We are driving to Loreto next week and wondered if there were any recommended items we might give to the Soldiers conducting the inspection. We
would, of course, wait until the inspection was completed and then provide the soldiers with the item. In the past we have provided soft drinks.
We want to do this as a gesture of Good Will and friendship, with no ulterior motive.
Art & Alicebajalou - 1-27-2007 at 07:22 PM
I probably would give the same thing I give to the Border Patrol personnel at the highway checkpoints in the US, or what I give to the Customs
officers at the border. After all, they're doing their job.DENNIS - 1-27-2007 at 07:27 PM
Yeah ---
Give them wanted posters of the mayor of Tijuana.vgabndo - 1-27-2007 at 07:44 PM
I made the mistake of leaving two pairs of new leather gloves from Costco in plain sight. A soldado at the k24 reten north of Loreto really made a
play for one of them. (It WAS cold.) I gave him a pair and jokingly said "in the cause of international friendship". My next time through I got the
same guy. The SOB tore me a new one, going through all my stuff. Uh...plan B? And you are correct, the second time, he was just doing his job.David K - 1-27-2007 at 08:01 PM
Chewing gum... doesn't take up much room... nice to have regardless of temperature. Costco probably has a good size case for cheap?vacaenbaja - 1-27-2007 at 10:53 PM
I can think of two things. At most every checkpoint I was asked if I would "sell some batteries" It seems that they are
used up at a furious pace not only for flashlights but also for
personal electronics. Also Cup of noodle and spam seem to
be popular items. Heck throw in some of that beef jerky that
costco sells too.DavidT - 1-28-2007 at 01:50 AM
Suture kits, lidocaine.
Or did you mean something that will make you feel good? Like sodas and bubble gum.
Just playing the Devil's Advocate.
Handout Dead Batteries
Sharksbaja - 1-28-2007 at 01:55 AM
joke intended
I always handout US made paletas. Tootsie Pops seem to be preferred.awfulart - 1-28-2007 at 07:51 AM
Thank you everyone for your "kind and thoughtful" responses. Perhaps I have
been misled by my understanding that these soldados are not trained very well, are poorly paid and might very well be dirt poor, unlike our well paid
highway patrol/immigration personnel.
I guess I will just have to do what seems to be the right thing. I will have some Spanish language School books for the school in Mulege and would
hope they don't present a problem taking them down there.Mulegena - 1-28-2007 at 09:25 AM
These guys are there doing a job their government has created. They should not expect handouts.
Having traveled via RV down Baja many times, I truly thought it was their job to confiscate fresh foodstuff from my refrigerator because at each stop,
and without explanation, they took something that was in its whole state. I didn't like this but thought they were within their rights to do so. To
stop this I chop up my fresh food and put it in containers; they do not take that. I have since been informed that they are not an arm of the
Agriculture Department and are absolutely out of line in taking anything.
They may enter any vehicle and search for illegal drugs or weapons and take the appropriate action if they find any-- that is their job as defined by
the Mexican government.
To take food or expect handouts is to act in an unprofessional manner. To give handouts is disrespectful and in my opinion, not on.
Now at a military check point I give nothing and take nothing off anyone. I am ultra-alert, friendly but I expect-- and receive-- respect while I
attentively watch these young men do their assigned job.DENNIS - 1-28-2007 at 09:27 AM
What are they looking for anyway? How many weapons can be stuffed into an ash tray?David K - 1-28-2007 at 11:56 AM
Drugs and weapons/ammo Dennis... Your ash tray may not be just for tobacco....vacaenbaja - 1-28-2007 at 12:17 PM
And I would be very respectfull despite any treatment.
All it would take is one or two "dropped" rounds in the back
of your rig and your next stop may be very interesting in
the land of "guilty until proven inocent".Pescador - 1-28-2007 at 02:22 PM
The late Mike Humphreyville said something profound that I will always remember, and which seems to apply to this case. He said," I hope that I
never treat someone differently due to his economic status". That so depersonalizes the receiver not to mention how it cheapens the giver.DENNIS - 1-28-2007 at 02:33 PM
Jeezo ---
I wish I'd known Mike H. Im sure I'd be a better person today.Osprey - 1-28-2007 at 02:44 PM
Fisher, you lost me. I hope I will give aid to those in need, hope I would not treat them like the rich.
"Now Robin Hood was famous, but there's one thing you should know, he only robbed the rich folks cause the poor folks had no dough". Those soldiers
always cokes from me -- just trying to walk in their shoes -- those big hot boots in the summer.awfulart - 1-28-2007 at 03:59 PM
Pescador, I agree we should not treat people differently because of their economic situation but I don't believe Mike meant we should never share
what we have.
Artbancoduo - 1-28-2007 at 03:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by vacaenbaja
And I would be very respectfull despite any treatment.
