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Ask a Mexican
From award-winning columnist and favorite talking head Gustavo Arellano, comes this explosive, irreverent, smart, and hilarious Los Angeles Times bestseller.
¡Ask a Mexican! is a collection of questions and answers from Gustavo Arellano that explore the clichés of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.
At a strong eighteen percent of the U.S. population, Latinos have become America's largest minority—and Mexicans make up a large part of that number. Gustavo confronts the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to him by readers of his ¡Ask a Mexican! column in California's OC Weekly. He challenges readers to find a more entertaining way to understand Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.
From lighter topics like Latin pop and great Mexican food to more serious issues like immigration and race relations, ¡Ask a Mexican! runs the gamut. Why do Mexicans call white people gringos? Are all Mexicans Catholic? What's the best tequila? Gustavo answers a wide range of legitimate and illegitimate questions, in the hopes of making a few readers angry, making most of us laugh, sparking a greater dialogue, and enhancing cross-cultural understanding.
¡Ask a Mexican! is a collection of questions and answers from Gustavo Arellano that explore the clichés of lowriders, busboys, and housekeepers; drunks and scoundrels; heroes and celebrities; and most important, millions upon millions of law-abiding, patriotic American citizens and their illegal-immigrant cousins who represent some $600 billion in economic power.
At a strong eighteen percent of the U.S. population, Latinos have become America's largest minority—and Mexicans make up a large part of that number. Gustavo confronts the bogeymen of racism, xenophobia, and ignorance prompted by such demographic changes through answering questions put to him by readers of his ¡Ask a Mexican! column in California's OC Weekly. He challenges readers to find a more entertaining way to understand Mexican culture that doesn't involve a taco-and-enchilada combo.
From lighter topics like Latin pop and great Mexican food to more serious issues like immigration and race relations, ¡Ask a Mexican! runs the gamut. Why do Mexicans call white people gringos? Are all Mexicans Catholic? What's the best tequila? Gustavo answers a wide range of legitimate and illegitimate questions, in the hopes of making a few readers angry, making most of us laugh, sparking a greater dialogue, and enhancing cross-cultural understanding.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
34 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Gustavo Arellano
13 books64 followersGustavo Arellano is the author of ¡Ask a Mexican!, a nationally syndicated weekly column published by Orange County's alternative weekly OC Weekly. It was first published in 2004 as a one-time spoof, but it ended up becoming one of the weekly's most popular columns.
Every week, readers would submit their questions based on Mexicans, including their customs, labor issues, and illegal immigration. Arellano responds to these questions in a politically incorrect manner often starting with the words "Dear Gabacho."
On May 1, 2007, Reuters featured the column on its news homepage under the "Oddly Enough" heading.
Every week, readers would submit their questions based on Mexicans, including their customs, labor issues, and illegal immigration. Arellano responds to these questions in a politically incorrect manner often starting with the words "Dear Gabacho."
On May 1, 2007, Reuters featured the column on its news homepage under the "Oddly Enough" heading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 13, 2012
sometimes I over think things, case in point: this book. I started reading it at Sarah's a few weeks ago and found it entertaining enough but this weekend I tried to listen to more of it on audio and I couldn't stop thinking about it enough to listen to it.
reason #1. should I be laughing at this? why not, I laugh at my own American-ness all the time. the fact that I'm worried about laughing at this might indicate that I feel some sort of affinity to protect Mexicans which might also indicate that I feel a superiority that would put me in a position of allowing myself to feel protective. that's no good.
reason #2. My tolerance for people asking idiotic questions like, "why don't Mexicans learn English" or "why do Mexicans pronounce their names with an accent" are so far gone that their ignorance is no longer laughable but rather nauseating.
reason #3. If I were to get an occasional chuckle from the ignorance of the people asking questions aren't I defining myself as intelligent enough to not share their perspectives? and then I'm separating myself from them, classifying myself as "smart" and them as "stupid" and how is that better than classifying "them" as Mexican" and me as not? IT'S ALL CLASSIFYING/SORTING/DEFINING!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!
