Noisy Mexico
Mexico is a noisy country, and it can take some getting used to. Traffic is louder than in the U.S., due to lack of muffler laws, more rattly vehicles and one-cylinder motorcycles, and narrow stone streets which echo and amplify the above. Many houses are built with their front walls right on the street, and traffic noise can be very noticeable in the front rooms. If you live in a tropical area without glazed windows, add exhaust fumes coming into the living room.
Mexicans as a group seem to be very fond of noise. Celebrations are often observed by shooting off fireworks, and music tends to be played at high volume. Most restaurants will have a TV blaring in a corner somewhere. Some supermarkets set up giant speakers on the premises and blast music and ads at the hapless shoppers. For an interesting examination of this aspect of Mexican character see Octavio Paz’ classic The Labyrinth of Solitude
There is really not a whole lot of defense possible against much of the ambient noise assault. With time one adjusts somewhat. Sometimes restaurant staff will comply with a request to turn down the volume. The main thing I would advise is to be very alert to the noise factor when choosing housing. A street which is tranquil at midday when you are shown the house may come alive in the evening, or for several weeks or months at a time if you live in a vacation spot. We lived for awhile in a small beach town which was inundated with holidaymakers during Semana Santa (Easter Week) and the months of July and August. During those times our unglazed windows let in a 24-hour barrage of traffic noise, blasting car stereo music, and exhaust fumes, and left us longing for the slow season.
Here’s a hot TIP if you do end up with a noisy living room. Hearing your own TV can be a real problem in the ebb and flow of traffic din; if you are playing DVDs, you can select English subtitles and rely on them to fill in the blanks when those trucks rumble by.