You’re trying to wedge your way through a crowd of passengers to the exit of the back of the bus, or squeeze into the doorway of a shop blocked by a couple of people engaged in deep conversation.
What’s the best way to accomplish the mission without offense and attacking with sharp elbows?
Speak up with the Spanish phrase con su permiso (with your permission). Chances are the ways will part as the human obstacles answer saying propio or es propio meaning the permission is yours.
Newcomers to Mexico — and old timers weak in the native language — can get a lot of mileage out of using common courtesy expressions in a country where politeness is the currency of everyday life.
Even most rank beginners know essential terms such as por favor, gracias and de nada employed in quotidian social interaction. More advanced Spanish speakers are familiar with substitute phrases. For example, you might ask a store clerk, ¿Sería tan amable de enseñarme esta blusa en otro color? (Would you be so kind to show this blouse in another color?). Or tell a waiter ¿Le molesto por otra servilleta? (May I bother you for another napkin?)
You can say muy amable (how kind) instead of gracias, no hay de que (no need for thanks) to mean you’re welcome.
Que Dios le bendiga (may God bless) you is way to express thanks for a special kindness, such as giving someone a birthday bouquet or dropping a coin in the hand of a pauper.
When walking about, newbies may be surprised when a complete stranger salutes them saying buenos dias or buenas tardes. It’s the polite way of acknowledging your presence, a factor that earns Mexican folks a reputation for human warmth and friendliness. The greeting of a passerby who recognizes you is often a drawn out adios, meaning not goodbye, but go with God.
Que le vaya bien (may you go well) is a standard way of saying goodbye when parting company with another.
When introduced to a new Mexican acquaintance, you’ll get a handshake with the words mucho gusto, to say a pleasure meeting you. Proper replies would be igualmente (likewise), el gusto es mio (the pleasure is mine) or encantado (charmed) if said by a man, encantada for ladies.
In more formal introductions, the person you meet might declare Juan Perez, para sirvirle (at your service) or a sus ordenes (at your orders).
Mi casa es tu casa is the common nicety for welcoming a newcomer into one’s home.
When you’re eating out, polite Mexican diners departing the restaurant might call out “¡Buen provecho!” to say enjoy your meal. You’ll want to reply gracias for that, and tag on que le vaya bien for good measure.
Didn’t quite catch what someone says? A curt ¿Qué? (what?) sounds rude to the Spanish ear. Say ¿Mande? to ask for repetition or rephrasing of the words. Literally translated you’re offering to be at the speaker’s command. What is understood is the English version of how was that? or pardon me?
Should you commit a real faux pas, say disculpe or perdón to excuse yourself. No se mortifique is the reassuring reply meaning don’t feel ashamed.