Learning to Laugh at Myself—A Lesson from Mexico

The wonky cake is revealed with a cry of, “Nailed It!”

The main host bursts into laughter and exclaims, “It looks like Jesus on the cross!”

I clap my hand over my mouth to avoid spitting out my diet Coke. I look over at my boyfriend who is laughing—both at the comment from the television host and at my reaction.

We are watching Nailed It! Mexico—a baking show where amateur bakers compete against one another for the hopes of winning 200,000 pesos (about $10,000 CAD).

“Did he really just say that?” I ask. “Isn’t Mexico a heavily Catholic country? And he said that on television? What the heck?”

My boyfriend grew up in Puebla, Mexico and moved to the U.S. as a teenager. As I would soon discover, to him, this type of humour was nothing new.

“Mexicans don’t take themselves too seriously,” he told me after he stopped laughing. “They poke fun at each other all the time; you just learn to develop a thick skin.”

A dessert falls into pieces

Now, don’t get me wrong—I understand that in this context, we are watching a baking competition, and the judges have to make comments to help the contestants improve.

But often times, they didn’t just give constructive criticism; they made fun of them blatantly. According to my boyfriend, this is all in good fun, and not done in a malicious way.

As someone who is used to the G-rated competition shows from Canada and America where they are afraid to be too harsh for fear of offending someone, watching Nailed It! Mexico was a completely new experience.

Now, don’t get me wrong—we have Gordon Ramsay and Simon Cowell and others who aren’t afraid to be harsh. But this struck me as different. Maybe because it wasn’t just criticism but more of a mocking humour.

I have to say, though, after a few episodes, it did start to feel normal, and yes—funny.

A man laughing

And there is something to be said for the contestants because they always take it well. They laugh right along with the judges when their creations are teased.

I’ve never seen someone cry or get upset or take it to heart. Perhaps it’s the style of show because it’s meant to be fun, silly, and outrageous. After all, you don’t ask an amateur home baker to make a three-tiered cake and expect it to turn out well!

And while people’s feelings should certainly be taken into account and comments that go too far and equate to bullying are not okay, I feel that the Nailed It! Mexico show strikes a good balance.

I appreciate the brazen nature of the Mexican hosts and also the good-natured attitudes of the contestants. It’s kind of like, “Hey, you have to be able to laugh at yourself, right?”

I tend to take myself too seriously, and I absolutely hate making mistakes. This Mexican show is a great call to bring me down to earth. I get to see people trying their best, not living up to the expectations they hope for, and being okay with it at the end of the day.

My boyfriend told me this kind of humour is common not just in tv, but in regular life. Having the ability to poke fun at one another and take it in a good spirit is an important aspect of Mexican culture.

They are a people that enjoys life, vibrancy, and laughter. And they don’t get offended easily. Nailed It! Mexico was a great example of that for me. And the next time one of my own cakes turns out burnt on the bottom, I will try to laugh instead of cry.

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Stacey is a writer who loves learning about cultures, religions, and languages. Even though she has only visited two countries, there are many she would love to explore: Mexico, Australia, Japan, and Ireland are among her top choices. In her free time, Stacey can be found watching old TV shows, practicing languages on Duolingo, and seeking out English bulldogs to pet in the park.

The Importance of Family in Mexico

Farmer’s Market

One example of this value in action is in the small number of long-term care homes in Mexico.

Unlike in Canada, aging parents are not sent to live in old age homes as soon as daily life becomes more difficult; rather, their family steps in to help take care of them.

When a parent is struggling to manage at home, the first step is often to hire home help. This allows the aging parent to remain in their own home and keep as much independence as possible, while also benefiting from extra assistance in daily living.

Once this solution is no longer viable (i.e., the parent requires more help than what can be provided), they typically move in with a family member, usually one of their children.

This may seem like a big responsibility—and it is. But family is just that important.

An elderly person sits in a wheelchar in a stark hallway

The downfalls of long-term care homes were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many were found to be short-staffed, leaving residents on their own much of the time, with only their television for company.

By contrast, elderly parents in Mexico are surrounded by their kids, grandkids, and other relatives. They can live in a comfortable home, rather than a strange place.

They get to be part of everyday life, do what they can to help in small ways, and feel like they haven’t been forgotten.

In Mexico, parents take care of their kids and one day, the kids take care of them. I think Canadians would do well to learn from their example.

