why do so many people think New Mexico is part of Mexico (Gallup: to live, areas)

[city_data91]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

You only need to read that column once though. It's the same story over and over. ;-)

When I first stated to friends that I was moving to New Mexico (ever so long ago, now) I didn't get the "You don't speak Spanish!, Don't drink the water!, etc." comments, but one friend said, "Yeah, I bet you're moving down there so you can hang out on the beach all day!"

ABQConvict

When I lived in Massachusetts, someone tried to sell me a beach towel for when I go to the beach in New Mexico (or maybe he thought it was Mexico?) Ether way, he had a major misconception.

There was someone else that kept insisting I was going to Mexico for college and when I told him New Mexico was part of America he said "Where is it? The South?"

[tator89]

Originally Posted by tator89

i live in ok and its funny because when i say i was born in new mexico ppl just stare and ask whats it like down in mexico... i find it astounding when ppl just dont get the fact that new mexico is a fact. but i find it more amusing more often then aggravating.

i meant state. i just read what i wrote. oops

[city_data91]

I agree it is amusing at first, but it gets aggravating when you keep having to explain to the same person that New Mexico is a state and they just don't get it.

[Loggerhead Shrike]

Also many think that Baja California is part of the USA!

[mikeydoo21]

they didnt pay attention in social study class

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by mikeydoo21

they didnt pay attention in social study class

Geography class?

[skinem]

Unfortunately, this ignorance isn't limited to New Mexico. I was asked once if I already had my passport when I was going to Carrizozo to see my grandma. I don't know where that came from as you didn't need one to go to Mexico much less New Mexico. I've also been asked (back in the 1960s) if I'd ever had any "trouble with the Indians"...my, my, my. I wanted to either slap them or tell them "Yup. Burned the homestead just last week. Lost pa. Tragic."

[mikeydoo21]

where i went to school geography was covered in social studies

[malamute]

Originally Posted by MZBEA

I lived in New Mexico for long enough to realize that people think of it as Mexico because it FEELS like Mexico. Very little diversity, more illegals than Mexizona (Arizona), very poor healthcare, unfriendly, callous people, an odd mix of the wealthy, very wealthy, poor, destitute and working class poor.

At least in New Mexico, from Deming to Taos, this was our experience.

On the good side, we lived with ONE person who was a friendly, lovely, hard working person. His girlfriend, a native to that area, agreed with my assessment of our experience there. Our experience between Silver City and Gila Hot springs was at least ok.....but we didn't live there. Faywood Hot Springs would have been an ideal place to work and live but for the owner. We hope some forward-looking, friendly entrepreneurs buy the place soon.

Also the Mexicans are saying the SW belongs to Mexico and they're taking it back so it's probably okay if some Americans think they've already accomplished that.

[caydriver]

Oh you poor MZBEA. I so hope you were able to move from this horrible country! Toodles dear.