{
  "id": 5824407,
  "title": "From the archive: To friend or not to friend other expats in Mexico?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/from-the-archive-to-friend-or-not-to-friend-other-expats-in-mexico",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T20:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexico-living/from-the-archive-friend-not-friend-other-expats/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In February 2025, Sarah DeVries penned a humorous article exploring the intricacies of friendships among expats in Mexico. Rogers' article on expat relationships resonated with DeVries, who identified with many of its themes. She expressed concern over the influx of new foreigners in her area, hyper-aware of the balance between Mexican and foreign-born friends.\n\nDeVries' policy towards friendships is to keep a light grip on them, pre-like everyone, and only sever ties if they prove otherwise. This approach was hard-won after 20 years of living in Mexico, and she remains unfazed by potential conflicts.\n\nThe comment section of her article revealed a self-sorting phenomenon among expats, with those who were openly supportive of a felon president often distancing themselves. Politics is just one factor contributing to the complexity of expat relationships.\n\nSome expats, particularly retirees, seemed to fare better in maintaining friendships. However, friends closer to DeVries' age experienced abrupt ends to relationships, sometimes due to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. One instance involved a couple from the U.S. who blocked her on WhatsApp and Facebook after a minor misunderstanding about charges for translation services. Another close friend, a mentor for over 20 years, abruptly cut off contact after she excused herself from a favor. The most recent incident involved a dispute over a dog's vaccination, leading to an immediate eviction from her home, which was over three hours away.",
  "summary": "Making friends with other expats in Mexico can be complicated. Writer Sarah DeVries explains why that is, and why friendships with Mexicans are often longer lasting. The post From the archive: To friend or not to friend other expats in Mexico? appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [
    "Sarah DeVries wrote an article about expat friendships in Mexico in February 2025.",
    "DeVries keeps a light grip on friendships, pre-like everyone, severing ties only if necessary.",
    "Political affiliations and misunderstandings contribute to the complexity of expat relationships."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}