In Mexico, it’s common to see children following their mothers around large farmer’s markets, helping to carry heavy bags full of fruits and vegetables without complaint.

Meanwhile in Canada, it seems asking kids to do anything comes with, “Not now, Mom, I’m busy!” Or “Right after this round!” while they punch at their PlayStation controllers, eyes fixed on bright screens.

In Mexico, a parent doesn’t ask their children for help with a soft, sweet tone and a promise of a reward; it’s simply expected that the children will contribute when needed.

This is because family is one of the primary values in Mexican culture and the importance of the family is instilled in children from a young age.

As children grow into teenagers and, one day, parents themselves, this way of life continues. Regardless of age, responsibility to one’s family remains paramount.

An elderly person with hands clasped

The good news is that Mexican people tend to have larger families, and often the burden can be shared amongst several children.

For example, one child may allow the parent to live with them for several months.

When a break is needed, the next child is there to take up the slack. This allows it to be a team-effort and not one person’s sole duty.

This may be hard to imagine, as this solution is so rarely utilized here. Most people work full-time and have kids of their own.

The thought of taking care of an elderly parent on top of that can seem impossible.

But it’s not that Mexican people have fewer responsibilities—the difference is, they make their family a priority.

An elderly man lifts a smiling baby into the air

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Stacey loves learning about cultures, religions, and languages. There are many countries she would love to explore, including Mexico, Australia, Japan, and Ireland. In her free time, she can be found watching old TV shows and seeking English bulldogs to pet in the park.

Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life

A woman dressed as La calavera catrina on day of the dead

For most, a holiday with “dead” in the title would seem morbid. In reality, it’s just the opposite.

Dia de Muertos is a lively and warm celebration of the life of a loved one who has passed away. It’s a day to honour their memory and invite them back home.

One way Dia de Muertos is celebrated is by setting up an ofrenda. The word ofrenda translates to “offering.”

It’s a homemade altar set up in one’s home as a way to pay respects to the dead and invite their soul to come back and visit.

A photo of the deceased is placed on it as well as food and drink they enjoyed while they were alive.

Mexicans believe that the departed souls come back and consume the food to give them strength on their journeys.

a popular offering is pan de muerto or “bread of the dead”

Losing a loved one is the hardest thing we will experience in this life. As time passes and the shock and grief subside, it can be hard to figure out how to move forward.

We want to incorporate the love we still have for them into our lives without allowing the thought of their passing to take up our every moment. Just because they’re gone from the earth doesn’t mean they no longer matter to us.

That’s why the Mexican celebration of Dia de Muertos or “Day of the Dead” has always fascinated me.

For those who have never heard of it, or perhaps aren’t quite sure what it is, Dia de Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd every year.

No, it isn’t the same as Halloween, despite falling at a similar time on the calendar. It isn’t a day for collecting candy or jumping out at your friends with scary masks on.

Rather, it’s a special time to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed away. In Mexican culture, death is not seen as scary and unnatural, as it often is in the west. It’s seen as an inevitable reality to be accepted as going hand-in-hand with life. 

flor de muerto or “flower of the dead”

Another important part of Dia de Muertos is getting together with family to clean and decorate the tombstones of loved ones.

Setting out Flor de Muerto or “flower of the dead” is important as well. These are Mexican marigolds that have a strong scent and bright orange colour, which is thought to help guide the spirits back home. 

Perhaps one reason Dia de Muertos is misaligned with Halloween is that many people paint their faces to look like calaveras (skulls).

This isn’t an attempt to scare anyone, as it would be in Canada on October 31st. Instead, it’s to poke fun at mortality and is a recognition that we will all end up that way in the end.

Dia de Muertos is the one time of year where friends and family who have passed on can come back and visit their earthly relatives. It’s a time to remember, celebrate, and honour their lives. 

It’s a beautiful celebration and one we can learn many lessons from. Namely—don’t forget those that mattered to you, even once they are no longer with you in the physical form.

You can still laugh, share memories, and connect with others who knew them as a way to keep their memory and spirit alive. 

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Stacey is a writer who loves learning about cultures, religions, and languages. Even though she has only visited two countries, there are many she would love to explore: Mexico, Australia, Japan, and Ireland are among her top choices. In her free time, Stacey can be found watching old TV shows, practicing languages on Duolingo, and seeking out English bulldogs to pet in the park.