I’ve been to both countries many times. Here are my observations:
这两个国家我都去过很多次了，我的观察如下：
• The most obvious difference in terms of quality of life is that China is way safer and more stabilized than Mexco is. There are no towns in China that are run by drug cartels the same way there are in Mexco. Also, in Mexco, it is very common to see police officers wearing full body armor patrolling the streets. You don’t see that in China.
• That being said, the best thing I like about Mexco is that Mexcans are extremely friendly. In fact, I would say they are the friendliest people I’ve met. I speak no Spanish, but yet, every time I visit Mexco, I’m always greeted with smiles and friendliness. So many Mexcans would go out of the way to help me, even if we can’t communicate at all.
I’m not saying Chinese people aren’t friendly. Chinese people definitely are very friendly… but you have to pass their barriers first. Chinese people treat friends really well, but you really have to earn that friendship. Chinese people are quite rude to strangers (although that has been changing in recent years), whereas Mexcans are super friendly to everyone.
• I feel safer driving in Mexco than in China, although both countries are quite bad at road safety. Mexcan driving is aggressive, but as long as you are also aggressive, then driving in Mexco is absolutely doable (I’ve done this many times); but I’ve never driven in China before, and I don’t think I want to.
• Contrary to popular (American) beliefs, Mexcans are NOT lazy. In fact, they are some of the hardest working people around. The typical work week in Mexco is Monday through Saturday, so they work six days a week. I also believe Mexcans work longer hours per week more than any other country on the entire North American continent.
That being said, work culture in China is no joke, with the notorious 996 (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week). My conclusion is that both countries are a nightmare to work in.
• Both countries have delicious food with questionable food safety. I love Chinese food, but I’m not so much a fan of Mexcan food, so I’m going with China on this one. But in terms of food safety… I’ve never gotten real food poisoning from either country, but I have felt dizzy and the “I want to puke” sensation multiple times from eating street food in both countries. So I guess we’ll just call this one a draw.
• Both countries are loud. People love blasting loud music everywhere. Mexcans work hard, but they party harder. Chinese people, on the other hand, are just loud in everything they do; from watching TV, to playing music, to talking, etc. Everything has to be done at ear-shattering volumes. I don’t like this aspect in either country.
• Mexco is a free country. Mexcans can vote for their representative and go on Facebook
•墨西哥是一个自由的国家。墨西哥人可以给他们的代表投票，也能使用Facebook
• Corruption is way more in your face in Mexco. Even I’ve been robbed by a Mexcan police officer before. China definitely has a lot of corruption, but those corruptions tend to happen at higher levels, and they tend to not be in your face. I’ve visited China numerous times, yet no public official has ever openly demanded that I give them money.
Those are my observations. My personal conclusion is that both Mexco and China are very fun and exciting countries to visit, and I know for sure I’ll keep on visiting both countries. However, neither country is for me, and I wouldn’t move to either one.
Forget about per-capita GDP, that’s what one makes for the boss. Whether the boss pays you fairly is another matter.
Let’s compare the wages instead. At this point, the average wage in China is US$900/month, while that of Mexco is only US$500/month, roughly comparable to Thailand.
Wages - Countries - List
And guess what’s, that number is actually going DOWN in Mexco.
Yet curiously, life in Mexco isn’t all that bad at all, that’s because Mexcans have no qualm spending beyond their means. And those who do have expendable incomes aren’t so butt-hurt about sharing their resources with less affluent friends and family, regardless of whether they’re responsible of their own poverty or not (e.g. ninis, el Brayan, la Kimberli). OTOH, poorer Mexcans often think they’re entitled to the surplus of more affluent friends and relatives. They don’t see their own irresponsibility as “wrong”, yet they get really hung up on “fair sharing” as a Catholic virtue.
Sorry about the negativity, but I’m just FED UP with those rural loser relatives demanding (sometime violently) “fair share” as if that’s the only virtue that matters.
