Running head: A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

A Comparison of American and Mexican Culture

James Hinkel
University of Kentucky

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

Abstract
This informative essay compares the culture in the United States to the culture in Mexico. Based
on Hofstedes cultural dimensions of power distance, individualism, and masculinity, there are
many distinct aspects of these two cultures. Mexico received a much higher score on the power
distance aspect due to the fact that the low class people in their society accept that they are
treated unequally. The United States or American culture received a higher score in the
individualism category as they are a much more individualist culture and Mexico is a strong
collectivist culture. These cultures are similar in the fact that both scored somewhat high in the
masculinity aspect. Another similarity between the two is that both are short term oriented
meaning that they focus on immediate goals, rewards, etc.
Keywords: Individualism, collectivist, masculinity, power distance

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

A Comparison of American and Mexican Culture

As most people are used to their normal life, many do not realize how much culture
effects human lifestyles. According to the text book, Communicate!, Culture is the system of
shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and norms that guide what is considered appropriate among an
identifiable group of people (Verderber, Verderber, Snellnow, 2014). There are many different
cultures in the world today. I live in the United States or American culture, which is sometimes
referred to as a "melting pot" due to the fact that many diverse cultures have added their own
aspects of life to create the mix that we know as American culture. The Live Science contributor,
Kim Anne Zimmermann, states in the article, Mexican Culture: Customs and Traditions, that
Mexico is made up of three major ethnic groups causing Mexican culture to be unique
(Zimmermann, 2015). I chose to explore the United States because I can relate to it and I think it
is important to be educated on the culture that you live in. I also selected Mexico because it is a
close-by country that I have visited a few times. Even though it is close, I experienced culture
shock when I visited Mexico for the first time, as we drove through the slums to arrive on a
fabulous resort. Everyone spoke Spanish, except the tourists, and there were hundreds of workers
prepared to do anything you asked of them at any time. Mexican culture seemed very different
from the American culture that I was used to. This is true in some cases, however I found that
there are both similarities and differences as I analyzed Hofstedes cultural dimensions. Mexico
and the United States show differences in the power distance and individualism dimensions,
however they are similar in their masculinity and short term orientation.
Geert Hofstede, the Dutch phycologist that pioneered cross-cultural research, created a
theory of dimensions to compare cultures. His first cultural dimension that serves as a major
distinction between these two cultures is called Power Distance. According to The Hofstede

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

Centre, Power distance is defined as the extent to which the less powerful members of
institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed
unequally (The Hofstede Centre, 2015). A low ranking means that the least powerful members
in the society do not accept that there is a difference in power. Conversely, a high ranking means
that the least powerful members of the organization expect their treatment and accept that the
power is spread out unequally. The United States received a fairly low score in this category of
40 whereas Mexico received a much higher score of 81 (The Hoffstede Centre, 2015). Both
cultures have many different positions in the work force, which causes one person to have more
power or the ability to influence another. For example, the owner of a construction company
hires a manager to direct the project, the manager then hires experts, such as architects and
engineers, and tells them what he needs done. Then, a crew of construction workers are hired and
told what to do by one of the more advanced positions. In this situation, there are different levels
of power and every member of the project takes on a different role. Mexican culture is based on a
structured hierarchy so everyone has a place to be and a role to take on. Zimmermann explains
that in this hierarchical society there are six different classes and each one entitles different
amounts of power, control, wealth, and work (Zimmermann, 2015). The fact that Mexico scored
high in this discipline shows that even the low classes on the hierarchy recognize the distance in
power, and are comfortable with it. This differs from American culture because the least
powerful people in America are not as contented with the large difference in power. Not only is
the power distance apparent in the work force, but also in politics as many American people fight
back against the ones who hold power in hopes for a more equal distribution of power. Although
both cultures power distance score is very different, both are successful in the way that they get
work done and run their country. Even though the low class Mexicans are more accepting of

