BajaNomad

Mordidas: Omission vs lubrication

DENNIS - 6-22-2007 at 11:59 AM

I just tried to post this so if it comes up again.............

During the Regan administration, mordida paid in the development of international business was made tax deductible. It probably still is.

We have a winner!

Dave - 6-22-2007 at 12:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
in a society with a more relaxed work ethic


In the PC contest. :rolleyes:

Osprey - 6-22-2007 at 12:50 PM

Mexico is certainly one of those places where "it is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission" -- that said, maybe someone can find the survey/poll once posted by Stephanie Jackter (I can't locate it) where some 14,000 Mexicans were asked to state the annual costs of mordidas paid to "get along". I think the guy on the street reported 8% of income while the poor posted 29% of annual income. No Gringos in that poll -- we usually pay next to nothing, fight the system. Sometimes gringos pay it and really don't know what to call it. One of my neighbors took some city land from our village street when he built a new wall -- the survey showed he actually owned it but it was a glaring change because it took a big chunk out of the corner. His contractor arranged for a proper permit/sale document for $400 dollars. When he asked the contractor "why $400"?, the answer was "there were four guys at the city who saw the new wall go up".

Yes...

Dave - 6-22-2007 at 03:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
I was actually serious.


Do I still get a prize? :lol:


but in a different category. :rolleyes:

Slowmad - 6-22-2007 at 03:31 PM

Tough crowd.

Fred on global economics

Oso - 6-22-2007 at 03:34 PM

Start with corruption. In many poor countries, virtually everything is for sale. You can bribe the cops to get out of a ticket or bribe them to beat up an enemy, bribe a general in the army to overlook illegal logging, bribe anybody to do anything. The result is that really the country barely has laws, which means that you can never be sure of your legal ground. Businesses need predictability.

Corruption exists in advanced counters, but there is less of it, and it tends to take organized form, as in campaign contributions, affirmative action, and seats of boards of directors after leaving office.

Suspected Economic Law: The easier it is to bribe a working-stiff cop, the poorer the country.

DENNIS - 6-22-2007 at 03:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oso

Suspected Economic Law: The easier it is to bribe a working-stiff cop, the poorer the country.


Certainly poorer in spirit and character.

Copied here from another thread because of its relevance to this topic:

amir - 6-22-2007 at 09:08 PM

Disclaimer: This next paragraph NOT written by Amir.

"Here far from the madding crowds there is NO engineer to go to...hmmmm..and heaven forbid we wouldn't want to feed the mordida machine but I gotta tell ya all....a case of beer goes a LOOONGGG way and certainly speeds things up in a friendly manner...with a few cold ones you can get alot done...like grading your lot...fresh fish brought to you...good advice...garbage pick up (my garbage guy doesn't drink but soda and cookies make sure they come around alot.) Let's just say that on the long lists of things the officials have to do...with some booty your job gets put near the top of the list which works for everyone...after all, it's all about priorities. I hate the mordida idea but it is how things have been done here for a very long time and if you don't "cooperate" you are seen as muy codo (cheapskate) and ignorant or kinda rude and obviously arent in a hurry for your project. So a little palm greasing is really just the price of doing business...kinda like a tax in a way...maybe we should call it the expediant tax...definately warrants it's own forum and a worthy discussion for everyone. Yesterday, I needed a lot measured and our land guy was very busy but for a hundred pesos, he drops everything and comes and does it...you do the math. Oh yeah, never heard of building codes here but probably has something to do with gringos??? "

[Disclaimer added]

[Edited on 6-23-2007 by amir]

bajaguy - 6-22-2007 at 09:18 PM

Needed a hole for a temporary power pole on my construction project here in the states. Local power company was installing poles along the street, but told me they couldn't drill on private property.

Left a case of Bud Light where I wanted the hole, and went to town........2 hours later returned, and admired my new "excavation".............

It's all good!!!!!!

amir - 6-22-2007 at 10:19 PM

Mordida, like so many other words, can have a lot of connotations.
I don't advocate illegal behaviors and many mordidas fall into that category.

Lencho, Oso and others in this thread have listed activities that can be lumped in the category of mordidas; some are more acceptable than others. I'm sure we can come up with many more mordida varieties that would fill several pages.

