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I'm traveling to Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende next month. As I try to respect local customs and plan on visiting several Catholic churches, do I need a head covering in church like a prayer veil or mantilla?
Location: San Diego CA>Tijuana, BC>San Antonio, TX
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You can if you want , especially during service, but it's not necessary. We too love to hit up the local cathedrals, basilicas and chapels when we visit historical cities but we typically go in during non service hours.
It's obvious that we are tourist being that we walk in wearing shorts and taking pictures inside.
Since I believe they are primarily a Catholic culture, I would wear the headscarf into a church if there is a service. If no service is being held, then I think you can forego the headscarf.
No one wears them in church now, maybe a few older ladies might. I have only been to a few services but I was kind of shocked by how casual people dress. I think about how people in the US have their more formal "Sunday" outfit for church and didn't see anything like it there. Formal and conservative isn't what you'll find. Maybe don't go in there with shorts or flip flops but that's just standard for anywhere in Mexico except the coasts.
No one wears them in church now, maybe a few older ladies might. I have only been to a few services but I was kind of shocked by how casual people dress. I think about how people in the US have their more formal "Sunday" outfit for church and didn't see anything like it there. Formal and conservative isn't what you'll find. Maybe don't go in there with shorts or flip flops but that's just standard for anywhere in Mexico except the coasts.
You don’t see many people dress conservatively anymore when they go to church in the US.
No one wears them in church now, maybe a few older ladies might. I have only been to a few services but I was kind of shocked by how casual people dress. I think about how people in the US have their more formal "Sunday" outfit for church and didn't see anything like it there. Formal and conservative isn't what you'll find. Maybe don't go in there with shorts or flip flops but that's just standard for anywhere in Mexico except the coasts.
I suppose it's regional because the parishes I have attended in rural Oklahoma I have seen a lot of people the majority of people are dressed very casual. We do have a few women who cover their head, and there's only one man who wears a suit. Most of the folks here in rural Oklahoma are not rich. We consider the ranchers rich because if they have those Fords 350 pickups LOL
And our local Parish has a separate Mass for the Spanish speaking community, and the other is in English. And I don't speak Spanish very well so I do not attend the Spanish mass so I cannot attest as to how they dress.
Nobody wears head coverage in church anymore unless they're old (or old fashioned). The funniest thing I've seen was some young women wearing head scarf to appear pious (I guess) while wearing sleeveless dress or sleeveless top. The proper Catholic church etiquette in the past was for women to cover their hair and shoulder in church, but I guess these women didn't read that old memo.
I used to live in a city with tons of Latino presence, and I can tell you they (especially the women) wear their Sunday best to church.
Regardless, just wear something comfortable that would modestly cover your shoulders and knees, and you'll fit in.
Location: San Diego CA>Tijuana, BC>San Antonio, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Willy702
Maybe don't go in there with shorts or flip flops but that's just standard for anywhere in Mexico except the coasts.
I once saw a mixed white/asian couple at the Castillo de Chapultepec in Mexico City touring the grounds wearing flip flops, shorts and hoodies. I knew right away that not only were they Americans but specifically Californians. I spoke to them and sure enough they were.
Location: San Diego CA>Tijuana, BC>San Antonio, TX
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A hat? You said head covering so I pictured something completely different.
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