All it would take is one or two "dropped" rounds in the back
of your rig and your next stop may be very interesting in
the land of "guilty until proven inocent".
They started doing that in the 70's but at the same roadblock.
I've seen the DEA do the same thing in the US during a muffed bust.woody with a view - 1-28-2007 at 06:34 PM
seems like they just like to check out your "stuff".Bruce R Leech - 1-28-2007 at 06:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
A nice smile and a compliment about thier professionalism.
this is the way to go vacaenbaja - 1-28-2007 at 08:51 PM
Despite the intimidation factor you should ALWAYS keep an
eye on the person searching your vehicle. If there are two of you, one should watch from their side of the truck while the
driver gets out and opens the rear doors with keys rather than remotely
That way It gives you an excuse to go around and escort your inspector while they ply through your stuff.
I told this to my friend on a trip down to Camalu. He did not
follow the drill and payed with the loss of his digital camera.
It may be a little more intimidating with inspectors other than the military,use your judgement on their body language.
But definitely with the military kids in their teens.David K - 1-28-2007 at 09:10 PM
Exactly... I enjoy the Latin American experience of soldiers on a desert highway with machine guns! I mean, it ain't the USA, that's why it has so
much appeal!
If they actually ask you to get out for an inspection (about 30% of the time for me), then take your keys, wallet and don't leave anything out like
camera, GPS, etc.
I stand right by the doorway and look closely at where they are reaching.
When done, if it was a pleasnt experience (it almost always is) and it seems appropriate... some nice gesture of fruit, water, soda, gum,
conversation... I mean, gee wiz, we are on vacation traveling hundreds of miles from home to have fun in their country... If we can't give a little
(and I mean little) to show our generosity or appreciation, then how can we expect the same in return?
It is part of the Baja travel experience... If you don't like the way things are done in Mexico, there's nobody forcing you to go there!!!
Photo from Seatwill
Woooosh - 1-28-2007 at 10:33 PM
Where did the idea of gifting these guys come from anyway? I go through the new inspection checkpoints a lot when I head to SD. I usually have a
white lab with me that the soldiers enjoy playing with through teh window- almost as much as he enjoys chewing on their arm. I think just being nice
to them while they do their jobs is a pleasant surpirse for them. It's never occurred to me to offer them a treat and they've never looked at me like
I should offer one. JMHO thoughDavidT - 1-29-2007 at 12:02 AM
Awfulart, If you were to go through an intense inspection at a checkpoint, up to and including having your vehicle unpacked and everything inspected
would you still give out sodas afterwards? Or do you only reward them when they behave like you want?
Vacaenbaja and DavidK, you seem to approach these soldiers as potential thieves. Is this from personal experience or just a general distrust of
Mexicans?
Soulpatch, in California is it safe to say that you are well compensated for your work? For the sake of this argument let's say so. If you were in
the position of a professional (soldier, public servant) in Baja would you have the same outlook?
DavidDavidT - 1-29-2007 at 12:18 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
And, what is in a man's heart doesn't have anything to do w/a border.
Agreed, and that may explain DavidK's passion.
Gimme a break DT!
Sharksbaja - 1-29-2007 at 01:38 AM
The way I see it is; the faster and friendlier they are is proportional to my attitude and generocity. DavidT are you inferring that public servants
should not receive tips, gifts or gratuities.
That my friend is what drives the service industry in the U.S. It it weren't fer gratuities many service employees would suffer financially.
Nationality or race makes no difference when it comnes to outright service. Just cause these checkpoint guys are govt doesn't mean ya can't toss em
a thank you in the form of ___________(enter your choice). They don't get many goodies or perks from Mexico City.
Is it about customer service. If they give it , I reflect my appreciation appropriately. Would I buy em all a steak dinner? Well that depends what
they find!Phil S - 1-29-2007 at 07:08 AM
This has worked for me in the past. Makes me "feel good" for doing it, and hoping the soldiers enjoyed what I do. I buy used dart boards &
darts at Salvation Army store in my home town. I carry it to Loreto. Sometimes it gets there, and sometimes it goes back home with me. Sometimes I'm
impressed with my inspection & or the personel doing the inspection. Then they end up with the dartboard & darts. Whom will be remembered as
being friendly? The grumpy p--sed off gringo who shows his disgust at being inconvenienced by being stopped, or the friendly gringo who speaks lousy
spanish, but tries, and after the inspection is overwith, offers a used dartboard & darts? That shouldn't be a "no brainer" And David K. Right
on mi amigo. Who cares what anyone thinks what we do is right or not. We aren't living for them anyhow!!!!!Bob and Susan - 1-29-2007 at 07:15 AM
responses. Perhaps I have
been misled by my understanding that these soldados are not trained very well, are poorly paid and might very well be dirt poor, unlike our well paid
highway patrol/immigration personnel. 
