Just my 2c on the subject...
I live in the area of Stapley and Southern and over the years it is starting to feel more and more like I am driving through Mexico. I live in one of only 5 houses on the block inhabited by American's, the rest are Mexicans. None of whom speak English. At all. As in you speak English and they just stare at you with a confused look. Or if they need to communicate with you, they try to use hand gestures.
I don't have a problem with my neighbors because they are Mexican (I have some good friends who are Mexican), I have a problem with them because of their lifestyle and attitudes.
1) I am pretty certain at least some of them are in the county illegally. I can understand wanting to come over here and I under stand that the process of doing it legally can be long and complicated. However that does not make your way OK, it is still ILLEGAL.
I am especially opposed to the retarded ideas like putting in water fountains so they don't die on the way over. If they get water fountains to aide them in performing act, I should get a turbo kit for my car to aide me in speeding. Or at least free gas.
2) We have to call the police on average once a month because our Mexican neighbors are playing their Mexican music (sorry, but I don't know the real name for it) at 3a in the morning. Here is the reason it is a problem. I can understand they might not be able to afford a good home stereo system. However, that does not mean you should pull your car into your yard open the doors and use it as a stereo. We have tried to go ask them to turn it down, but they either don't understand or don't care.
3) They have little or no respect for others property. Now, this might not be specific to Mexicans, but my neighborhood is all Mexican so it is the only perspective I have. Example: Neighbor decides to tear down fence and put up a block wall. Ok, considering one side of the wall is half ours you would think they would check with us first. Nope. However this is not too big of a deal because after all, it is an upgrade. Here is where the problems lie... First off, they cut the chain on our gate (I am 100% serious) without our permission because it was easier getting the concrete threw our yard because of their pool. Then they start leaving puddles of concrete in our (grass) yard. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize concrete puddle = dead grass. I had to bring a spanish speaking co-worker/friend over to tell them that if they did not replace the chain and cleanup the concrete we would call the police. After, at this point they are at trespassing, breaking and entering, and (arguable) destruction of private property. Even after this they frequently leave hardware/building supplies in our yard for months at a time. At least my english speaking neighbors of the common courtesy of asking to use our yard.
Lastly since they did the work themselves, there is no quality control. When I go in the back yard and lean against the above wall, you can feel the whole wall move from the weight. Admittedly I am fat, but this a block wall.
4) Disregard for traffic. Now, I have been to Mexico before (including poor parts) so I realize this is normal down there. However it is rude, dangerous, and in some cases up here illegal. Once again, I only see Mexicans doing this, so... In this area (especially Broadway in between Stapley and Gilbert) cars basically are expected to wait for pedestrians. I am not talking about in a crosswalk or at a light. They just cross the road at random spots and will expect you to stop while they finish crossing. I have no problem with people darting across when there is an opening. It might not be the safest thing to do, but no harm no foul. However when I have to come to a complete stop because some idiot decided he didn't want to wait for the light at the corner he just left 60 seconds ago, I get annoyed. It is not like they are hurrying, they just stroll across. Another problem I have is they will stop in the street to chat with a neighbor/friend/whatever. I have to come to a complete stop and wait for them to finish their conversation. That is stupid.
5) Lastly, you are in a English speaking country, SPEAK THE LANGUAGE. I have no problem with them speaking spanish with other spanish speaking people. That is their native language, obviously that will be easier. However, if you are living in a country you should speak the language. Example: We were at the Food City at Mesa Drive and Southern. We wanted a newspaper to see what movies were showing. They didn't have a newspaper machine out front so we decided to go inside and ask. After all, a lot of grocery stores sell papers in side. We checked with 3 cashiers, 2 baggers, 2 deli people, and 2 random employees. Not a one spoke enough english to understand we were looking for a newspaper. The closest we got was one employee brought us to the toilet paper isle.....
6) No parental responsibility when in direct contact with the kids. This is not a Mexican only trait, but it is more common. Mexicans have no problems whatsoever in letting their children run wild around a store. Opening packages, eating non-paid for candy, etc. My first job was working at the Greenbacks (non Dollar Tree) on Gilbert and Southern. Several times a day we would have a Mexican family come up to the register with kids eating non-paid for candy. When you charged them for it, they stated "oh, we don't want that". Tuff, you let them eat it, you are paying for it.
Now if some of you are actually still reading this post, I will say there are some things I have to give them credit for.
1) While the parents don't seem to exercise any form of control over their kids, they do seem to play a lot bigger role in the kids life than most American parents. You see a lot more stay at home moms among Mexicans than Americans and personally I think (in most cases) this is a good thing. Another point is when I leave for work I see Mexican moms walking their kids to school. I know my mom certainly wouldn't walk me to school.
2) To some extent they have a much better work ethic and level of self motivation then Americans. While this might somewhat be a necessity based on circumstances, I see more Mexicans fixing up their homes than Americans by a long shot. In all honesty (despite my other complaints) the nicest looking houses on the block are ones that the Mexicans living there fixed up. The quality might suck, but that is often the case with most do-it-yourself work.
3) They have more of a sense of community. Most of the Mexicans on the block know (or appear to know) their neighbors of 6 months better then us Americans know their neighbors of 6 years. They will also watch out for each other more than Americans I have noticed.
4) They appear to have more of a sense of family. This somewhat goes with the point above, but you see more Mexican families spending time together than American families. I might not like what they are doing, but the fact is they are spending time together. I know for a fact that at least a couple of the Mexican homes on my street have no less than 10 people living in it. While that makes me suspicious of their legal status in this country, I could not stand living with 10 of my relatives for more than a couple months before a fight broke out.
That is how I see it anyways.