reason #1. should I be laughing at this? why not, I laugh at my own American-ness all the time. the fact that I'm worried about laughing at this might indicate that I feel some sort of affinity to protect Mexicans which might also indicate that I feel a superiority that would put me in a position of allowing myself to feel protective. that's no good.
reason #2. My tolerance for people asking idiotic questions like, "why don't Mexicans learn English" or "why do Mexicans pronounce their names with an accent" are so far gone that their ignorance is no longer laughable but rather nauseating.
reason #3. If I were to get an occasional chuckle from the ignorance of the people asking questions aren't I defining myself as intelligent enough to not share their perspectives? and then I'm separating myself from them, classifying myself as "smart" and them as "stupid" and how is that better than classifying "them" as Mexican" and me as not? IT'S ALL CLASSIFYING/SORTING/DEFINING!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!
September 10, 2016
¡Ask a Mexican!
– Gustavo Arellano
2**
This is a collection of columns written by Arellano in California’s OC Weekly news magazine. It was originally suggested by his editor, and Arellano had been answering his “Why do Mexicans…..?” questions for five years. He didn’t mind being the source of cultural information, and figured “why not?” so the column was born. It’s become wildly popular and has now been syndicated in several other newspapers across the country.
Like most such satirical / humorous columns, they are best taken once a week. Reading all of them at once was a bit much. Yes, he does impart some history of Mexico and Mexican culture, and even I (the daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants) learned a few curse words. However, on the whole I was bored and didn’t find his “humor” very funny. I did like the descriptions of food … especially how his mother would buy three kinds of tripa for her menudo (same as my Aunt Pepa).
And, why can’t Goodreads manage to include the appropriate punctuation in the official title?
2**
This is a collection of columns written by Arellano in California’s OC Weekly news magazine. It was originally suggested by his editor, and Arellano had been answering his “Why do Mexicans…..?” questions for five years. He didn’t mind being the source of cultural information, and figured “why not?” so the column was born. It’s become wildly popular and has now been syndicated in several other newspapers across the country.
Like most such satirical / humorous columns, they are best taken once a week. Reading all of them at once was a bit much. Yes, he does impart some history of Mexico and Mexican culture, and even I (the daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants) learned a few curse words. However, on the whole I was bored and didn’t find his “humor” very funny. I did like the descriptions of food … especially how his mother would buy three kinds of tripa for her menudo (same as my Aunt Pepa).
And, why can’t Goodreads manage to include the appropriate punctuation in the official title?
January 25, 2009
Absolutely loved this book. As a Chicana I couldn't help but laugh at myself. Arellano has a very unique approach in dealing with racist questions.
When others will get outraged he prefers to counteract those comments and questions with comedy and sprinkling in some historical info along the way. I really was facinated by the knowledge I gained about my own self. Kudos to Gustavo Arellano and I can't wait for the next book. Gracias
When others will get outraged he prefers to counteract those comments and questions with comedy and sprinkling in some historical info along the way. I really was facinated by the knowledge I gained about my own self. Kudos to Gustavo Arellano and I can't wait for the next book. Gracias
July 26, 2008
From Orange County's Gustavo Arellano columns he create a book which he answers the questions to those who are curious about Mexicans and the Mexican culture.
As a Mexican/Chicano I took a look at this book thinking it would be offensive, but to my surprise it was highly informative and humorous in which he would poke holes in the arguments of racists and Neoconservatives with facts. As well he doesn't let political correctness hold him back as he would poke fun of Mexican mannerisms. Yes I don't like people dissin my culture and stuff, but I don't like the extreme political correctness yea I know we must respect each other BUT COME ON!! learn to laugh with others and at yourself.
Many first generation Mexican born Raza and extreme politically correct Xicano/a's might find it offensive.
But like it or not there many truths/problems we as Raza must come face to face by confronting it head instead of avoiding it so we came move forward here and find our place in this country.
Parody, humor and political satire are great weapons against the forces of ignorance bigotry.
