Category Archives: in english

in english

Mexican Independence Day

After all these years, my relationship with the country where I was born and its traditions is different from what it used to be. For example, I'm not afraid to criticise those things I don't agree, however sacred they may be.

However, that doesn't mean that I stopped feeling myself Mexican. On the contrary, I believe I'm more aware of certain aspects of our culture and am proud of it, but I've learned to keep what is worthwhile and discard the rest, which for me has had more to do with attitudes than with popular culture. I've kept the joy and the ability of improvisation, but added some further planning. I've conserved the family ties and my friends, but have become more open to new people and ideas. I've kept listening to Mexican music (traditional or otherwise) and still wear guayaberas or my tejana from time to time (in my wedding I've even used a full charro outfit), but it doesn't mean I won't use something else (Japanese yukatas are great after sauna, for example).

However, this is about Mexican Independence Day. This year I won't be able to attend the reception given by the embassy since it is on Monday and I'll be travelling, but usually I go and have a good time. My wife will represent our family. To make up for that, we decided to cook Mexican tonight and have the appropriate music with my wive's family, and it all went well.  You can judge the results below.

Food for Mexican Independence Day
Food for Mexican Independence Day

As I've said, I'm not a typical Mexican, so what relates me to Mexico is different than otherwise would be. When I think about it, I think about my family, my friends, the food and the music. I would also like to use this occasion to remember those parts of the country we don't usually think about, like our countrymen abroad, the indigenous peoples and the immigrants to the country that are making a better life for themselves there. All these and more are also Mexico.

in english

“Foreigners steal our women”

I have heard plenty of times that before the advent of Nokia one of the main exports of Finland were its women, and that still today Finnish women will tend to marry foreigners.  Notwithstanding whether I agree with this sentence or not, it is true that the stereotypical Finnish male has a lot of sisu but lacks in his communication skills. 

Therefore, I suggest that in order to handle the perceived threat to the status quo, instead of complaining, the stereotypical Finnish male demonstrates the same determination to improve his situation.  Some advice to follow could include the following:

  • Listen to what she has to say.  She may not want your help in solving her problems (she's an independent, proud Finnish woman anyway), but a little bit of empathy goes a long way.
  • Leave the bottle.  Really.
  • Use your natural advantages.  The stereotypical Finnish man is handy, so be handy.
  • Telling her "I love you" more than once in a lifetime is acceptable, as long as you mean it.
  • Hug her.  Hugging doesn't need to preclude intercourse.  Other sorts of physical contact like holding hands are fine too.
  • Respect her.  Which doesn't mean leave her alone to do all the housework.
  • Surprise her.  Yes, it might include going to the theatre or some other activity you might not like, but be a man and stick to it.
  • Be there.  Because if she's the right woman she'll be there for you too.

Don't worry, it might sound difficult at first but you might be surprised how low-maintenance the stereotypical Finnish woman is, since she's used to being quite independent too.  You will both learn a lot.  Good luck.

Disclaimer:  I know very few men (and women) who do reflect this stereotype, but if you feel referred to it's not my problem.

in english

The middle class will save us

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This article in The Economist and this cartoon by Paco Calderón make it clear: only the emergence of a middle class will save the democratic processes we're ongoing in the region.  Consumerism can also be a force for good, if it makes our societies more demanding of economic stability and growth.  The more we have to lose, the less receptive to social experiments we are.

Or maybe we might want the same consumer experiences Cubans enjoy?

in english

Finland report in the FT

Last Wednesday I read this full report on Finland and its economic outlook (some of the articles available here).

My main learnings below:

  • Economic growth hasn't translated in lower unemployment nor higher incomes per capita.
  • The baby boomer retirement bomb will explode here earlier than in the rest of Europe.
  • In order to maintain the same amount of people in the workforce, immigration would be needed.  However, the country is not prepared for it nor is very attractive.
  • There is a lot of focus in innovation, but not enough in marketing that innovation (which is obvious when one reads articles like this one).  Entrepreneurship is really minimal.
in english

On China

A couple of random thoughts I have been munching on:

  1. Just finished reading this book.  Even though many things are most probably not true, even if this guy did only 25% of what they claim he's worst than most of the other dictators in the world.
  2. Finnair's Asian strategy is working.  So much so, that my direct flights HEL-MAD-HEL were full of Spaniards and Chinese coming and going on holiday (there were very few Finns).  There were a couple of "little emperors" but nothing too annoying really.  The comparison with their partner Iberia couldn't be more lopsided, since in their case the results from their Latin American strategy are a mess (if you fly within Europe service is pretty OK, but if you fly long haul the airline changes from Iberia to Siberia).