There are more "benign" forms of mordida, like what I was talking about that started this thread. Literally "a bite", it is a charge, a fee, a bonus. I also called it a gift, to facilitate and to grease the wheels. It may seem to be more prevalent in poorer countries, but this happens all the time even in developed rich superpowers, they just call it something else and they have more zeroes.

The recipient of the mordida has something you want, and you have something he wants. Usually there are societal rules that guide these exchanges in acceptable ways, but people are very ingenious everywhere and they find ways to get "preferential" treatment. We all have favorites and we make choices in our priorities, and when a little money exchanges hands those choices can be better manipulated. But this can get out of hand very quickly, and it often does, and that is why most people abhor this type of system.

A tip, a gift, a perk, even a "please" and a "thank you" can also have a manipulating effect. I guess the trick would be to know when you are crossing the line and breaking the law when you are offering, or are requested money or anything else to obtain preferential treatment of any sort.

--Amir

rob - 6-23-2007 at 07:14 AM

Dennis,

Last time I looked it was a federal offence for a US Corporation to pay a bribe - the computer company I worked for in another life could not set up shop in Indonesia because we simply could not do day-to-day business WITHOUT paying "commissions" - it was how the bureacracy received their income.

Different strokes . .

DENNIS - 6-23-2007 at 07:19 AM

rob----

Thanks for the update. I remember getting my information from the newspaper at a time when I didn't question them. Should'a known.
Then again, Regan days were different.
Quien Sabe?

longlegsinlapaz - 6-23-2007 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by amir in another thread
Just a little mordida, a little bite, a gift. But NOT "to look the other way," as you say, but to facilitate the process and grease the wheels, so to speak...


This comment brings out an interesting facet of the mordida which I haven't seen discussed here. Sometimes it's the price one pays to convince a power figure not to do his job; to a cop, for example, to let you off on a violation you clearly committed. But as often as not, it's an extra little encouragement for a bureaucrat to simply do his job properly. This seems strange to folks from certain cultures (I've heard of places where waiters are insulted if you offer them a tip), but in a society with a more relaxed work ethic it makes some kind of sense... :)

--Larry


In MY dictionary:

MORDITA: An incentive (usually monetary) to get someone to NOT do something legally required within the scope of their job or authority...or to get someone to do something specifically NOT legally required within the scope of their job description; including circumventing the process & time flow. Foolish me....I thought their salary & job description paid them to "facilitate the process & grease the wheels" on an ongoing basis!

Am I all alone here in recalling the stand that Fox took regarding "mordita" or "the bite"? :?:

All the service providers I've encountered are paid a salary, as Lencho said, to simply do his job; paying mordita to get someone to deviate from their job description is not something I'm willing to do for several reasons....they are getting paid to do their job, their REQUESTING mordita is illegal, their ACCEPTING mordita volunteered is illegal; either way, it puts BOTH of us in a position of doing something illegal! They face losing their job & jail time. We face legal proceedings & potential fines, jail time and/or deportation. People accepting mordita for doing their job are "double dipping". When faced with the option between "socially accepted norm" versus the law, the law wins in my book! Continuing to pay mordita encourages Mexican employers to continue to under-pay their workers at all levels. I feel mordita is an inherent cultural problem; this has become a society which EXPECTS workers to subsidize their salaries with mordita, and it's going to take generations for the pendulum to swing the other way. :( Especially in an society with a "relaxed work ethic", continuing to pay mordita only perpetuates the something for nothing mentality, this country has yet to discover the benefits of pay based on merit; novel approach that that may be! ;)

Morditda negatively effects YOU too! Think about it...you have a request in for something...anything...you've waited patiently or impatiently for your request to be processed...it takes six months...because those paying mordita keep getting preferential treatment over you! :bounce: IMHO, people who pay mordita are SELFISH!! They only think & care about their own interests, they don't give a damn about the legal ramifications to anyone, nor do they care about anyone who had their requests submitted before them! "Money talks" alright! But have you ever stopped to LISTEN to what it's saying about you & how you chose to use it??

PROPINA: A tip/gratuity/bonus/gift offered UNEXPECTEDLY after the fact for good service rendered.

