rockchalkbajawk
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FAQ's Part 1 - Tipping
FAQ's Part One
Heading down to East Cape, and San Jose for some quality time in July.
My Mom and Dad wanted me to find out some things. First off - tipping.
I've always tipped people according to what their services were worth
to me, only to find out later I've been WAY overtipping. That never
bothered me, but Dad is a little different. How much do you tip for
the following?
Pemex dude
Kid that carries out your groceries
Kid that carries your tackle to the boat
Guys on the boat
Guy that assigns the boats at a resort
Guys that knock the heck out of a block of ice to keep your Pacificos cold
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rockchalkbajawk
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jrbaja
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Tipping
Pemex Dude- nothing unless he washes the windows. 3 pesos for bad job 5 pesos for good job 10 pesos for all windows.
Grocery Dude or Dudette- keep a sharp eye on your groceries being loaded. The kids aren't that quick so the guy behind you in line may end up with
some of your groceries. 5 to 10 pesos depending on how many groceries and the smile of beneficiary.
Tackle to boat 5 - 10 pesos
Guys on boat 50 - ?? pesos. Depends on whether you have fun and catch fish.
Assigning boat at hotel. Nothing until you are back. Had fun? 50 to 200 pesos, some fish, and muchas thank yous will get you an even better time
the next trip.
Block knockers 5 - 10 pesos.
Buena suerte----
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bajaloco
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Mood: wishin I was fishin
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I think it always is determined by the persons attitude, the way they treat you. The thing to consider is most locals don't earn alot of money. If you
get good service, give freely. I've paid kids not to wash my my windows. The guy at the Pemex station the just ripped you off and smiles about
it....forget it. The pangero who just took you for the trip of a lifetime...take care of him.
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Heather
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My husband was one of those, "guys on the boat", for many years, and they do depend on your tips. Salary was about 1100 pesos every 2 weeks ($100),
so I would say at least a $20 tip. More if you catch (and release) lots of fish!
My husband has just started doing some welding up here in the states and I can see his arm muscles building back up. They were really big when he was
out fishing all day. I tease him about the easy job he used to have, but guess it was pretty strenuous labor.
Have fun down at the cape. My husband and a friend will be there about the 27th of June, I thinking they're staying at Las Palmas? Silver toyota,
probably a kayak on the back. H.
P.S. Bohemia should be pretty easy to find, that's what my husband drinks too, when he doesn't have his Don Pedro! 
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richard nauman
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richard nauman
I agree with the advice so far. I always try to make sure the panaga skipper gets a good tip (give it to him personnaly to make sure he gets it). Once
in San Quintin at the PEMEX our car was about to be assaulted by a bunch of boys with dirty rags. While my wife handled the filling of the tank I was
able to distract them with a grocery bag full or Oranges (we were poor college students and had brought a couple of big sacks of oranges from my
parents house because we didn't think we had enough money for food, gas and beer on the trip). They must have been very hungry becuase they all sat
down in a row on the curb and peeled and ate the first round in seconds. I kept handing out oranges until it was time to leave. I'll never forget how
fast they ate those big oranges or how they smiled when I asked if they wanted one.
RN
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jrbaja
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I wouldn't have wanted
to be the guy in the next car that didn't have oranges.
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thebajarunner
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tips-loose change
Ever wonder how to get rid of all that change that is not worth much?
Add it to the tip in a cafe.
I always unload my change (even in the US) on top of the real, paper money tip.
Looks impressive, saves wear on the pocket.
My Jalisco born wife (as well as my four foster sons from Baja) never, ever get rid of change. Even after all these years of living in the States
they still end up with piles of coin on the dresser.
So, I scoop up Teresa's stash every morning and present it to the first coffee shop stop I make.
Baja Arriba!!
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jrbaja
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Works pretty good
for the toll booths and some pay phones down here as well.
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Debra
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Loose change
I always give it (or try to, I always end up with a bunch in the bottem of my purse) the guys in the white suits (Morman missionarys?) at the border.
Tipping is also something I've wondered about. I've never thought it should have anything to do with the "amount of fish you catch" or "how good the
food was" that doesn't seem to be in the control of the person (server) you are tipping, I tip by attitude.
One of the biggest tips I've ever given in Baja was to the Panga driver that took MA Hunfreville, Migualito and I on our "Whale Annoying" trip, he
seemed to get as big a kick out of it as we did when MA finally got to pet a teashing baby whale (Migualito and I had pet her/him several times, it
was teasing MA) this sweet man kept moving the boat and moving it until MA finally got her "feel" I'll never forget her shreek of Joy or his smiles!
What was supposed to be an hour and half trip was in reality about 3 plus hours thanks to this kind man.
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jrbaja
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Tipping
" I've never thought it should have anything to do with the "amount of fish you catch" or "how good the food was" that doesn't seem to be in the
control of the person (server) you are tipping, I tip by attitude."
I don't think the quality of food was mentioned and it has nothing to do with tipping unless you are tipping the cook. Which is acceptable.
As you say attitude is everything as far as service goes. Brings to mind La Fonda a few years back. Worst service-best food. Tip the cook! In front
of the waiter!
As far as fishing goes, tip by the amount of fish you are catching or the amount of fun El Capitano makes you have. They know what's up and they
know where to make people catch fish. And they know before you leave the dock.
And by the way, it is HIGHLY illegal for a panga captain to chase whales. Lucky the whale police were busy with some other lawbreakers!
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Debra
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No, you are right JR
quanity/quality of food wasn't mentioned (it's just something I thought about, it was mentioned if you are catching fish)
Our Panga Capitano wasn't "chashing" the whale (I would have had a problem with that myself) the baby (with Mom looking on) kept popping up on one
side, then dive under to the other side, just as MA reached out to pet her/him (she/he let Miguelito and I pet her several times) she seemed to be
teasing MA (MA has a knee proplem and moves slower that we do) our panga driver would just turn the panga around to give MA another chance, when we
were ready to give up and head back (fired up the motor) "Baby" came up and just stayed there to let MA pet her! We cut the motor again and spent a
few more minutes...then (sadly) headed back, baby broke off to Mom and headed back (I'm sure telling Mom of her/his exciting couple or hours with the
silly Gringos!
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jrbaja
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That sounds like
There must have been a LOT of laughs!
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Debra
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JR
Quote "there must have been alot of laughs"
Who? us or the Whales? 
Really, both I think  I'm not really sure who enjoyed it more, the whale or us?
Mama stayed at comfortable (to baby) distance away, as I said, learning I guess
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Markitos
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remember when you used to get a little sticker from the hospital people on the road ? I allways thought that was good luck. I still give but I'd feel
better with my sticker
All that wonder are not lost
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rockchalkbajawk
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I was right
I have been seriously over-tipping. That's OK though, it makes me and my wife happy. I didn't buy anything from the beach vendors at Punta Colorada
last year, but they were so mellow (and it was hot) I bought them all Cokes, and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. On the boat, we went out one
day and "almost" hooked one of everything, Blue, Striped, Dorado and Sail. But we gave the Captain and hand each a pair of gloves and $50, (but not
the NP$ like suggested above.) They asked us to go out the next day, but we didn't have any more cash. We had such a great time in the 4 ft waves
all day we gave Alejandro our Silver Bullet Giant Coors Light can cooler. Wonder if he still has that...
[Edited on 6-18-2004 by rockchalkbajawk]
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