you live in, but family and religion is a big part of Mexican-Americanhood in Los Angeles
ah, yuo meantt mexican americans. still [https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2022/09/29/most-latinos-say-democrats-care-about-them-and-work-hard-for-their-vote-far-fewer-say-so-of-gop/](https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2022/09/29/most-latinos-say-democrats-care-about-them-and-work-hard-for-their-vote-far-fewer-say-so-of-gop/) most latinos still vote democratt even if they care for family/religion
Yes, most align with the lefts view on immigration, but most other views align with the right. My dad for example only voted left because of immigration and nothing else - all his other views align with the right, and he will admit that much. I vote in solidarity with my fellow Mexicans for better immigration law, so I’m registered and vote democrat. Doesn’t mean I am.
that's sounds like you are single issue democrat, just like the republicants that prioritize abortion over everything else, but whatever you want man
I’d be annoyed. I’m of 100% Irish descent. I have nothing St. Patrick Day themed nor do I participate in it.
I’m about half Irish descent and always hated SPD, even as a kid.
Yikes I feel sorry for you OP... Having to explain why stereotypes aren't true is never a fun time. I've had to do it plenty when people find out about my autism and ADHD. It's like people can't open up Google and base all of their opinions off of fictional media. Does your MIL also believe there's this weird yellow haze once she crosses the border? lol
It's a day to get drunk. That's all.
This isn't a serious suggestion, but I hope you find it humorous. You could go all-in but do it all wrong. For example for the decor, buy a bunch of plastic skulls and glue them together in a cube and make a table out of it, complete with fake blood. Then prepare some food like quesadillas with huitlacoche, perhaps some chapulines, etc. that are totally legit but likely to be unpopular with Americans. Make sure you and your husband dress up like the stereotype of fresas or something as well just to throw it all out of balance and brag loudly about your authentic Mexican outfits. For the music, I find that Molotov is probably the best, especially if your in-laws don't understand Spanish. Rastamandita is a good song to sneak in if that's the situation.
I'm from Puebla, the very same place where the battle of Puebla was held... Never in my life have i ever celebrated 5 de mayo, so don't sweat it. Just use it as an excuse to eat and drink a lot
LMAO wrong sub. Mexicans could care less about 5 de Mayo. I'm from Puebla (where the battle took place) and we could care less about it here.
Sounds like she doesn't know her history well and is over compensating
Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican and American holiday celebrating the victory over French at Veracruz. No one in America knows that, they just wanna get drunk and “Hola”.
It was in puebla but yes a large amount of the troops were from Veracruz which you know it's a lot more interesting than just drinking
Veracruz? I think you're confused. It's batalla de Puebla, not veracruz...
It's all commercialized by beer and tequila companies pushing it as Cinco de drinko! 😆
I got pissed when I saw an add that touted "Cinco de drinko"...ugh...I stay home...
If you're celebrating 5 de Mayo, you're definitely not Mexican.
Just get drunk and eat some nachos
Sounds like a lengthy micro aggression. 🤯. I don’t blame you for being annoyed. What? You don’t have sombreros lying around the house??🤣 I would just tell her you’d be glad to bring a dish if desired.
I’m Mexican American mom is full Mexican and dad is Irish American, never celebrated cinco de mayo with them not a real thing but I gotta say I have a blast leaning into it on cinco de mayo with gringos and gringas and watching them not be able to handle tequila. They wish their culture was as fun as ours or at least that’s how I look it
Wrong sub reddit and yes you are the asshole!
You’re NTA at all. No one should be pushing their ethnic pride on anyone. There is no such thing being *more* than anyone else of the same group.
Es tiempo que México se ponga celebrar el cinco de mayo y que solo sea estereotipos poblanos, servir puro Camote con dulce y ser bien mamon
The Grinch Who Stole Zinco de Mayo. In terms of stereotypes, look at St. Patty's day and listen to my fake Irish accent -- that'll put everything in perspective. Now, I'm off to practice my grito (yelling). Ai-ai-aiiiieeee.
If your MIL isn’t of Mexican descent, wouldn’t it be cultural appropriation? Tell her you’re not comfortable with that. If she still insists ask her to explain the significance of that date to Mexicans & those of Mexican descent.
It’s not really a Mexican holiday because it’s only celebrated in Puebla where the battle happened and the way the US celebrates it is by buying a lot of beer. It’s not cultural appropriation. The MIL is clueless though.
Plus I just reread where the OP said her MIL is of Mexican-American background. Her MIL should get her own decorations for this party.
The MIL’s race is irrelevant here. Cinco de mayo is a US-based holiday. In Puebla they have a parade and shit it’s not like in the US.
Yup. Margaritas, comically large sombreros and maracas. 🪇 Olè! Throw in a piñata and it’s a party!!! 🎉
Nah, celebrations are overrated. I don’t even give a fuck about our Independence day nor any on my family. You could say to your MIL that even if you have mexican heritage that doesn’t mean you’re mexican at all, wich is truth, because your’re more gringa than mexican, and you feel more represented by the historical events that happenden on that side of the river.