Dare to ask: Mexicans, beer, Sunday - discuss

By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

Question

Why do Mexicans at grocery stores or mini-marts seem to always be buying huge packs of beer on Sunday afternoons?

C., California

Replies

It's a long tradition related to soccer. On Sundays there's soccer games . . . and men get together to watch the game and have beer and food.

J., Boston

Many Mexicans work on Saturdays, and Sunday is a family day. Many go to parks, BBQs and the beach.

Michael, 23, Hispanic, Los Angeles

We are near a small village that is the nursery capital of the South. Many migrant workers live somewhere between here and there. Sundays are usually their only day off, and they come to town to eat at a restaurant, buy groceries and beer and pay their cell phone bills.

Erica, white, Louisiana

If you think it's only a Mexican thing, you should see the Brits, Aussies and Kiwis I associate with on Sundays.

Adrian, 36, white male, Hong Kong

Mexicans . . . have no one to go home to except for the other people that live in their trailer/apartment building and they want to get their fiesta on.

Kyle, 15, white, Texas

Mexicans are some of the hardest workers I've ever known. . . . I have always preferred to get drunk on Saturday. That way I could rest on Sunday and be ready to work on Monday. I have worked with a ton of Mexican guys, and it has always amazed me how they can get so drunk on Sunday night and then get up Monday morning and still pick twice as many peaches as I did.

Ron S., 60, Stockton, Calif.

Expert says

Alma R. Martinez, a theater professor at Pomona College in California, is also a Broadway and film actor who lectures about Latino stereotypes. She addressed some of the stuff tossed out by readers above.

Mexicans work on Saturdays: True for many in lower-income brackets, and not only that, many work two jobs. "My dad had three jobs at one point: in a garage in the day, at night grinding liver for [Eli] Lilly, and another job at a body shop."

Mexicans buy big packs of beer on Sundays: Well, Sundays are viewed as a day of rest, which goes back to Catholic traditions in Mexico. "You go to church, you do what you do, there are gatherings, weddings, and as far as beer, because Mexico in the north is very hot, you drink beer and Coca-Cola."

Mexicans work hard: "It's ridiculous to say we are lazy. Mexicans work hard at everything and are trying to send some of that money back home . . . they are working hard to support families."

Ron S. gets drunk on Saturdays: We said she addressed some of the stuff.

Mexicans have no one (extended family-wise) to go home to: And that's why many hold gatherings on Sundays - often at free or inexpensive places like the beach or park. "We often don't have support from extended family in the U.S. . . . so what family and friends are here is important."

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip. milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.