Mexico Is Probably Trying To Break A Record For Breaking The Most Records

Mexico is on a roll this year. And, knowing them, that roll is likely to be at least sixteen feet in diameter and covered in something like ten pounds of butter. Guffaw! God. Why isn’t it Friday.

Our neighbor to the south has been in the headlines a lot this week thanks to all the Guiness World Records the city and its residents have been breaking this year. You will recall, of course, DF’s attempt (whether it succeeded in breaking the world record or not is still under review) at having the most participants in a Thriller dance tribute. Then there was the record set by Mexican chefs for the world’s largest cheesecake. 

In the days following the Thriller event, mariachis in Guadalajara gathered to break the record for most mariachis gathered in one place. In all, they were able to assemble 549 musicians singing songs like “Cielito Lindo.” We have a huge fear of mariachis and don’t mind telling you this record sounds like our own personal nightmare.

Other records include  ”most hours suspended by meat hooks” and that of “largest group kiss,” set on Valentine’s Day. Which is in no way related to Mexico’s most infamous record set this year, that of “Place Most Likely To Have Been Epicenter Of Swine Flu Epidemic.” 

In fact, much of the reason behind this sudden proliferation of world record attempts is the marketing of Mexico, and Mexico City in particular, as an interesting place to live in or visit. According to Mexico City’s tourism secretary, Alejandro Rojas Díaz, who organized the Thriller event: “This positions us as a grand city where grand things happen.” The records offer a fun and inspirational distraction from more negative news plaguing Mexico’s public image - like those related to disease or the ongoing drug wars. 

So go on, Mexico. Keep doing you thing. Maybe someday we’ll let you become the place where we’ve had Our Worst Hangover, Ever or the place where we’ve Eaten The Most Picafresas in a Single Sitting. Mmm.

Click Below for Images of Some of Mexico’s New World Records

Seeking the World’s Biggest Meatball? Try Mexico [NYT]