I've visited Tapachula, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Chichen Itza, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Taxco, Puebla, Mexico City, Thotihuacan, Juarez, Nogales, Guaymas, Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, Union de Tula, Ayutla, Manzanillo, Colima, Comala........then the cruise destinations: Puerto Vallarto, Acapulco, Zijuatanejo, Ixtapa, Mazatlan, Topolobampo, El Fuerte, Loreto, San Javier, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada......and Tijuana.
Mexico? I love it!!
As far as the border towns and attitudes between gringos and mexicanos, it depends on where you go in those towns, on either side of the border. Where tourists hang out, there is a "get all the money you can from them" attitude.....on either side of the border. Think the San Diegans are not trying to pry the money from the tourist (and I don't necessarily mean anyone is trying to rip off anyone, but that happens at times). Especially the tourists from the cruise ships who are here for 8 hours. I think it's the nature of the business, and besides, there is not much incentive to invest a lot of time in getting to know someone.
I visit friends in Mexico and I also go to do volunteer work in Tijuana at times, and also go there to see doctors and dentists. I've spent many years traveling all over the world. The regular, everyday working people are pretty much the same everywhere: friendly, honest, interesting, fun to be around.
When I go somewhere to monger, anywhere in the world, I am respectful. I want what the chicas have; they want what I have, the $$. We're not talking about intimate relationships here. Be nice and have some fun. The problems arise when someone is not respectful, often because of booze. When trouble is brewing, I leave. Got no time to spend on the legal system in any country. But I've never had a problem anywhere, just like most of us. If I run into some unfriendly people in the bars, I leave. Too many choices available to have to put up with that.