Mexican vs Chicano (home, best, Hispanic)

[Nyc77]

I am wondering if someone can tell me the difference.
A friend of mine scolds me whenever I say or refer to him as Mexican. He says he is not Mexican he is Chicano and that they are very much different. I was wondering if someone can please tell me what they are wether it be culturally or anything that will help me understand. I dont know if this matters but he has light skin and green eyes. He says he is from New Mexico but it usually slips he is really from Mexico (which of course does not matter, but I understand everyone has their reasons to say things.)
He mention that it is people in California that confuse the two and think they are one in the same when they very much are not.

Any serious answer is greatly appreciated.

[Count David]

Mexicans are from Mexico.

Chicanos are American-born descendants of people from Mexico.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Nyc77

He mention that it is people in California that confuse the two and think they are one in the same when they very much are not.

He doesn't know WTF he's talking about.

This post and the one before it are both from Calif natives.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Nyc77

I am wondering if someone can tell me the difference.
A friend of mine scolds me whenever I say or refer to him as Mexican. He says he is not Mexican he is Chicano and that they are very much different. I was wondering if someone can please tell me what they are wether it be culturally or anything that will help me understand. I dont know if this matters but he has light skin and green eyes. He says he is from New Mexico but it usually slips he is really from Mexico (which of course does not matter, but I understand everyone has their reasons to say things.)
He mention that it is people in California that confuse the two and think they are one in the same when they very much are not.

Any serious answer is greatly appreciated.

A Mexican is someone from Mexico. Especially with citizenship in that country.

A Chicano was born in the USA, culturally is from the USA, often has never stepped foot in Mexico.

I would think it would be quite obvious if he were from New Mexico as opposed to being from Mexico.

[ferretkona]

A Chicano is more of a mind set at that. Think macho short person attitude.
The best way to address these people is Hispanic not Mexican.

[Bulldogdad]

Chilango maybe but not Chicano. Next time you see him tell him he's no Chicano but a engañador.

[Fontucky]

He'd probably appreciate pocho.

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

He'd probably appreciate pocho.

LOL

thats me.

[HomeIsWhere...]

Originally Posted by Nyc77

I am wondering if someone can tell me the difference.
A friend of mine scolds me whenever I say or refer to him as Mexican. He says he is not Mexican he is Chicano and that they are very much different. I was wondering if someone can please tell me what they are wether it be culturally or anything that will help me understand. I dont know if this matters but he has light skin and green eyes. He says he is from New Mexico but it usually slips he is really from Mexico (which of course does not matter, but I understand everyone has their reasons to say things.)
He mention that it is people in California that confuse the two and think they are one in the same when they very much are not.

Any serious answer is greatly appreciated.

I think it really depends on the person being addressed; having said that, I am from Chicago and I have been told that the preference is to be referred to as Latino/Latina, perhaps it's a regional thing.

I don't know if this resolves your dilemma or not, however (and perhaps) just another point of view.

Mexican?
Chicano?
Hispanic?

Latino/Latina

Best tregards, sincerely

HomeIsWhere...

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

LOL

thats me.

Me too.


These are generalizations, but basically:

1. Paisano (Mexican), this is the person that comes from Mexico. He moves to the US and sus hijos (his kids) are:

2. Chicanos (Mexican-American). This person will likely speak Spanish at home while young or around his parents/family, and may or may not prefer to do so in practice as an adult. Typically more assimilated to mainstream America, and more often bilingual. Unless strongly participant in their parents'/grandparents culture and language, their kids may turn into:

3. Pochos (whom are also Chicanos/Mexican-American). They rarely speak any fluent Spanish, and retain few cultural characteristics of their grandparents, though they may try. These folks, and their children are completely assimilated Americans. The term "Pocho" is often a pejorative, as Chicanos and Paisanos may feel that the Pocho has betrayed or forgotten their culture, even if it is no fault of their own.

Oddly enough, there tends to be a degree of marginalization between the three groups.