Please, don't mistake Mexican hospitality for politeness

The Mexican culture has a not so misplaced infamy of hospitality. I've had more than my fair share of unrequited hospitable gestures; it's something entirely foreign and slightly unnerving to a person coming from an isolationist culture such as that of us Americans. But once one lets down their guard and seizes to fear the worst -- rapist, kidnapper, robber, serial killer, etc -- the motion is actually seen for what it truly is meant to be.....a favor in exchange for a future favor, or cash.

But don't mistake these hospitable gestures for politeness; while a Mexican will offer you his house, pay for your dinner, or give you even the clothes off his back (actually, I was given a bracelet just because I said I liked it and I offended the girl who gave it to me when I tried to refuse it....also, at a restaurant I complimented the hostess on her necklace and she responded not with the usual "thank you" but with "muy a sus ordenes" -- at your orders, AKA, whenever you want to borrow it, it's yours), their culture can seem to lack a bit in etiquette.

Mexicans answer their phones in movie theaters -- they don't even turn off the ringer
Mexicans honk, cut people off, and nearly run pedestrians over any chance they get
Mexicans will clap loudly and constantly if the play, concert or movie doesn't start on time
Mexicans will whistle the tune "shave and a haircut" to people who make them mad because it means "chinga tu madre"

These traits don't express naquese or rudeness here in Mexico, they are an everyday, common as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (in the US) occurrence that has manifested itself into a cultural characteristic.....a spiky, gritty, hard-to-swallow characteristic, as far as this California girl is concerned.