How to Get on Any Latina Mom’s Good Side

Moms can be hard to impress. Whether it’s our own moms or our best friend’s or significant other’s mama, it can sometimes feel like we can never be good enough. As a mother myself, I know that one of the main reasons for this is we’re simply exhausted. Being a mom is hard work, and we never get breaks. Pero that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few simple ways to get on our good side. Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to impress this Latina mom (and probably most others, too).

Always Greet With A Kiss On The Cheek

https://giphy.com/gifs/vh1-lhhh-love-hip-hop-vh1-live-3oz8xSphuTRmSj6ni8

Latinxs generally kiss each other on the cheek upon greeting or saying good-bye. As someone who is all about bodily autonomy, I completely understand that this shouldn’t be a mandatory thing. Culturally speaking, though, Latina moms (especially of the old school) always expect this. I had a friend whose mom I didn’t kiss on the cheek once and I was blacklisted for years afterward as his, “rude amigita.”

wp_*posts

Attempt To Speak Her Language (If It’s Anything Other Than English)

https://giphy.com/gifs/am85-retro-maria-xUySTwWil09IoAnH9u

If the mom you’re trying to impress speaks primarily Spanish or Portuguese, make an attempt to at least greet her in her native tongue. Better still, learn a few conversational phrases. However, if she’s making an attempt to speak English more (assuming she’s a non-native speaker) and continues to respond in English, follow her lead.

wp_*posts

Show An Interest In Getting To Know Their Culture

https://giphy.com/gifs/spongebob-season-1-episode-26nfqZcvPsRwZFImQ

Most people like when others take a general interest in who they are and where they came from. Latina moms are no exception. Feel free to ask questions about her background without getting too personal or making any ignorant comments.

wp_*posts

Use ‘Usted’ Instead Of ‘Tu’

https://giphy.com/gifs/hunger-games-effie-mahogany-XbghJ5EHl9e2A

Latina moms (especially the matriarchs) are all about respect. As an elder in the family, you’re supposed to be given a certain amount, and this often translates into smaller things like word choice. “Usted” is the “proper” way of saying “you”, while “tu” is supposed to be more casual. Until the mom says otherwise, keep using, “usted.”

wp_*posts

Eat All Of Her Cooking

https://giphy.com/gifs/ytwfxx-food-hungry-l3DdNPzHuVLxP3oPe

Never leave a plate of a Latina mom’s (or abuela’s) cooking anything less than empty. Bonus points if you ask for seconds. It’s just a thing.

wp_*posts

Clean Up After Yourself

https://giphy.com/gifs/njF0UzDcz6PuM

No one likes a slob. If you’re coming over (or if you live with the Latina mom), make sure to pick up after yourself. That means upping your cleaning game ten-fold since you’ve never cleaned the way a Latina mom does.

wp_*posts

Express An Appreciation For All Things Familia

https://giphy.com/gifs/movie-the-godfather-francis-ford-coppola-3o7btOQ9OV3Ij67sGs

Latinxs are very family oriented, and the same holds true for the matriarchs in the bunch. Never try to get a Latinx person to skip a family-oriented event. Holidays mean family time. Sometimes every day means family time. Don’t interfere.

wp_*posts

Always Offer To Help

https://giphy.com/gifs/bill-murray-space-jam-feel-free-to-use-14jQC2AONxNBHq

Is a Latina mom walking into the house with groceries? Offer to take the rest of the bags inside. Is she cleaning up after a meal? Ask if you can help with the dishes. Does she need an errand run? You know what to do.

wp_*posts

Don’t Even Try To Argue About Religion

https://giphy.com/gifs/season-16-the-simpsons-16×9-l0G18YUznp2bcnwIM

For the older generations of Latina moms, this often means don’t even try to jokingly diss J.C. or La Virgencita. For younger ones, it might mean that, or it might mean don’t even try to bring up religion (because some of us are still traumatized from CCD classes). Just best not to broach the subject at all.