El Jalapeño: Foreigner who opens message with ‘buenas tardes’ accidentally gains three aunts

In the quaint town of San Miguel de Allende, located in the state of Guanajuato, a foreign expatriate named Arthur Pendleton experienced an unexpected turn of events when he attempted to follow local customs in his new community. Pendleton, a 38-year-old resident of San Miguel de Allende, had arrived in town with the intention of seeking the assistance of a plumber for a clogged sink.

To adhere to the norms of Mexican social etiquette, he initiated a WhatsApp conversation with his neighbor by typing a polite greeting, "Buenas tardes, Don Héctor, espero que se encuentre muy bien, ¿podría darnos su número de teléfono?"

To his surprise, Pendleton found himself rapidly gaining members of the local community and becoming an integral part of a multigenerational family. Within just two hours, he was added to the "Familia García y Amigos 2026" group chat. Confused and bewildered, Pendleton expressed his surprise to family members, stating, "I expected a phone number or a quick thumbs-up, but instead, Don Héctor called me immediately, invited me over for Sunday lunch, introduced me to his sister Doña Rosa, and within 20 minutes she had brought over a container of caldo and referred to me as 'mijo.'"

By the afternoon, Pendleton was officially incorporated into the "Familia García y Amigos 2026" group chat, which is known for its daily influx of approximately 140 messages, primarily consisting of morning greetings and weather updates. According to family members, the swift integration of Pendleton into the family structure was the result of following proper civil protocol.

Doña Rosa, one of the aunts who welcomed Pendleton into their fold, stated that a simple "buenas tardes" message from an outsider was enough to designate him as part of their family. She explained, "If someone sends a message that simply says 'Send plumber number,' you give them a number; however, if someone takes the time to say 'buenas tardes,' that is family, and you cannot let family fix a sink on an empty stomach."

Sociologists who focus on diplomatic integration in foreign communities suggest that while some foreign residents may feel isolated upon moving to a new country, the biggest risk in Mexico is accidentally being invited to a child's first communion within 45 minutes of asking for directions. At the time of the article's publication, Pendleton confirmed that he had been tasked with bringing extra ice for Christmas dinner.

Doña Rosa reassured him, "Si se puede, no te preocupes," a phrase that legal experts confirm leaves no room for excuses or justifications.