As a Mexican/Chicano I took a look at this book thinking it would be offensive, but to my surprise it was highly informative and humorous in which he would poke holes in the arguments of racists and Neoconservatives with facts. As well he doesn't let political correctness hold him back as he would poke fun of Mexican mannerisms. Yes I don't like people dissin my culture and stuff, but I don't like the extreme political correctness yea I know we must respect each other BUT COME ON!! learn to laugh with others and at yourself.
Many first generation Mexican born Raza and extreme politically correct Xicano/a's might find it offensive.
But like it or not there many truths/problems we as Raza must come face to face by confronting it head instead of avoiding it so we came move forward here and find our place in this country.
Parody, humor and political satire are great weapons against the forces of ignorance bigotry.
August 10, 2008
Very repetitive... And not nearly as fun, fierce or naughty as I had expected. Just a lot of pinche pendejo gabacho and other vocabulary fillers my El Salvadorian friends at high school already taught me...
January 17, 2024
Probably 3.5 rounded down cause I got a full 4* Entertaining but some of the crassness went too far. And I have to call Arellano out. Early on he calls Santa Ana the capital of Mexico America. Then at the end he calls Orange County (where Santa Ana is) the most anti Mexican place. It can't be both hermano. Necesitas cambiar to mente nopal. Y porque no giving props to Taco Mesa?
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August 14, 2024Abandoned. I can’t listen to 11 hours of question and answers. I found some to be funny but they all blurred into the same thing after awhile and it bugged me that the reader couldn’t speak Spanish and was pronouncing things wrong.
abandoned
May 13, 2022I won't lie; this audiobook was screamingly funny, except that the language was too strong for me to listen to for more than about an hour. It helps if you know Spanish, which multiplies the humor quotient, but my ear is too tame for the heavy profanity, and I'd like to keep it that way.
September 21, 2023
The title should be ¡Ask a Chicano!
May 13, 2009
In general, I think this is great -- I really like Arellano's blend of no-holds-barred, vernacular lewdness with his periodic (and totally coherent) references to journal articles and his academic experience as a sociology M.S. (Do you want the lewd answer, the Catholic answer, the socioeconomic answer, or the pre-Christian-cultural-traditions answer?) It does, yes, deploy a lot of stereotypes and a lot of hard language, but I agree with Arellano that there's a lot to be said for engaging equally hard cultural conflicts and ignorance with vulgar humor. It reminds me of the early days of Dan Savage's groundbreaking sex column -- back when he still invited writers to address him as "Hey, Faggot!"
Honestly, as I read the book the main problem that's striking me is -- how to put this? It's not that Arellano doesn't take Mexican culture to task for its ingrained sexism (the "virgin-whore" dichotomies, the hardworking-housewife expectations). But he never seems to get around to exploring how Mexican or Mexican-American women actually feel about them. Which seems like a huge lacuna. He develops both nuance and accessibility (call it, if you must, "universality") in his discussions of Mexican male thought and culture, but he kind of does it at the expense of women. All he usually has to say about women, in contrast to what he says about men, is that the stereotypes are "documentary": Mexican women really are as hot, as 'spicy,' as fertile and as hardworking as all that! Thanks, hermano. That really tells me a lot about how Mexican women think, live and feel.
So that's my major problem with Arellano: in the process of "explaining" Mexican culture to gabachos, he recapitulates the sexism that he's theoretically interested in exposing, and winds up leaving half the Mexican American population to stand as nothing but sexy culos and fertile mamis. That's not exactly what I was hoping to learn when I read that the author had trained as a sociologist.
Honestly, as I read the book the main problem that's striking me is -- how to put this? It's not that Arellano doesn't take Mexican culture to task for its ingrained sexism (the "virgin-whore" dichotomies, the hardworking-housewife expectations). But he never seems to get around to exploring how Mexican or Mexican-American women actually feel about them. Which seems like a huge lacuna. He develops both nuance and accessibility (call it, if you must, "universality") in his discussions of Mexican male thought and culture, but he kind of does it at the expense of women. All he usually has to say about women, in contrast to what he says about men, is that the stereotypes are "documentary": Mexican women really are as hot, as 'spicy,' as fertile and as hardworking as all that! Thanks, hermano. That really tells me a lot about how Mexican women think, live and feel.