I DO believe in propina, but only when it's MY idea, I won't pay propina when it's REQUESTED!

DENNIS - 6-23-2007 at 12:35 PM

I tip for good service...........nothing else.

bajalou - 6-23-2007 at 01:20 PM

"PROPINA: A tip/gratuity/bonus/gift offered UNEXPECTEDLY after the fact for good service rendered.

I DO believe in propina, but only when it's MY idea, I won't pay propina when it's REQUESTED!"

Try telling that to the restaurant manager in the US when you have a party of 8 or more. Try getting any service at all from a waiter that you didn't tip enough last time you were in the place.

Mango - 6-23-2007 at 01:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Needed a hole for a temporary power pole on my construction project here in the states. Local power company was installing poles along the street, but told me they couldn't drill on private property.

Left a case of Bud Light where I wanted the hole, and went to town........2 hours later returned, and admired my new "excavation".............

It's all good!!!!!!


When I ran a tree crew for the City of 'snard years ago a guy in Mandalay bay where we were working for a few days had a few branches laying around that he needed disposing of. He offered us some money but we told him " no, can't do that!". He then iced up some beers for us at the end of the day and dragged his stuff over to our brush pile and we just tossed it in w/our stuff.
10 seconds work and a few refreshed workers after 5.


Moral to the story:

Beer > Money

What's the definition of is?

Lee - 6-23-2007 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

IMHO, people who pay mordita are SELFISH!! They only think & care about their own interests, they don't give a damn about the legal ramifications to anyone, nor do they care about anyone who had their requests submitted before them! "Money talks" alright! But have you ever stopped to LISTEN to what it's saying about you & how you chose to use it??


A little heavy handed, aren't you? Do you really think anyone paying mordida is perpetuating anything not inherent in that culture? Do you hold Mexicans to the same standard it sounds like you're targeting gringoes with? I think a Mexican reading your words will scratch their heads and think: loco gringa. Whatever.
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
I DO believe in propina, but only when it's MY idea, I won't pay propina when it's REQUESTED!


Guess you haven't been to a restaurant up North in a large party lately. The tip is automatically added into the bill -- generally 15%+. Just want to keep customers honest. Sounds like mordida to me. Aren't the staff already paid a salary?

:cool:

bajalou - 6-23-2007 at 08:40 PM

Not much different than the US State Department - They have a job of issuing passports. But they aren't in any hurry so if you want to go to the head of the line just fork over another $60.

amir - 6-23-2007 at 10:02 PM

Quote:

... the US State Department - They have a job of issuing passports. But they aren't in any hurry so if you want to go to the head of the line just fork over another $60.


Aha! Mordida! And in the US! And by the US Government!
So, that's what I was saying: In the US it's called something else, and it is a lot more institutionalized and a lot more entrenched than in Mexico.

In Mexico you pay the mordida to the guy at the bottom, not the guy at the top. And my opinion, I rather give it to the guy at the bottom. He will buy shoes for his kids, or flowers for his wife, or he will treat his friends to beer, or whatever. This guy receiving the mordida supplements his meager income with a few pesos; he recycles this money locally, probably spends it in the barrio's tiendita.

On the other hand, when you pay "fees" and "taxes" to the higher echelons, they use that for much more nefarious political and social reasons, sometimes very far removed from your own beliefs and support.

Just like we would expect "foreigners" to obey the laws of the USA when they migrate to The States, and just like we, as Gringos, are expected to leave our culture north of the border and obey the rules and customs of our host Mexican country when we are down here, we better learn about mordidas, because that is just the way of life here and that is how certain things get done.

Longlegs, if you don't like it, don't do it. But don't try to change a culture because you have some problem with some aspects of it.

--Amir

longlegsinlapaz - 6-23-2007 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lee
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

IMHO, people who pay mordita are SELFISH!! They only think & care about their own interests, they don't give a damn about the legal ramifications to anyone, nor do they care about anyone who had their requests submitted before them! "Money talks" alright! But have you ever stopped to LISTEN to what it's saying about you & how you chose to use it??


A little heavy handed, aren't you? Do you really think anyone paying mordida is perpetuating anything not inherent in that culture? Do you hold Mexicans to the same standard it sounds like you're targeting gringoes with? I think a Mexican reading your words will scratch their heads and think: loco gringa. Whatever.

