Are Mexicans actually lazy?

One of the most confusing and yet popular stereotypes in the world right now is that all Mexicans are lazy. Comedian Mike Epps took it upon himself to get to the bottom of this stereotype and figure out where it comes from and why people might think it. First and foremost, people who assume Mexicans are lazy are obviously blind to their surroundings.

Especially in the nicer parts of America (looking at you Hollywood), the majority of landscaping businesses are operated by people of Mexican descent. If waking up at 5am to do hard labor for a minimum of 12 hours a day is considered being lazy – we obviously have different definitions of the word. But why do some people trait the Mexican heritage with being lazy?

The stereotype goes back way back when to the times when the USA was looking to purchase more land. The American government looked at Mexico and noticed they had hundreds of miles that were going unoccupied so the stereotype came about that the Mexicans were too lazy to do anything with their land. People also think they may be lazy because of their afternoon siestas during the day.

False, they are not lazy because of those but strategically smart. The siesta originated in very hot places around the world where working during the afternoon would be near impossible. So the siesta was born – workers would rise early and work during the cool hours, take a break during the hottest hours of the day, then continue their work when the blazing sun wasn’t so blazing.

Statistically speaking, Mexicans works 2,317 hours annually compared to Americans who on average work 1,798 hours. The only stereotype I know to be true about Mexicans is that they have amazing food – and that is a fact. Long live Mexican food!