So that's my major problem with Arellano: in the process of "explaining" Mexican culture to gabachos, he recapitulates the sexism that he's theoretically interested in exposing, and winds up leaving half the Mexican American population to stand as nothing but sexy culos and fertile mamis. That's not exactly what I was hoping to learn when I read that the author had trained as a sociologist.
June 22, 2024
I was going to give this book three stars, but after I read the chapter near the end of the book titled "Work", I decided to give it a solid four.
The book is basically a compilation of the Mr. Arellano's column in the O.C. Weekly called, "Ask A Mexican". Part tongue-in-cheek, part sarcasm and part taking people to task for their racial bias, it covers a wide range of topics.
The writer not only covers most (if not all) of the different aspects of Mexican culture, he also breaks down how those aspects change with each passing generation. Every culture has it's "isms", and Mr. Arellano breaks it down to make it easy for the non-Mexican lay person.
There is a lot of humor here, but some of his comments are down right serious. Whatever the tone of the a particular answer to a question, the non-Mexican reader is given a clear path for them to "see" from the "outside looking in". I love reading the section on Mexican food! The chapter on sex gets fairly graphic, but again, it's honest. The chapter that was the most real and heart wrenching was the one on undocumented workers. We all know it exists, but Mr. Arellano puts you right in the middle of it as he spends a number of days pretending to be one and seeing what their days are like. Although it is a different era, it brings to light everyone of Mexican descent of what their ancestors went through when they came to the US, even during the era of fairly open immigration. It was not easy. That chapter left me with a lot of emotions and feelings, including gratitude and pride.
For anyone wanting to go toe-to-toe with "The Mexican", do so at your own risk. Mr. Arellano is extremely well read and educated through the graduate school level. Anything you throw at him, he'll toss back to you twice as hard.
This book was much more than what I thought it would be. Gracias!
The book is basically a compilation of the Mr. Arellano's column in the O.C. Weekly called, "Ask A Mexican". Part tongue-in-cheek, part sarcasm and part taking people to task for their racial bias, it covers a wide range of topics.
The writer not only covers most (if not all) of the different aspects of Mexican culture, he also breaks down how those aspects change with each passing generation. Every culture has it's "isms", and Mr. Arellano breaks it down to make it easy for the non-Mexican lay person.
There is a lot of humor here, but some of his comments are down right serious. Whatever the tone of the a particular answer to a question, the non-Mexican reader is given a clear path for them to "see" from the "outside looking in". I love reading the section on Mexican food! The chapter on sex gets fairly graphic, but again, it's honest. The chapter that was the most real and heart wrenching was the one on undocumented workers. We all know it exists, but Mr. Arellano puts you right in the middle of it as he spends a number of days pretending to be one and seeing what their days are like. Although it is a different era, it brings to light everyone of Mexican descent of what their ancestors went through when they came to the US, even during the era of fairly open immigration. It was not easy. That chapter left me with a lot of emotions and feelings, including gratitude and pride.
For anyone wanting to go toe-to-toe with "The Mexican", do so at your own risk. Mr. Arellano is extremely well read and educated through the graduate school level. Anything you throw at him, he'll toss back to you twice as hard.
This book was much more than what I thought it would be. Gracias!
August 4, 2008
Everything you wanted to know about Mexicans and aren’t afraid to ask.
What began the editor’s idea for filler in the Orange County Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, California, became a true gold mine of information and fascinating facts in Gustavo Arellano’s hands.
¡Ask a Mexican! is irreverent, bold, politically incorrect and wonderfully witty and informative. Riding the razor’s edge of wit and intelligent information, Arellano pulls no punches as he explains what it is to be Mexican in the United States. The questions range from rude and silly to honest curiosity and the answers at times are no less incendiary than a bowl of green chili. Arellano admits when he doesn’t know something (after all, he was born here) and goes to the source to find out, even allowing readers to answer the questions for him. ¡Ask a Mexican! is a mixture of the historically sublime and the culturally ignorant and Arellano pulls it off with a stylish tongue in cheek liberally spiced with a bold and erudite style that makes this book more than just reference but a direct jab to the heart of politically correct language that will leave you laughing and much better informed about the rich Mexican culture in our midst and at our southern borders without hiding the ridiculous and the sublime.