Lee, Heavy handed? Maybe...I guess it depends on your perspective...I prefer to think that I'm firm in my beliefs. If you'll go back & re-read, I DID say: "I feel mordita is an inherent cultural problem; this has become a society which EXPECTS workers to subsidize their salaries with mordita, and it's going to take generations for the pendulum to swing the other way." And my comments were NOT restricted to gringos! I guess any of the Mexicanos on the site have as much a right to call me a loco gringa as you do! This thread is all about expressing our own individual thoughts & feelings.


Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
I DO believe in propina, but only when it's MY idea, I won't pay propina when it's REQUESTED!


Guess you haven't been to a restaurant up North in a large party lately. The tip is automatically added into the bill -- generally 15%+. Just want to keep customers honest. Sounds like mordida to me. Aren't the staff already paid a salary?

:cool:


You guessed right!! I haven't been north of Constitution for 4 years!:D But I do tip for food service, according to the level of service. What I was referring to here is when I'm solicited for a propina to provide a normal level of service, somewhere other than a restaurant.

longlegsinlapaz - 6-23-2007 at 10:37 PM

Quote:

Longlegs, if you don't like it, don't do it. But don't try to change a culture because you have some problem with some aspects of it.

--Amir


I don't like it & don't do it. How did expressing MY thoughts on ONE aspect of the culture...mordita...become my trying to change "a culture"?? :?::?: Nothing could be further from the truth. You don't know me, but I'm one of the most vocal proponents of leaving "gringo standards & expectations" at the border! And here I was thinking that it was Vincente Fox who said "No more mordita!" Pardon me for echoing a presidential edict.

I'm sorry that you chose to ignore the dire legal issues for the poor Mexicanos, especially in federal jobs, who get caught accepting mordita, they can't spent the (forfeited) $$ at the local tienda nor buy shoes for their children from jail!

amir - 6-24-2007 at 12:15 AM

Longlegs, indeed I do not know you, but IMHO you did more than just express your thoughts, you were very judgemental; I even sensed anger in your words, and so I surmise that you really strongly believe in your convictions. That's great. I have strong convictions, too, but irregardless of what Vincent Fox said, the culture here did not change yet, and if I want some things done, I'm gonna have to grease some wheels... It sucks!

I wonder if you feel the same way about other certain laws that have been promulgated by past presidential edicts or other legislation. Once I had a whole list of stupid laws that are still laws that have never been repealed; unfortunately I no longer have that list to cite you some examples, but the one I do remember is about it being a federal offense to show public affection. I break this law everytime I walk downtown holding hands with my wife.

I wanted to give you other examples, but I cannot remember any. So I just googled "stupid laws" and got 2,580,000 results! Here are some random ones:

Hunting camels is prohibited in Arizona.
In Iowa horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants.
While it is legal for theaters to show movies on a Sunday, it is only legal so long as (1) they have a permit from either the city or the county and (2) at least once monthly they show a religious or educational film.
In Ohio, if you ignore an orator on Decoration day to such an extent as to publicly play croquet or pitch horseshoes within one mile of the speaker's stand, you can be fined $25.00.
In Idaho it is illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.
There is a law on the books of Tennessee that says a man must run in front of a vehicle that a woman is driving, and, that the car may not go faster than five miles an hour!
There is a law in Illinois that prohibits a number of things, one of which is a public erection, and another one of which is nude dancing. The prohibition against the public erection has never been challenged in the Supreme Court.
In Forida it is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
In Massachussetts an ordinance declares goatees illegal unless you first pay a special license fee for the privilege of wearing one in public.
In New Mexico females are strictly forbidden to appear unshaven in public.
In Oklahoma females are forbidden from doing their own hair without being licensed by the state.
In Pennsylvania no man may purchase alcohol without written consent from his wife.
In Texas a city ordinance states that a person cannot go barefoot without first obtaining a special five-dollar permit.
Vancouver, WA has a city law that requires all motor vehicles to carry anchors... as an emergency brake.

OK, I think that's enough examples (it was fun to research stupid laws in the USA...)

