According to a study conducted by Preply, 28% of respondents consider silences with distant relatives to be uncomfortable, while only 19% feel discomfort from pauses in conversation with colleagues at work. Yolanda Del Peso Ramos, a specialist at Preply, points out that for Mexicans, where social interaction is fundamental, moments of silence can be perceived as an obstacle to communication.
The study identifies that for Mexicans, the contexts in which silence is most uncomfortable are in break-ups, where 75% consider it that way, first dates, with 38% fearing that a silence may be a bad omen (increasing to 45% among Generation Z), and in conversations with strangers, with 51% of people finding it difficult to handle a silence with someone they barely know.
When analyzing the tolerance for silence in different Mexican cities, it reveals that some experience discomfort quicker than others. Cities like Toluca, Querétaro, Monterrey, Culiacán, and Ecatepec show lower tolerance for silence, while Mérida, León, Tijuana, Mexico City, Chihuahua, and Guadalajara have greater tolerance for it.
In the workplace, silences also generate tension, placing Mexico in sixth place compared to other countries like Italy, the United States, France, and Argentina. In Mexican culture, silence is often interpreted as a lack of interest or connection, even though in other cultures it may be a sign of respect.
Regarding the tolerance for silence in Mexico, the study reveals that on average, Mexicans can only endure 6.6 seconds before feeling tension, a figure lower than the global average of 6.8 seconds. Handling these moments naturally can strengthen social interaction and improve connection with others.
