To stave off hate mail, let me say: I love Mexico.  I really do.  My wife and I chose this country and love learning how diverse it is in all of its wonderfully varied regions.

What this sort of delusion-building hype does is create the idea that all of Mexico, all of its culture, is going to be the same in each region you check out for possible expatriation. You see this in the forums on Yahoo and other sources a heck of a lot. You don't have to read very many forum posts before seeing some posts along the lines
of:

The Mexicans love us here."

"The Mexicans will be patient with you and go out of their way to help
you."

"Mexicans are honest people."

Just as in the States, Canada, and anywhere else you might go, there will be some very good people of sound character.  There will also be some who are terrible scoundrels.

To paint a vast picture that all Mexicans are _____________(fill in the blank) is to create a delusion in the minds of the Gringos who are ill informed about this culture.

Different Cultural Regions in Mexico
Here is another delusion perpetrated by certain interests who have as their motive to sell you some very expensive real estate in Mexico. They will seek to paint a picture that the same culture courses its way seamlessly throughout this country.  They fail to tell you that just like in the States, the culture will vary according to the
location you choose.

This is a no-brainer. I am from America's Midwest. I know scores of midwestern folks who would never in a million years be able to adapt to living in New York City. New York is America.  However, because of the vast local or regional cultural differences, I know many who could never adapt.  I've had friends from the laid-back life in California who could never adjust to living in Kansas City.  I know some who have done it.  I have a niece who is an actress in New York City and loves it there.  However, she was able to adapt by assimilating into the local population with its unique regional culture.

When you talk to some here in Guanajuato who are from different regions in Mexico, they have some very firm convictions about the differences between the local culture and the culture of their home regions.  Recently, we talked with a lady from Zacatecas who works in a local business.  She confirmed what we've been told over and over again about the difference between the people of Guanajuato and those from Zacatecas.  She was a bit adamant about the differences in the two peoples.

This is not a bad thing.  It means that to lump all of Mexico into the same cultural pot is as erroneous as lumping all the regions of America together and claiming there are no regional differences.  There is the underlying Mexican culture that unifies its people but there are going to be regional differences that can be startling. There is a cultural sameness that unites Mexicans and there are cultural differences that divide them.