Now, Longlegs, do you feel as strongly about ignoring these "dire legal issues for the poor" Americans, just because they are edicts. Some of them required a fee, like 5 bucks to walk barefooted, and a license to cut your own hair or wear a beard! Are those mordidas or what?

I hope we DO leave these "gringo standards and expectations" at the border. And I also hope to learn to relax and be open about customs that go against previously held deep convictions. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Note that this saying is not the same as: "When in Rome, do as Caesar edicts." Should we change the proverb?

--Amir

longlegsinlapaz - 6-24-2007 at 07:22 AM

Lencho started this thread about mordita. I've stated MY position on that topic. You've stated yours. Our positions & beliefs are at opposite ends of the spectrum, as is the logic behind our positions. I agree to disagree on the subject of mordita.

bajalou - 6-24-2007 at 07:28 AM

Quote:
Quote:
What I was referring to here is when I'm solicited for a propina to provide a normal level of service, somewhere other than a restaurant.


And why are restaurants an exception??

No right answer -- it is what it is.

Lee - 6-24-2007 at 07:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
I feel mordita is an inherent cultural problem; this has become a society which EXPECTS workers to subsidize their salaries with mordita, and it's going to take generations for the pendulum to swing the other way. :( Especially in an society with a "relaxed work ethic", continuing to pay mordita only perpetuates the something for nothing mentality, this country has yet to discover the benefits of pay based on merit; novel approach that that may be! ;)


OK I know many of us agree it's a culturally inherent problem. Guess I accept it's NOT going to go away -- not in a few generations -- maybe never? I'm OK with that -- and I'm thinking you aren't. I don't know what this means: mordida perpetuates something for nothing. Benefits of pay based merit? Too deep for me. MX Econ 101. I don't think Mexicans see it that way either. Just an opinion based on how I view the world.
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Morditda negatively effects YOU too!... IMHO, people who pay mordita are SELFISH!! They only think & care about their own interests, they don't give a damn about the legal ramifications to anyone, nor do they care about anyone who had their requests submitted before them! "Money talks" alright! But have you ever stopped to LISTEN to what it's saying about you & how you chose to use it??


You have no problem speaking your mind and expressing your thoughts. Perhaps it's the force with which you do that here. And when you start pointing your finger at folks calling them selfish, your views become heavy handed. Reread the above. (I am not saying you can't express your views with force, anger or opinionation, either. Just my view.)
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
And my comments were NOT restricted to gringos! I guess any of the Mexicanos on the site have as much a right to call me a loco gringa as you do! This thread is all about expressing our own individual thoughts & feelings.


I didn't call you loco. I wrote that many Mexicans might. Just an opinion as I might be wrong on this. I'm also thinking Mexicans accept, good and bad, the inherent ''problems'' of their country including mordida. I think they think it's less of an issue than gringoes -- and of courses, gringoes are targeted in an unfair way than locals because they have more money. I accept that too.
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
You guessed right!! I haven't been north of Constitution for 4 years!:D But I do tip for food service, according to the level of service. What I was referring to here is when I'm solicited for a propina to provide a normal level of service, somewhere other than a restaurant.


I think mordida is a very emotional subject and there are no right answers -- except for those who think mordida is wrong, and then it seems like it becomes a moral issue for them, and they think there's a vast corrupt conspiracy made worse by participating in it. I didn't invent mordida -- I view it as a gift, a way to facilitate the process, to grease the wheel. El Norte can learn something from this process. I feel very secure that mordida will keep me out of trouble.

:cool:

DENNIS - 6-24-2007 at 07:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou

And why are restaurants an exception??

Tradition.

DENNIS - 6-24-2007 at 07:52 AM

Mordita, in it's most unadulterated form and related to law enforcement, is ideal. Those who break the law, support law enforcement. It's a Sin-Tax.

OK---OK........I know it doesn't happen like this when greed takes over but, wouldn't it be nice.

amir - 6-24-2007 at 09:27 AM

Mordida IS an emotional issue. I wonder what the original events were that lead to our individual beliefs.

I don't think that it so much of a moral issue, just like I don't think that MONEY is much of a moral issue, except in some moral-immoral circumstances.

