Characteristics of Cultural and Ethnic Groups

An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other
through a common heritage, consisting of a common culture, including a
shared language or dialect.
The largest ethnic group in Mexico is the Mestizos who are of mixed Spanish
and Indian ancestry. The next largest group is the indigenous population who
largely retain their sense of distinct identity. The Mexican government
recognizes 56 different indigenous groups and these cultures who live in rural
isolated areas. These people are generally poor and their main wealth is
traditional and spiritual and their way of life filled with communal customs and
rituals.
The largest indigenous group is the Nahua, descendants of the Aztecs. There
are at least 1.7 million Nahuatl speakers. There are approximately 1 million
Maya speakers, 500 000 Zapotecs, 500 000 Mixtecs, 260 000 Totonacs, and
130 000 Purepechas. The other 50 groups are very small and are spread out
throughout the Mexican territory.
Languages
The national and more spoken language in Mexico is Spanish. Other important
languages are the Maya and Nahuatl, as well as other regional indigenous
languages.
Religion
Religion plays a central role in Mexican culture and the overwhelming majority
of the population is Roman Catholic (89%). Old traditions still survive however.
In the traditional Indian world almost everything has a spiritual dimension
animals, trees, rivers, wind, rain, sun, and hills have their own gods or spirits.
And these may be invoked in ancient ceremonies for their own purposes.
Witchcraft and magic also still survive.
A very small percentage of other religions are also practiced in Mexico
including Protestantism and Judaism.
You can consult more about culture and ethnic groups in Mexico at the
following website: http://www.questconnect. org/mexico_cc_ethnic.htm
You may consult more about culture and ethnic groups in the United States at
the following website: http://www.usa. gov/Citizen/Topics/History-Culture.shtml

Kathy:

Look over there! That sweater looks great.

Monica:
Yes, it does. Hmm let's see the price. $300.00 ... It is more
expensive than I thought!
Kathy:
But it still is cheaper than the normal cost. It is marked down
30%... Let me see ... it is
size large and I need a smaller one ... maybe a
size medium.
Monica:

Let's go see the blouses. Look at this blue one. It looks nice.

Kathy:
Yes, it does, but ... don't you like blouses with longer sleeves?
These sleeves are shorter than what you usually wear.
Monica:
You're right, but they look nice. However, I think a lighter blue
would be nicer. Do you see a lighter blue blouse like this one?
Kathy:

Here is one, but it is size S. You need a larger size.

Monica:
Too bad. I hate this. When I find something I like, it isn't my
size. There are smaller than my size or larger than my size. How frustrating!
Kathy:

Well, how about looking for shoes?

Monica:

I like the idea ... let's go to the shoe department.

Kathy:
Look! Those high-heeled red leather shoes would look great on
your long thin feet, don't you think so?
Monica:
Yes, but I think the heels are very high. I like shoes with lower
heels than those ... Let's say... like those black shoes over there.
Kathy:
The black ones look more comfortable than the red ones. They
also may be more reasonable, because they are less fancy and fashionable than
the red ones.
Monica:
But they are closed shoes. Soon the weather will be hotter than
now Maybe I should get some sandals.

Kathy:
You're right. You will be more comfortable and happier with
sandals than using closed shoes. I also think you will look prettier with sandals
with all the beautiful new dresses you bought last week.
Monica:

Now... I just hope they have my size.

Saleswoman: Good afternoon ladies, may I help you?

Monica:

Yes. I am looking for a pair of black shoes like these Size 7.

Saleswoman: Sure I will be back in a minute. Please, sit down.

(After a couple of minutes the saleswoman comes back with the pair of shoes
Monica asked for)
Saleswoman: Here you are.
Monica:
(Tries the shoes on.) They feel fine, but ... the right shoe is
tighter than the left one.
Saleswoman:
That is normal. Sometimes one foot is a little bigger or wider than the
other. Let me stretch it out for you Now try it on again.
Monica:

Feels better than before, but Im indecisive.

Kathy:

They look nice. Are you going to buy them?

Monica:
I need to think about it. I think I want something more casual than
these shoes. Thank you Miss.
Saleswoman:

You`re welcome. Come back soon.

Human beings like competition. Since the beginning of times, the human being has
always tried to demonstrate to others and to himself that he can do things better.
Sports, industry, science... are some of the areas of human life that are constantly
developing techniques and knowledge to solve problems or just simply to become
better.
Companies advertise to get people to buy their products or use their services. Every
company wants its clients to believe their product is the best. For example, a car
company may announce one of their products like the safest, most economical, most
comfortable, and most powerful car in the market. Or a hotel can sell their service by
letting their customers know that they received an award for being the most attractive
and luxurious accommodation in a certain city.
What about food or entertainment? We want to eat the tastiest hamburger, the sweetest
chocolate cake, or the crunchiest granola bar. We want to see the scariest movie, the
funniest comedy, or buy tickets to see the most talented magician.
Competition is the word in the Olympics. As we read at the beginning of this book, Ana
Gabriela Guevara is today the fastest wo-man in Mexico. We are always interested in
knowing who is the best person doing something, or what has the most of something,
In 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, went on
a shooting party and became involved in an argument. Which was the fastest game bird
in Europe the golden plover or the grouse? He realized then that a book supplying the
answers to this sort of question might prove popular. He was right!
Sir Hugh's idea became reality when Norris and Ross McWhirter, who worked for a factfinding agency in London at that time, were asked to compile what became The
Guinness Book of Records. The first edition was bound on August 27, 1955, and went to
the top of the British bestseller lists by Christmas that year.
Since then, Guinness World Records- has become a household name and the global
leader in world records. It collects, confirms, accredits and presents world record data.

Stewart Newport, the current Keeper of the Records, maintains a vigilant watch to
guarantee the accuracy and relevance of each and every Guinness World Record-. His
team of researchers operates with impartiality and commitment to veracity. A fact may
only become a Guinness World Record" when it's tested, verified and elevated above all
suspicion.

The