What began the editor’s idea for filler in the Orange County Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, California, became a true gold mine of information and fascinating facts in Gustavo Arellano’s hands.
¡Ask a Mexican! is irreverent, bold, politically incorrect and wonderfully witty and informative. Riding the razor’s edge of wit and intelligent information, Arellano pulls no punches as he explains what it is to be Mexican in the United States. The questions range from rude and silly to honest curiosity and the answers at times are no less incendiary than a bowl of green chili. Arellano admits when he doesn’t know something (after all, he was born here) and goes to the source to find out, even allowing readers to answer the questions for him. ¡Ask a Mexican! is a mixture of the historically sublime and the culturally ignorant and Arellano pulls it off with a stylish tongue in cheek liberally spiced with a bold and erudite style that makes this book more than just reference but a direct jab to the heart of politically correct language that will leave you laughing and much better informed about the rich Mexican culture in our midst and at our southern borders without hiding the ridiculous and the sublime.
March 22, 2013
The questions asked are anonymously given, creating a no-holds-barred kind of feel for the Q&A format Arellano uses. I understand his intentions where meant to be humorous and to a degree I can see that. But the topics seem a bit heavy on the sexual side of Hispanic culture. Maybe it would be better to say repetitive with use of the same vulgarities to describe just about everything. Yes I get it that Latinos are "hot, sexy lovers" but I would have liked hearing more about everyday Mexican culture rather than a sexed-up stereotypical side to the majority of questions covered. It seemed that the Hispanic gangster lifestyle was also a focus.
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June 17, 2020Preguntale al Mexicano (ask the Mexican) is a collection of articles written by a Chicano from southern California. The articles were organized into this book and divided into several sections: Language, culture, sex, immigration, music, food, ethnic relationships, fashion and work. The articles start with a question from a reader which Gustavo then answers seriously or satirically. Some of the questions are sort of ridiculous and some were serious concerns from readers. A couple of questions range from "Why do so many Mexicans send their money to Mexico?" to "Do Mexicans eat anything that isn't spicy?" I chose to read a book in Spanish because I needed to practice my Spanish, especially Mexican Spanish and I wanted to do it in a fun, manageable way. Everyday I speak Spanish at my site and I have found myself correcting students assignments in Spanish and I needed to brush up on reading. About 90% of my students are Mexican and this book addresses some of the blatant stereotypes that people have about them. I brought it to work a few times and it sparked some interesting conversations with students about how some of the stereotypes stem from a grain of truth and get blown out of proportion. I think other members should read this book (I think it comes in English too) because it makes you rethink some of the most basic stereotypes that have been put out there about Mexicans. It also pointed out how some generalizations are designated to certain cultures when your own culture does the same thing in different ways. Besides that, the author is pretty funny.
September 23, 2018
I listened to this as an audiobook. I would say it was half worthwhile and half terrible politically incorrect, shock humor. It's the kinda humor where you're offensive "as a joke" but really you're just perpetuating hate. For example, I didn't enjoy his homophobic jokes and macho "real man" rhetoric. Also talked about being a republican as if it was a good thing a lot.
A lot of the jokes reminded me of George Lopez. The kind of "this is racist but I am that race so I get a free pass" humor. Racist jokes don't magically become ok when you are that race in my opinion. Sure you can joke around with friends and family but when you make a persona out of it, you're giving other people permission to do the same.
Despite all the bad, there were some legitimately interesting tidbits in here. I'm from MA and hardly ever see Mexicans so my lack of knowledge kept me intrigued. I certainly learned a lot of Mexican-Spanish curse words!
A lot of the jokes reminded me of George Lopez. The kind of "this is racist but I am that race so I get a free pass" humor. Racist jokes don't magically become ok when you are that race in my opinion. Sure you can joke around with friends and family but when you make a persona out of it, you're giving other people permission to do the same.
