Hello and welcome to my slow English podcast.
Today I will be having a conversation with my sister about the differences between Mexico and the USA.
We have both lived in the United States and in Mexico.
This is real life conversation practice.
No script, Just slow English practice.
This is for A2 beginner English learners.
But I have some challenging questions in this lesson as well.
So pause if you need it.
And try and answer each question along with me.
Let's start by talking about the food and groceries in each country.
How often do you go grocery shopping in the U.S.?
And how often do you go in Mexico?
In the U.S., I go once a week.
And in Mexico, I go two to three times a week.
Why do you think you go less in the United States and more in Mexico?
In the United States, we usually have a one-stop shop.
So Walmart, Target...
Shopko, many more.
You are meant to buy groceries for a whole week or the whole month.
And in Mexico, it is more common to have little shops or tienditas.
And you buy food for a few days or maybe a week.
Okay.
So do you think it's more common to go to little stores in Mexico or to big grocery stores in Mexico?
In Mexico, I would say it's more common to go to little stores.
Big stores are only useful if you're looking for something very specific.
Maybe you won't find peanut butter in a little store, but you will find peanut butter in a big store.
Okay.
And do you think grocery shopping is more expensive in the U S or in Mexico?
I think grocery shopping is more expensive in the U?
S because it's only these big stores, and these big stores have bigger prices or more expensive prices.
Um little stores or markets can get their food directly from the farmer, and big stores get the food from the farmer and it gets processed.
So the price is usually more.
Okay.
And what do you think is the most expensive food to buy at?
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I feel like access to fresh food or farmers markets is better in Mexico than in the US.
Okay.
So for fresh produce, like organic food, would you prefer shopping in Mexico or in the US?
Probably Mexico.
Yeah.
What's the main difference? between grocery stores in the US and Mexico?
The main difference is probably the type of food that they sell.
Mexicans do like spicier food, so you will see more recipes with chili or salsa.
Whereas in the U.S., you might find more dairy products with cheese, milk.
I also have noticed that in the US there's a variety, a very wide variety of things at grocery stores so many different types of Oreos, different types of candies of the same thing, but just so many of them.
Yes, I think that's true.
Have you noticed any variety like that in Mexico?
Maybe the US has a variety of Oreos and here we have a variety of salsas, you know habanero classic green,
Yeah, those are the different types.
Or I can think of the example of, like, escuincles.
There's the escuinclote, escuincles that are sweet, escuincles that are spicy, escuincles that have different flavors.
And lots of different maybe types of spices.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Now, I want to discuss the prices and products.
Okay.
So, what's one thing that's really cheap in Mexico but expensive in the U.S.?
I think one...
Big difference could be in avocados.
Avocados are a lot cheaper in Mexico when they're in season and from local stores, not from Walmart.
They can be a lot cheaper than in the US.
True.
I'm thinking as well, eating out at restaurants.
I think it's relatively cheap in Mexico to eat out.
But in the U.S., it's definitely a luxury.
Yes.
What do you think about health care prices in the U.S. versus Mexico?
Well, health care is free in Mexico, so there's not very much of a price difference.
And in the USA, most basic health care plans start at $200 a month.
You know, a salary sometimes of minimum wage people, their entire salary for the month.
So there is a big difference in health care.
I would say that the quality of health care in the US is a little better than Mexico, depending on where you are.
Yeah.
Now, anything that's vice versa, cheaper to buy in the US and more expensive in Mexico?
Certain brands can be cheaper in the US. iPhones, for example.
Some cars that are manufactured in the U.S. can be cheaper to buy over there.
Exactly.
I agree.
I think electronics.
Even when I went to New York to get my Apple headphones, they were like half the price of what they were in Mexico.
But I thought that it would be more expensive to buy them in the US.
So i waited and i came to mexico and i found out that it wasn't and i had to pay three times the price almost now.
But yeah, i would say a lot of things are a lot cheaper in mexico.
Mostly fruit, i think, is the cheapest in mexico.
Is there anything that you miss from the US supermarkets that you can't find in Mexico?
I would say what I miss most is the chips.
I miss Doritos.
The nacho cheese flavor is different in the U.S. than the one that they sell in Mexico.
Probably because of the different tastes.
In the US, the nacho flavor is more cheesy.
And in Mexico, the nacho flavor is a little more spicy.
Yeah.
I think for me, it's probably the sweets.
There's so many sweets in the United States that you can try.
And it's not just one.
It's so many.
And they're experts at making addictive sweets.
So they're pretty good.
Bless you.
Sorry, thank you.
What else?
Oh, one thing that I miss but I didn't have when I was a kid I just had it the last time I went to the US are crumble cookies.
I love crumble cookies and I want to try them again, but that's something that we don't have in Mexico yet Yeah.
Not yet.
And what about vice versa?
What's something you can find in Mexico but you can't find in the U S?
Um, something I can find in Mexico but can't in the U?
S is probably handmade uh Goods, handmade goods.
So, whether that be clothing or utensils, at times it's relatively easy to find handmade goods in Mexico.
If you go to a market, you can probably find pots, pans, or clothing.
You can find a lot of handmade stuff. in Mexico still.
And in the US, it's a little harder.
And they're quality products too.
They're not cheap.
Are there any brands that you wish you had in Mexico?
I'd say nothing.
Why?
Everything that I like Mexico already has.
So as far as my taste, i'm okay.
Okay for me it would be crumble cookie.
I think crumble cookies are too sweet.
I don't like them.
Okay, now some typical foods in the us versus mexico.
What do you usually eat for breakfast in Mexico versus in the US?
A common breakfast in the US is cereal.
Cheerios, corn pops, Fruit Loops, all different kinds of cereal.
So just cereal and milk.
And that's your breakfast.
And in Mexico, I'd say a common breakfast is usually something a little more salty or spicy.
We have chilaquiles, enchiladas.
I think the main difference for me is that in the U.S., the breakfast is sweet.
And in Mexico, the breakfast is savory.
But from what I remember, when I was a kid in the US, we would always have pancakes and bacon for breakfast.
And in Mexico, my go-to breakfast is always chilaquiles.
When I go to a coffee shop or if I get to choose what to have, it's chilaquiles.
Yeah, definitely.
And which do you like more?
Breakfast in the US or breakfast in Mexico?
I like breakfast in Mexico because I am a fan of salty foods.
Yeah.
I think it has more flavor too.
And what's a typical lunch or dinner in Mexico?
A typical lunch usually has some kind of tortilla and maybe a type of salsa, soup or rice.
And what about in the U.S.?
In the U.S., pasta is a little more common.
You don't usually see rice or beans as much.
And instead of tortilla, you'll have some bread.
And do you think people in Mexico cook more at home or eat out at a restaurant?
I think in both places, it's common for normal families to eat at home most of the time.
In the U.S. and in Mexico?
Yes.
Yes. in the U.S. and in Mexico, because eating out is very expensive in both places.
So most families eat at home.
But with the USA's fast food options, sometimes it can be easy for any family to go out.
But in Mexico not many people like fast food and fast food isn't as cheap as it is in the US.
I would say that in Mexico people cook more at home.
But in the U.S., they go out to eat more.
Just at fast food places, so cheap places.
Maybe at least three times a week.
And what time is lunch in Mexico?
Lunch can be around...
12 o'clock, 12, 1 o'clock.
And dinner is around 4 or 5 o'clock.
And what about lunch in the U.S.?
In the U.S., I would also say probably about 12, 12 o'clock.
And then dinner around 6 or 7, a little later in the evening.
What I've noticed from different Mexican families is that breakfast is usually small, like a smoothie or just something for the early morning, like 8 o'clock.
And then a little lunch around 12.
And then dinner is like 4 or 5.
And then, before you go to sleep, you have a hot chocolate with sweet bread or a coffee with sweet bread.
That's what I've noticed with my friends and family that I've seen how they have their schedule.
And even in our family we have an early breakfast, a little lunch at like one, and then dinner at five and then a snack like Cheetos at night.
Mm hmm.
So do you feel like food is more social in Mexico or in the US?
Everyday meals are more social in Mexico.
Lots of Mexican families always eat their dinner together, their lunch together.
Whatever meals they can eat together, they will eat together.
And in the US, Sometimes it's not prioritized to eat together.
I agree.
I think meals are more social in Mexico.
I think it's part of the culture.
We're just more family oriented.
Which food culture do you prefer?
American or Mexican?
And why?
I prefer American food.
Uh, the food culture that Mexico has.
I think it is very similar to what I grew up with.
My family has always eaten together and used food to bring the family together, so I really enjoy that.
I also prefer Mexican food because I enjoy spicy flavors and salty flavors a little more, mm-hmm.
Yeah, I enjoy both.
I've never really liked spicy food.
I like the flavors in Mexico, but I think that the flavors in the U.S. are also very good.
I just think it's a little bit too much for me.
And in Mexico, I feel like there might be more of a balance between the spices, the vegetables and the flavor.
I agree.
So what's your favorite comfort food?
In each country.
My favorite comfort food.
In the US.
Is probably.
Flaming hot Cheetos.
Because I have a lot of memories.
With flaming hot Cheetos.
As a kid.
And.
They have a more.
Lime.
Flavor in the USA.
That in Mexico.
They don't have.
Yeah.
Then in Mexico, I would say my comfort food is probably chalupas.
I really like chalupas.
The potatoes, the lettuce and a little bit of salsa and sometimes a little bit of chicken.
I think is really good and refreshing and everything I like.
I didn't know that.
In Mexico, I'm sure you know, enchiladas suizas.
That's my comfort food.
It's just full of cheese and sour cream.
And they're just the perfect comfort food for when you're not looking to be healthy or to feel light.
You're looking for comfort.
And that's my comfort food in Mexico.
But in the U.S., probably, yeah.
I think Flaming Hot Cheetos because of the memories.
But also maybe like something sweet, like the Oreo ice cream in the bucket that we used to get.
Or... Oatmeal cream pies?
Oatmeal cream pies, that's another one.
But no, the cookies, the ones with the frosting.
I know what you're talking about.
I don't know what they are.
And are there any American foods that you don't like or you can't stand?
I'm...
Not a very picky eater, so I would say no.
I can't think of anything right now that I don't like.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
I think I can't think of anything I don't like, but I can think of something that makes me feel really bad when I eat it.
McDonald's.
McDonald's or Runs Up.
Mm-hmm.
Just because in the U.S. it's just bigger and it just feels greasier.
And I just feel like I can't really enjoy it.
Now, what about Mexican foods that you can't stand?
When I first came to Mexico, I really, really, really did not like mole.
I think many people from other countries don't like mole at first.
Because their palate is not used to such a strong flavor.
Because mole has so many spices, just a very big variety of flavor.
And for somebody who's not from Mexico, it does not taste good.
Even though everybody who is from Mexico that I know They love mole.
They love it.
They love it.
Now that I've been in Mexico for 10 years, I do like mole.
I don't love it, but I do like it.
Yeah, it's kind of like I feel in Mexico when I eat apples with peanut butter.
Mexicans are like, ew, that's gross.
They think the same, I feel.
Or like peanut butter jelly.
Some people really like peanut butter jelly, some Mexicans.
But some Mexicans just don't like it at all.
And it's such a common food to have for Americans.
Mm-hmm.
And another sandwich is peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.
That is a popular U.S. sandwich.
And in Mexico, I don't think anybody thinks of that.
When people think of sandwiches, they think of salty sandwiches in Mexico.
And in the U.S., sandwiches can be salty or sweet.
True.
Now, I want to talk about funny or personal moments in both countries.
Have you ever been shocked by the price of something in a U.S. supermarket that you can remember?
The prices of decorations.
In the US decorations are very common but can be a little pricey to make your house look beautiful.
I was kind of shocked by the tip more than anything.
Like that time we were at our aunt's house, she ordered a pizza and she left 25% tip.
And that was just way too much for me.
In Mexico, the tipping culture is a lot less.
You know, if...
If not non-existent, it's 10%.
If you're being generous, 15%.
But 25% for me, for just a pizza delivery, was a bit much.
And what's the weirdest or funniest thing that you've seen in a grocery store in either country?
I'd probably say the weirdest things I find are in the USA.
You can find almost anything.
You can find a lot of stuff that, to me, I think is a little useless.
You can find candles in the shape of anything.
You can find, you know, Oreos with a taste of anything.
In the same way you spoke about variety in food, there's also a huge variety in products, to the point where I think there might be too much variety in products.
So you can find all sorts of crazy Halloween costumes or crazy.
I saw a lot of crazy charging ports.