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

their unequal treatment, Americans lower classes still agree to do the work.
Along with Power Distance, Individualism is another cultural dimension that stands out
as a major difference between these two societies. Hofstede defined Individualism essentially as,
the extent of interdependence a society upholds between its members (The Hofstede Centre,
2015). This dimension helps break cultures up into two main groups which are individualist and
collectivist. As stated in Communicate!, Highly individualistic cultures value personal rights
and responsibilities, privacy, voicing ones opinion, freedom, innovation, and self-expression
(Verderber, Verderber, Snellnow, 2014). On the other hand the book goes on to say, Highly
collectivist cultures value community, collaboration, shared interests, harmony, the public good,
and avoiding embarrassment (Verderber et al., 2014). In this category, the United States
received a score of 91 and Mexico was given a score of 30 (The Hofstede Centre, 2015). This
means the United States is very individualist and Mexico is much more collectivist. The
individualist culture is shown in the United States through the idea that most people only look
after themselves and their immediate family. In Mexico a group is created of close family,
extended family, and other close relationships, and within these groups everyone looks after and
takes responsibility of their fellow members (Zimmermann, 2015). In addition to taking care of
one another, this also demonstrates how group decision-making works in each society. Group
decisions usually turn into arguments in the United States because everyone values their own
ideas and the optimal outcome for each individual is for them to get their way. This is different in
Mexico because according to Live Science the groups goal is to live in group harmony even if
that means they have to give up their own opinions to make others satisfied (Zimmermann,
2015). Finally, individualism impacts the self-concept and confidence of people. In the United
States, people gain confidence and create their own self-concept based on their individual

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

accomplishments. This differs from Mexican culture because they create an interdependent selfconcept and base their confidence on how well they contribute to their group (Zimmermann,
2015).
In contrast to Power Distance and Individualism, Masculinity is one of Hofstedes
cultural dimensions that serves as a similarity between these cultures. Masculinity is based on
how the society values their gender roles; this also can divide the group into two categories,
masculine or feminine. In a masculine culture men and women are expected to follow the
traditional gender roles, and the masculine roles are valued higher than the feminine roles. In a
feminine culture men and women take similar roles and both are accustomed to being nurturing,
caring, and service oriented. The United States received a score of 62 and Mexico was given a 69
(The Hofstede Centre, 2015). This shows that both cultures are on the masculine side and quite
similar in this category. I agree that American culture is masculine, and I think that it received a
lower score because there are still many nurturing and caring males in our society. In Mexican
culture, the hierarchy shows that people live in order to work. Following the lines of the
individualism there is a lot of competition in both cultures, which is a masculine trait, in youth
with school and sports and in adulthood with successfulness. According to the article Mexico Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette on the Kwinssential website, Most Mexican
families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and the
decision-maker (Mexico - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, 2014). I know from first
hand experience that America also follows the general idea that the men are the providers and
head of the house, while the women care for the family.
Of course these cultures are similar in more than just one dimension, and in addition to
masculinity, Mexican and American culture are also similar in Short Term Orientation.

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

According to Communicate!, Long-term and short-term orientations deal with how a culture
values patience in arriving at rewards in the future or immediately in the here and now
(Verderber, Verderber, Snellnow, 2014). In this dimension the United States received a score of
twenty-six and Mexico received a twenty-four (The Hofstede Center, 2015). This shows that
both cultures are short term oriented, meaning they value immediate gratification rather than
long term rewards. This is evident in the way that most businesses judge their performance based
on periodical data, usually quarterly, and strive for short term goals. Both cultures show
significance towards the present, recent past, and near future. This is apparent through the low
priority of ancestors and history, but high priority of social obligations and events going on
today. Both of these cultures emphasize quick results and worry less about the future
(Zimmermann, 2015).
There are many different aspects of culture as represented by Hofstedes theory; culture
has a major impact on the life that we live each and every day. As I mentioned earlier, the first
time I visited Mexico, was an eye-opening experience as I realized how large of an impact
culture had on my life. I researched what seemed to be two very different cultures when I
witnessed them first hand, but they turned out to be more similar than I thought. The United
States and Mexico have much different Power Distance and Individualism, yet similar
Masculinity and Short Term Orientation. Both cultures are comfortable and successful with their
system of shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and norms known as culture. These countries are
neighboring each other and located on the same continent, where many people even cross the
border to enter the other country, yet they have much different lifestyles. Who would have
guessed they could be this different and culture would have such a major impact?

A COMPARISON OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN CULTURE

References
DeFiore, A. (n.d.). Long-term Orientation. Retrieved from
http://hopeinterculturalcomm.weebly.com/long-term-orientation.html
Verderber R., Verderber K., Snellnow D. (2014). Communicate!. Intercultural
Communication, Chapter 3
Mexico - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette (2014). Retrieved October 15, 2015.
What about the USA? (2015). The Hoftsede Centre. Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/mexico-country-profile.html
Zimmermann, K (2015, January 15). Live Science. American Culture: Traditions and Customs of
the United States. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/28945-americanculture.html
Zimmermann. (2015, February 10). Live Science. Mexican Culture: Customs & Traditions.
Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/38647-mexican-culture.html