And of course money talks; that is precisely one of its functions. Sometimes it says ugly things. If we plug our ears, does money stop talking ugly things?

People that have more money can almost always get more and better things, and sooner. I have very strong convictions about the power of money and how it is misused and abused by those who have it. It seems that one problem with mordidas is that involves the government, and to some it only applies to federal employees and to restaurants. Perhaps these cases are easier to identify and to talk about and that is why we get stuck on these examples. But the same inequalities are present in all levels of human interactions.

The exchange of money, or the energy it represents, is commonplace everywhere in the world. We exchange money for goods or services at some established rate. However, the price of things is not always set in stone; sometimes the price is negotiable. More often than not, the price of goods and services is different than it was first quoted, because of sales, discounts, bargaining, supply and demand, and so on and so forth. Mordida is just one more variable in this equation.

Those with more money can always get ahead of the line; they can buy their place or send somebody to hold their place in the line. Why, in theaters they even charge more for sits in the orchestra section! And in ships, the less you pay, the closer your accomodations will be to the bilge. In hospitals more money gets you a private room. But when it comes to government, some feel it should be different, and maybe it should be, but it isn't. It is not so even in an ashram. And utopias are only fantasies and dreams.

When there is a choice between two products, the better one usually costs more. Is this immoral? Does this discriminate against the poor?

When there is a choice between levels of service, usually the higher service commands more money. Government should be the same for everyone, but is it? Do politicians have their own agendas? Do special interests and campain contributions affect the results? Does money talk?

Maybe some feel so strong about the subject of mordida because it is not fair. But this is not a fair world. Competition of any sort is not fair. It is not fair that some have more opportunities than others. It is not fair that some are better equipped for certain tasks than others. It is not fair that some people are smarter than others. It is not fair that some are born into wealth. And it is not fair that some can afford a mordida and they get what they want. Preferential treatment is but one variable in the ORDER of how events get stacked in this world.

Are prayers mordidas to God?

--Amir

MORDIDA IN ACTION!

amir - 6-24-2007 at 10:44 PM

I'VE BEEN BITTEN...

This afternoon, Sunday at about 4:00 p.m., I went to the beer store to buy a six-pack of Negra Modelo. The price is usually 50 pesos. Today the clerk told me that the price is now 55 pesos.

"Did the price go up?" I asked.
"No," he replied, "The store is supposed to be closed by 3:00 o'clock on Sundays. We can stay open later but then we have to pay the municipality the higher price." He told me the weekly store hours and then asked me if I still wanted the beer.

I handed him the money and he said, "Una mordida para El Municipio."

I was happy to pay 10% extra to get the beer I wanted at this particular time to take to the beach and photograph the sunset.

--Amir
P.S. I will post pictures of tonight's "Mordida Sunset" in a new Photo Gallery right after this.

rob - 6-25-2007 at 09:12 AM

Here is a "corruption predictor".


http://www.usc.edu/schools/business/FBE/seminars/papers/AE_4...

Facilitating the process in action

Lee - 6-25-2007 at 10:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by amir
I'VE BEEN BITTEN...
"Did the price go up?" I asked.
"No," he replied, "The store is supposed to be closed by 3:00 o'clock on Sundays. We can stay open later but then we have to pay the municipality the higher price." He told me the weekly store hours and then asked me if I still wanted the beer.

I handed him the money and he said, "Una mordida para El Municipio."

I was happy to pay 10% extra to get the beer I wanted at this particular time to take to the beach and photograph the sunset.


Everyone is bitten. Everyone is happy. Muni get's paid, the store get's what it wants and get's to stay open longer, you get your beer and enrich the economy AND you're grateful for having COLD CERVEZA. Sure looks like a triple win to me! What a great Nomad attitude you have, Amir. I wish there were more people like you posting here.

Quote:
Originally posted by rob
Here is a "corruption predictor".

http://www.usc.edu/schools/business/FBE/seminars/papers/AE_4...



According to the Diplomatic Corruption, Mexico shows up in 91st place in the corruption predictor -- when compared to countries around the world. Mordida is regional and not all cops are corrupt. No bad days.

:cool:

[Edited on 6-25-2007 by Lee]

[Edited on 6-25-2007 by Lee]

Mango - 6-25-2007 at 11:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by amir
I'VE BEEN BITTEN...