I have a charging cube in the shape of a Pringles can.
And there were many other charging cubes with different shapes, styles, that were very cute, but...
I think it can be a lot.
That's true.
Yeah.
It's a lot of unnecessary products.
There was just a lot of unnecessary things that you would use once and then maybe never use again.
But there were so many people there and so many people wanting to buy these things, these products, that to me just seemed a bit wasteful.
But I think in Mexico, there's also strange things maybe to other people.
They would seem strange, like chickens hanging at supermarkets or outdoor markets, cow tongues chopped up. and lined up hanging or um even crickets dried crickets that they sell in a bag and you eat them like like peanuts or like chips yeah uh usa and mexico they're not very different here for example uh i have an example my friend the other day we we were in mexico city And he was walking by a blanket store and he saw a blanket that had one of his favorite singers, El Malia.
And he bought a blanket with his face on it.
So I think that there can be, you know, a lot of wild, crazy products in both places.
El Malia.
Yeah, very strange.
You know, it's like in a lot of, I think, different countries, you'll find weird, random things that you're like.
Why would you make something like that?
So the U.S. isn't the only one.
Have you ever tried to cook something American in Mexico or vice versa?
I remember in the US, when we went to our cousin's graduation, they made tacos, but the tacos were with ground beef.
They were with flour tortillas and with oil.
It was a very different kind of taco, but I also understand, because you don't have all the same ingredients that you need to make the same kind of tacos.
Yes.
Now I want to have a conversation about what feels safer or more comfortable in each country.
So where do you feel safer walking alone at night in the US or in Mexico?
I feel safer walking in the US.
I would say generally in the US.
And in Mexico, I feel safe, but it depends on what city or town I'm in.
Yeah.
And in the U.S., have you ever been to a city where you felt unsafe?
During my recent trip to New York City.
I would say that's probably the only place where I felt unsafe.
Because at night, streets are very empty, very dark.
I would say it is safer than Mexico City, but still not perfect.
Yeah.
And are there any areas or zones that you try to avoid in either country?
Yes.
You want to be careful in Mexico to always stay in Mexico.
Big, well-transited cities in general, if you're going to the north, to the south, or in the middle.
Small towns are safe in Mexico, usually, but you never know.
It's better if you know the town, then you can be okay in the town.
Mm-hmm.
I would say in Mexico.
I felt unsafe in bigger cities like Mexico City, maybe a zone where you shouldn't be going.
You shouldn't go there for a reason.
If somebody tells you not to go somewhere in Mexico, then I would just avoid that.
But other than that, it's generally pretty safe where it's a well-known area with lots of people.
But yeah, I think in our town where we grew up in Mexico, it's very safe.
I've never really felt unsafe there like I have in Puebla or Mexico City.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Pachuca is probably the safest city I've been to in Mexico or at least where I felt the most safe.
Now, let's talk about daily life comfort.
Which country would you say you feel more comfortable in?
I'd say I feel comfort in both.
In the US I probably feel more comfort when it comes to going to the store, going out late at night.
Probably on the roads, the roads in the U.S. are a lot better.
They don't have holes.
Yeah.
They're very smooth, very taken care of.
So for driving and for safety, so to speak, I probably feel more comfortable in the U.S.
Mm-hmm.
And in Mexico, I feel more comfortable for walking.
A lot of people walk and take public transportation in Mexico.
I can walk almost anywhere I'd like.
I can walk to the grocery store.
It's only five minutes away from my house.
And my gym is also five minutes away from my house walking.
So...
I feel very comfortable in that way in Mexico.
Yeah.
I also find more comfort, maybe in the houses in the United States, just because there's air conditioning, there's carpet and just a lot of daily comforts.
Hot water, you know, the pressure of the water is really strong everywhere you go.
It's more that kind of comfort that I would say it's more like a privileged comfort.
And where do you feel more at home?
Um...
I've been in the U.S. for 12 years and in Mexico for another 12.
So I'd say I feel like both of them are my home.
But it's been a long time since I've had a physical home in the USA.
So because of that, I would say Mexico feels more like my home.
Yeah.
For me, it's the same.
Mexico feels more like home.
I think it's more, also because the years, most of the years, while I was growing up, from eight until now 21, I lived in Mexico.
So most of my social life and family and basically my whole life is in Mexico.
