What should we send to Mexico?

October 27, 2016 4:29 AM

A man at a car dealership in Mexico did us a huge solid today. We were very lost, and he called us a cab and let us sit with him at his desk. We had a really pleasant chat while we waited. He wouldn't take the money I tried to give him. We want to send him a thank-you box of goodies from the USA. What might go over well in Mexico?

Non-melty or perishable items only please! Thank you.

posted by topoisomerase to Society & Culture (7 answers total)

I think just send a personal card with a nice note/letter, maybe a photo or a postcard from where you live?
posted by carter at 5:19 AM on October 27, 2016

Response by poster: Actual item recommendations please. We're looking for things that are harder to find in Mexico and might be a fun novelty for his kids. Like, say, getting Canadian smarties in the US.

We're already sending a personal note.
posted by topoisomerase at 5:22 AM on October 27, 2016 [2 favorites]

Having lived four years in Mexico, nothing is that hard to find in Mexico that is found in the US. Certain chocolates that will perish in the mail maybe. Thanks NAFTA! Thirding personalized note with photo or via postcard. Antitrump stuff might go over well -- haha.
posted by pynchonesque at 7:24 AM on October 27, 2016

When I used to take my kids into Canada (from the US), they wanted touristy stuff with the Canadian flag on it.

I got a lot of results googling "food items only available in Canada."
posted by FencingGal at 7:37 AM on October 27, 2016

I'd go with something your hometown/region is known for. Either a consumable nonperishable nonmeltable - a hard candy, a box mix for your local cake/biscuit/bread, a bottle of your region's renowned BBQ/hot sauce or maple syrup - or a little piece of artsy souvenir. A customer I did a favor for once sent me a small (3"x5") mounted watercolor of their (distinct, local landmark) building, for example.

If your conversation with the man revealed he had kids, some kind of small present for them is also a good bet, and your local museums' gift shops might be a place to find something very specific to your area that's also meant to travel fairly well.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:48 AM on October 27, 2016 [1 favorite]

If he has kids and he works in a car dealership, why not send him a neat themed set of Hot Wheels (Star Wars!) for the kids and some kind of classic car miniature for him, like an old Chevy or a Ford Mustang, something pleasingly detailed and intricate that is very Americana and also basically a big toy car for adults to fiddle with on their desks.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:39 AM on October 27, 2016 [1 favorite]

So, just to add some social context...you should realize that the gift is going to be a bit extravagant for the situation. Not that you shouldn't appreciate the sales guy, but this is socially expected hospitality in Mexico. Know that, for whatever you do.

Best analogy I can think of off the top of my head: Imagine you are going into an apartment building, and somebody pushing a stroller is also entering. And they have a lot of bags, maybe groceries, in addition to the kid. So you hold the door for them, realize they're struggling, offer to take a paper bag or two. You leave the stuff at the apartment, they thank you, you go on with your day.

If suddenly a fancy bottle of wine showed up at your apartment door, it would be a little weird, right? Even though you would accept it and drink it? Like, just a bit *too much*?

This situation, contextually, is like that.

If it were me, I would figure out who he is, send him a nice message on facebook (or whatever), and offer to be nebulous digital friends. If he's ever visiting nearby, you are obligated to meet up with him and probably to take him to some vague attraction or nice dinner.
posted by migrantology at 11:50 AM on October 27, 2016 [10 favorites]