This afternoon, Sunday at about 4:00 p.m., I went to the beer store to buy a six-pack of Negra Modelo. The price is usually 50 pesos. Today the clerk told me that the price is now 55 pesos.

"Did the price go up?" I asked.
"No," he replied, "The store is supposed to be closed by 3:00 o'clock on Sundays. We can stay open later but then we have to pay the municipality the higher price." He told me the weekly store hours and then asked me if I still wanted the beer.

I handed him the money and he said, "Una mordida para El Municipio."

I was happy to pay 10% extra to get the beer I wanted at this particular time to take to the beach and photograph the sunset.

--Amir
P.S. I will post pictures of tonight's "Mordida Sunset" in a new Photo Gallery right after this.


That reminds me of the time I was watching a Raider game on tape delay in the town of Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua. The game started at 9pm and at 10:30pm the bartender told me that all bars in town had to close at 11pm. Since it was the only bar in town with satellite TV, I was in a bind.

I asked him if he would stay open until the end of the game if I bought everyone in the bar drinks until it was over.(only 5 people including the bartender). Without hesitation, he proceeded to lock the front door and turn off the lights in the front of the bar. I made 5 new friends in a strange town, got to see the end of my game, and had a great time. There are now 5 more Raider fans in Chihuahua. It cost me about $20 USD.

If you don't belive in Mordida, thats fine. But, It works and it is the way it is. It is part of most cultures one way or another. When I goto my local bar, I tip my bartender well. I get more tequila in my shot for less price than strangers, often my drinks are free. For my better tips, I get quicker service and I know I am welcome. In the end it works out for the bartender and it works out for me. If you don't believe in mordida or tipping feel free to spend 10% on your tips; but, don't expect a strong drink or quick service. In the end you will find out that you are not the only one that cares about their money and time.

I don't really see a problem paying a traffic cop to forget a violation. (I have traveled in Mexico for years on only had to pay the police once! Believe me, even though I did nothing wrong, it was cheaper in the long run and kept me out of jail for a night) Pay him then, or goto court and pay somebody else later. It still cost you in the end. A little money now or a lot of your time and money later... your choice.

It's not like you have to pay Mordida for nothing. You get something for it, that is the idea. At least in Mexico everyone knows the game, here you have to be very wealthy to even play and don't fool yourself and say it does not exist in the USA too, it's just different.

When in Rome... or when playing chess.. don't try to play checkers and get upset when it does not work out well.. The more you know about the game the better off you are, even if you choose not to play.

Mordida works. Thank the Mordida God.

Lee - 6-26-2007 at 10:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
It's not like you have to pay Mordida for nothing. You get something for it, that is the idea. At least in Mexico everyone knows the game, here you have to be very wealthy to even play and don't fool yourself and say it does not exist in the USA too, it's just different.


Yeah, in the USA, mordida is called gringo mordida.

I learned that taking care of people mean they take care of you.

When I walk to the head of a long line, greet the Maitre d' by name, shake hands with him (slipping him $$$$), he escorts me through the door, and to a front table. He wins and I win. Money talks, BS walks.

:cool:

latortugaguera - 6-26-2007 at 11:02 AM

A wonderful Ensenada traffic officer, stop me last week for yielding at a stop sign. He was a perfect gentleman, when I offer to pay the ticket on site, he responded “ If I take your money I will be forced to take you to jail” then he ask me to smile for him, he gave me a warning and ask me for my phone number. The system works every time.

toneart - 6-26-2007 at 11:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by latortugaguera
A wonderful Ensenada traffic officer, stop me last week for yielding at a stop sign. He was a perfect gentleman, when I offer to pay the ticket on site, he responded “ If I take your money I will be forced to take you to jail” then he ask me to smile for him, he gave me a warning and ask me for my phone number. The system works every time.


Not the kind of Mordida or lubrication that is available to me to use. :barf:

....interesting syntax in post regarding sin tax.:spingrin:

woody with a view - 6-26-2007 at 11:28 AM

has he called yet?

latortugaguera - 6-26-2007 at 11:30 AM

lol prolly but I gave him my area code + zip code. Still waiting for his call lol