Most of your developing years were in Mexico.
Mm-hmm.
Now, I want to talk about the police and authorities.
Do you feel comfortable asking the police for help in Mexico?
Like, versus the U.S.?
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
I do feel comfortable asking the police for help in my experience so far, but...
I do know that the justice system in Mexico can be very corrupt at times.
I have witnessed cops being bribed off for traffic stops.
So I am aware that the system is not perfect and that most people's experience with police has been bad.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I know there has been some controversy, but I think overall the system is good.
Yeah.
I think overall it's better in the US than in Mexico because every person I know, and myself included, has had a bad experience with police in Mexico and corruption with the police.
And how do you think the police are treated differently in Mexico versus in the U.S.?
Do you think they're treated better in Mexico, worse in Mexico?
Treated by who?
People.
Okay.
So in the U.S., I think cops are generally treated good and respected, at least where I am from.
Where I'm from, I think a lot of people respect law enforcement.
But I know that a lot of my generation does not exactly respect police officers.
So I think it really depends on the age group and location.
But generally, I'd say they have a good experience.
And in Mexico, I think the opposite is true.
I think many people don't trust the police and many people can make fun of them or sometimes even you know disrespect them.
Yeah, definitely.
Yeah, I think in both countries they definitely aren't really respected, but I think they're respected a little more in the US because they have a better reputation, at least than Mexican cops.
Now I want to talk about public spaces and public transportation.
So do you feel safe taking public transportation in Mexico?
In my city specifically, we have two main types of transportation, which is a bus that makes stops throughout the city at any point.
You just wave down the bus and if he stops, you get on.
And there's another type of bus which has specific stations throughout the city.
It's not a subway, but it's like a metro.
They call it a metro bus. and it has multiple fixed stops throughout the city.
And these fixed stops have metal detectors and security guards at each stop.
So this kind of metro bus is more safe than the normal bus.
I've heard stories of people on the normal bus.
When these buses go through shady neighbourhoods, some people get their things stolen.
Whereas on the Metro bus, almost nothing ever happens beyond pickpocketing.
And how about driving?
Do you think it's more comfortable to drive in the U.S. or to drive in Mexico?
I think in the US, because the roads are bigger, cleaner and they have no holes usually.
Yeah, all.
Right now i want to wrap up this video with things that you miss from the us and things that you will miss maybe If you go to the US in Mexico.
What's one thing you miss from the US?
One thing I miss is my family.
I miss them a lot.
My aunts and uncles, who I grew up with, still live in the US.
And how about in Mexico?
In Mexico, if I were to leave, I would also miss my family.
All of my dad's family lives in Mexico and we see them almost every month, at least.
I also think maybe the food in Mexico.
I used to miss the food in the United States when we first came to Mexico.
But now when I leave Mexico, I miss Mexican food.
My comfort foods.
Yeah, yeah.
I haven't missed it yet because I never leave.
I also think like if I were to go to the United States...
I would miss the supermarkets and the tianguis and those sort of things that you can always find in Mexico.
But I feel like they're not as common in the United States.
And one moment that you felt very safe in Mexico.
For example, when we're at our grandma's house or our family house, I normally feel very safe there.
Are there any places or people that you feel very safe with in Mexico?
My grandma's hometown is very safe.
It's notoriously safe because Hidalgo is one of the safest states in Mexico with no...
Little to no narco business or anything that you hear on the news.
Hidalgo is very safe and therefore these little towns are just as safe, because they're little communities where everybody knows each other.
My grandmother knows all of her neighbors, almost everybody that lives in the town, to be honest.
And yeah, so I'd say my grandmother's hometown. feels very safe to me.
All right.
Thank you, Brianna, for joining us in today's slow English conversation.
This video had a little bit more challenging vocabulary, but pause if you don't understand a word and try and answer along each question that I ask.
All right.
Thank you, Brianna.
Adios.
Thank you.
Bye.
This is a little different from my other videos, but if you enjoyed it, let me know in the comments and like this video, so I can focus on creating the content that you enjoy the most.
If you liked this, the full version and PDF is available in my course, Miss Honey's Classroom on School, with vocabulary PDFs, grammar practice and even speaking questions to practice with friends or teachers.
Thank you for joining us, Bri.
You can find Brianna's social media in the description below.
Bye.