Despite all the bad, there were some legitimately interesting tidbits in here. I'm from MA and hardly ever see Mexicans so my lack of knowledge kept me intrigued. I certainly learned a lot of Mexican-Spanish curse words!
August 3, 2020
Hilarious, irreverent (to put it lightly), and educational.
Would highly recommend to gabachos looking to understand more about Mexican American culture and stereotypes, particularly in Southern California. It's a work that doesn't take itself too seriously. It has some age, so the references are sometimes outdated. The language is crude, and the questions are often racist and demeaning, but Arellano answers with candor and humor. It's not a sociology textbook, nor does it intend to be.
Also highly recommend Gustavo Arellano's weekly newsletter, where he answers more questions and posts up his weekly thoughts and links to his articles. Gustavo's recent stuff is great, and shows his growth as both an author and his work as an advocate in the newsroom for Mexican American voices.
Would highly recommend to gabachos looking to understand more about Mexican American culture and stereotypes, particularly in Southern California. It's a work that doesn't take itself too seriously. It has some age, so the references are sometimes outdated. The language is crude, and the questions are often racist and demeaning, but Arellano answers with candor and humor. It's not a sociology textbook, nor does it intend to be.
Also highly recommend Gustavo Arellano's weekly newsletter, where he answers more questions and posts up his weekly thoughts and links to his articles. Gustavo's recent stuff is great, and shows his growth as both an author and his work as an advocate in the newsroom for Mexican American voices.
January 15, 2020
I used to read this column in the LA Weekly almost 10 years ago, and meant to read this book sooner, but was reminded again to pick it up when I heard the author on NPR for the 25th anniversary of California Prop 187's passage and subsequent overturn. This was a very funny and well-researched book. There is definitely a lot of inappropriate humor in it and he doesn't shy away from being misogynistic at times. However, there is a lot of interesting Mexican and Mexican-American culture and history presented here in an entertaining way.
June 10, 2017
This satirical book is full of information AND opinions. It's not for the easily offended but if you can read between the lines, it's informative and insightful. As a fifth-generation Mexican-American, it helped me understand why new immigrants act in certain ways. Sharing with friends and family!
February 4, 2020
Almost always funny, provocative, and clever. Not for the faint of heart as he answers stupid, raunchy, and even some good questions with similarly equated answers. In the middle of all the humor is lots of information on a variety of topics all things Mexican.
November 15, 2022
It’s learning history without it being boring. It’s funny. Insightful. Sad. Thought provoking and engaging. I enjoy learning about life without feeling like I’m learning, and Mr. Arellano covers a lot beyond Mexicanos.
December 9, 2024
I can see how this sounded like a fun book after reading the author's columns. But page after page after page of mostly ignorant questions followed by snarky slangy answers does not make for compelling reading.
Didn't finish.
Didn't finish.
December 28, 2018
A collection of Arellano's "Ask a Mexican" columns from the "Alternative" Orange County (CA) Weekly. Very interesting and very "alternative."
March 7, 2019
I laugh at jokes in this book when I think no one is looking, but it really hasn't aged well.
May 22, 2020
I liked it. Gave a lot of historical information with humor.
December 6, 2021
Hilarious, poignant, honest, and worth the read.
November 22, 2022
Satire at its finest; especially relevant in these xenophobic times. An unexpected pleasure is the essay on 1980's adult film stars and the societal benefits of pornography.
October 15, 2023
I wanted this book to be more scholarly and less flippant. Sadly disappointed.
Read
June 6, 2025DNF
February 5, 2017
I am very divided about this book. On one hand, there was clearly a lot of research put into the answers the Mexican gave, but on the other hand the answers were sometimes too dry and relied on overly used jokes. Overall it is better than it is worse, if only for the cultural insight.
Pop Sugar 2017: A book with pictures
Pop Sugar 2017: A book with pictures
February 17, 2017
Not a quick read because it is chock full of factual information. It is good if you know at least a little bit of Spanish because there are a lot of quotes in Spanish, and introduction to many words. There is a dictionary in front that has the meaning to most but not all of the introduced words. Worthy read if you want to learn more about Mexican culture in the U.S.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews