BajaNomad - Women & Mordita??

Women & Mordita??

jeans - 1-12-2008 at 05:54 PM

Mordita and the antics of the Mexican cops have been a popular recurring topic for the almost 10 years I have been participating on these boards.

It seems the only Mordita stories are posted by men...what about American women driving in Mexico? Have you ever been stopped? If so, what happened?

I'd go first....but I've never been stopped. I would drive to my in-laws near Estero Beach in the 70's. My parents retired in Rosarito in the 80'. I've driven to Cabo San Lucas (and back) solo.

My mom has been stopped twice in 25 years. No ticket or mordita. Once she played dumb and nervous, asked if she could go to the little tienda she was stopped in front of and get a soda. The cop was gone when she came out (which is what she was hoping for). The second time (years later) she got ****** and indignant until the cop said "Why you yell me? Then he left.

Do the cops see men as an easier target than women? They don't think they could get as much money out of us?

Is it just that there are fewer women? (driving and/or posting) Or maybe they ARE "equal opportunity" scammers and it just has not been posted.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Edited on 1-13-2008 by Hose A]

Barry A. - 1-12-2008 at 06:01 PM

I am just guessing, of course, but I would bet that women drive less aggressively, and the bad guys just don't want to deal with women when they KNOW they are wrong to make the stop in the first place. It is easier for them to deal with hostile men, and men are perhaps more impatient, will pay off and just get on their way???? I have never paid mordida, so don't really know.

Very good question-----it will be interesting to see the responses.

Debra - 1-12-2008 at 06:30 PM

Love this topic Jeans, I hope alot of us 'BBB's ' respond!

I have NEVER been stopped, (10yrs. and many times each year) I don't know if it's BECAUSE I'm a woman (they might have more respect for women? might it remind them that had better behave because their Moms might be watching? Maybe because I travel with my (not so anymore) young son? When I have stopped at check points, I have been treated with the utmost respect, never really been checked beyond the "Mrs.........(they always call me Mrs.) please can we look in back" I just open it up and have never had them do anymore than look and ask "any guns or drugs?"

We all have heard of women being raped at border towns by police while their families had to watch helpless. I WON'T go "there" I can't see them shooting me on a city street if I refuse to go to the "station" so they can just "pack sand!"

bajajudy - 1-12-2008 at 06:47 PM

I, also, have never been stopped. I think that it has something to do with the mother thing. No matter how macho some of these guys think they are, they all have mothers and they were taught to respect or, at least, fear these women.
Plus I am no longer a woman that they might want to chat with...talking about mother figure!!!

I could be totally wrong about this but I do think that it has something to do with the culture.

shari - 1-12-2008 at 06:53 PM

Yup, I figure that's it Judy...I have driven Baja for over 20 years and have never been stopped while I was driving!!!

sanfelipebob - 1-12-2008 at 07:07 PM

I have long hair, now I need to wear a dress????? :lol:

bajajudy - 1-12-2008 at 07:15 PM

bob
actually I think a little lipstick with do the trick

jeans - 1-12-2008 at 07:18 PM

and shave the beard..... :lol:

rhintransit - 1-12-2008 at 07:58 PM

I've been stopped, but no mordida...giving/taking a bribe is a two way street, both people have to participate. someone has to ask, or offer. I go into dumb mode, don't offer anything, and wait it out. one time I was stopped and the motorcycle cop told me there was a big fine, x amount, and did I have that much money?, I said no and waited to see what happened next. eventually he just gave up I guess, and waved me away. my guess is that women aren't expected to be that street savvy, after all, they are supposed to have someone taking care of them, and paying the bribes if they are Mexican. I'd guess it's cultural as well as a numbers game...fewer of us out there, so far. any female payers? I'd be interested in hearing their experiences.

Santiago - 1-12-2008 at 08:47 PM

Jeans: Interesting point. I have maybe 20 crossings without a hitch and my last two got stopped. Andy and I are getting pretty close to needing man-bras - might as well go all the way and change into our drag uniforms while getting pesos at the Costco in Chula Vista. Can we stop by your place on the way down and pick up a change? If I recall, you and Andy are about the same.....oh never mind

¿Por qué? ¿Por qué?

debindesert - 1-12-2008 at 10:34 PM

The one and only time I got pulled over, I was horrified. Expecting the worst, I immediately screamed the words ¿Por qué? ¿Por qué?. I also was waiving my arms in the air like a crazy woman. Only half way to my door, the officer turned around, got in his car, and sped away.

I told of my encounter to our general contractor, who was waiting for me at the construction site of our home. He found it quite funny. My feelings were hurt. Expecting sympathy for being so upset, I told him so.

After he apologized, he gave his explanation of seeing it with humor. You probably reminded him of his Mother, Wife, or girlfriend. Why do you think men go to work?

To this day I don’t know if I should be flattered or, ... (you know the rest of the phrase.)

Me again

debindesert - 1-12-2008 at 10:50 PM

Not all, but most of the men I have met in Mexico say that they are brought up to respect and protect women. From their Mothers, to be helpful. From their Fathers, to provide and take care. From the Catholic Church, sanctified and revered.

When it comes to confrontations, I don’t believe they (men) have the tools to deal with women in a professional manner. From an educational system that has separate-gender classes, it’s hard to pin point if this has something to do with it.

(Worms in can. Now, take worms out of can)

-Deb

jeans - 1-13-2008 at 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by debindesert

When it comes to confrontations, I don’t believe they (men) have the tools to deal with women in a professional manner. -Deb

I think you nailed it! They will try to out-macho other men, but they run from an emotional woman!

Eli - 1-13-2008 at 07:36 AM

Never thought about it being a gender issue, but now that you mention it Jeans, I cannot personally think of ever being stopped when I was driving. I quit driving the long road trips and pretty much stay off the highway now for the last 5 years, (I always hated to drive). But, before that, I drove to San Jose and La Paz an unaccountable amount of times, the last time I drove alone from the Boarder to Los Barriles was 1998.

Still, My daughter drives frequently to La Paz and San Jose, and she has never been stopped while driving.

I remember her once telling me a story about riding into La Paz with another 3 ladies, it must have been 15 years ago or so, and with the exception of my daughter who was just coming out of being a kid then, all of the ladies where middle aged gringas.

They got stopped and hit on for the mordida; all were in agreement to pay the $200 pesos he requested and get on their way. That is of course with the exception of one, she is a retired district attorney from Alaska. Well, she got a little indignant about the whole situation and started to rip him a new one, they about had to gag her, still against her protest, they paid and went on with their day.

bajamigo - 1-13-2008 at 10:04 AM

A lot of good arguments in this thread for letting your wife drive.
:biggrin:

rhintransit - 1-13-2008 at 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
A lot of good arguments in this thread for letting your wife drive.
:biggrin:

I suspect the modida/ticket pass is only good for women driving alone or in the company of other women and/or children.

LuvinBaja - 1-13-2008 at 10:35 AM

Hi! My first time to post on this forum -- actually just visiting for the first time. A great friend of mine who lives here in Baja recommended the site. I've been living in Rosarito for a year and a half, but have been coming regularly for the past 5 years. I'm a woman... and I've never been stopped with a mordita "request" when I was driving. In fact, never stopped for any reason. But I've been a passenger when we've been "shaken down" a couple times over the years, and I've found that if I speak up & intervene, the policeman will back down. But the story that I think gives the most insight on this topic is an incident that happened to a young woman I know who moved to Baja about a year ago. She and her husband got stopped while on their way to San Diego from Rosarito. Her husband was driving, but doesn't speak a word of Spanish, whereas she is fluent -- so she was talking with the officer. She was 8 months pregnant at the time, and when the officer said that they would have to go to the station or he would impound their car, she started to cry -- and then apologized saying, "Forgive me, I'm just emotional because of my pregnancy." The officer then went pale and said, "Oh, please calm down, you'll hurt the baby -- please don't cry!" -- apologized profusely & waved them on. I think Mexicans (including policemen) are chivalrous when it comes to women, and show genuine concern & respect for women in general.

bajalera - 1-13-2008 at 03:06 PM

An education system with separate-gender classes? Not in La Paz, where my three children went to school for four years in the '60s, nor where my three grand-children go to school today.

debindesert - 1-13-2008 at 05:50 PM

bajalera, you’re right about most of the schools in Baja. I come to find out, it depends on the community, especially rural areas.

Most of the men I spoke with (San Felipe), said they received their education from the Church. They were separated after grade 6.

In my small community of Westminster, CA (aka Barbara City) in the 60s, we had Saint Mary’s. All my friends attending were separated by sex from grades 1 through 8. The ones that went on to attend our community high school, took a little more time to socialize themselves to co-ed classes.

The parental argument for a parochial environment was discipline from the boys and full attention from the girls. They did this for academic purposes, but dang, some of these kids were down right dumber than dirt. :lol:

Paulina - 1-13-2008 at 06:55 PM

I've been watching this thread with interest.

Have I ever been stopped? Yes, many times. Not alone though, only with a significant other.

The first time I can remember being stopped was in Ensenada, my husband at the time was driving our Dolphin motorhome. It was during the time when one could park directly in front of Hussongs.

The officers stopped us for running a stop sign that didn't exist. Husband got out of the motorhome as asked, I started raising a fuss. I was told to stay in the cab as my husband was directed to the back of the vehicle. That didn't stand good by me so I started to get out. The officer who was standing guard told me to stay put, then ended up blocking my exit by placing his butt against the passenger door as I was trying to get out. Talk about a comic scene. As I pushed so did he. Open, shut, open, shut.

I never was able to exit the vehicle, my ex paid the mordida and we were off.

Most of my trips after that were alone with my children. I was told of the Mexican regard for women, so I bought a large fake diamond from Kmart to wear on my left hand and left my real ring at home and hit the highway.

I was a mom, a married woman and worthy of respect, and so it seems that I got it. Even when I ran the road block in El Rosario I was met with the respect that a mother deserves.

You don't mess with moms, wives, or women who have the juevos to do it alone, so is the experience I've lived through. Is it stupid luck? Some may say yes.

Would I be so brave to do it now? I'm not so sure. Life and times have changed, so have the people who will come to your aid at the side of the road in the wee dark hours of the night. I probably would do it now, but with a different time schedule.

It's the luck of the draw and how you meet the hand that is dealt you at the moment.

Bottom line, I think we women have the advantage over our men, in this department.

Move over, I'm drivin'!

P<*)))><

jeans - 1-13-2008 at 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina

You don't mess with moms, wives, or women who have the juevos to do it alone, so is the experience I've lived

Love it!

Thanks, Paulina...I've been waiting for your contribution. Your story about running the El Rosario blockade is one of my all-time favorites. Too bad that story got lost with the old Amigos board!

Paulina - 1-13-2008 at 08:09 PM

I think Bedman has the original. I've lost it, but still have it logged into memory.

Bring it back Bedman!

P<*)))><

Sallysouth - 1-13-2008 at 08:14 PM

Yeah Jeans, I love it too and will never forget that story, a real classic!Paulina,you have the heuvos, and more, no doubt about it! I feel the same way when I drive or travel in Baja.I am a Mom, g-Ma- and x-wife, mom in law,(of my peeps that live in Bja) well... I will stop here, but could go on.I too know about the power of the Women in Baja! They don't scare me.I DO know of what you speak :dudette:

(however, I will not drive in Cabo!!)EEEKKK! :lol:

[Edited on 1-14-2008 by Sallysouth]

baja829 - 1-14-2008 at 03:53 PM

Only stopped once, although I've traveled thousands of miles in mainland and Baja. It was many years ago and my mother was in the car with me. We were in TJ, after spending a great time in Estero for her birthday.

The officer stopped me and said I drove through a stop sign. I told him there wasn't any stop sign and offered to go back and show him. He said he wouldn't give me a ticket if I would go and have a drink with him. With that I hit the ceiling and told him how dare he make such an offer, and especially since my 75 yr. old mother was in the car. He asked me if she understood Spanish too and when I said yes, he immediately apologized, said "good bye & drive carefully". My Mom thought it was pretty funny, and I was just happy I didn't get a ticket, or anything else.

jeans - 10-30-2009 at 04:34 PM

I thought I would bump this up because of reporter Anna Cearley's research on police corruption & mordita.

Any more stories out there?

Here it is Paulina...

David K - 10-30-2009 at 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina
I think Bedman has the original. I've lost it, but still have it logged into memory.

Bring it back Bedman!

P<*)))><

posted on 9-24-2006 at 10:22 PM

I Know a Short Cut...

I Know a Short Cut!

The date was the last week of March 1996. Connor was 8 years old, his sister Cody had just celebrated her first birthday. My two children were secured in the back seat of my truck, a red duel cab 4X4 Ford. The three of us were on a Spring break mission, heading to Bahia de Los Angeles for two weeks. Rosie our Bullmastiff was in the back.

A day prior to heading south, a good friend and Punta Banda neighbor, Fred Hoctor had informed me of a situation in El Rosario. He suggested I give my vacation location a second thought, and stay in Punta Banda. He had heard through the Baja grape vine that the road was closed in El Rosario and no one was getting through. I must have missed his article in the Western Outdoor News. I assured him that by the time I got there the situation would surely be resolved and I’d have no problem…

The line was quite long at the military checkpoint on the mesa above El Rosario. I pulled into my place, shut off the diesel motor and set ourselves up for a wait. I was getting bored with the scenery, noticing very few vehicles heading north. Finally I saw a car slowly approaching, gesturing at those in front of me to turn around. Seeing that, I already had my hand out the window, waving a greeting to meet theirs.

To my surprise the station wagon pulled to a dead stop. Sitting drivers door to door was a man who was probably as old and un kept as his car. In my best estimate he had about 10 dogs with him, wagging their tails and all vying for the driver’s side window.

“Unless you turn around, you aren’t going anywhere tonight.” He informed me.

By my guess this gentleman was in his late 70’s, with long grey hair tucked under his army hat. What else he had along with him I could not surmise as I saw nothing but dog fur.

Smiling, I leaned out my window asking what he meant by his statement. He informed me the highway in El Rosario had been closed. No one was going north or south until the road crew paid. He advised that I either turn around and go home, or plan on spending a week or two in my truck.

I had already decided I was not going to be spending Spring break with two young children and a big dog, camping along the side of the road in El Rosario.

Going back was not an option.

Giving this about 4 seconds of thought, I asked this gentleman, where he was coming from and how he got through the road block. With a huge somewhat toothless smile, through a bushy moustache he proudly replied, “I know a short cut!”

Peaking my interest, with raised eyebrows I replied, “Really? Do you care to share it with me?”

He said, very seriously, “Lady, you have to have a really BIG set of balls.”

“Well,” I replied, “I may not have the big balls, but I do happen to have a big truck!”
We met eye to eye and I knew that I had passed his test.

When my turn came, I finally made my way down the grade, past the Pemex, and pulled into town making the sharp left hand turn into El Rosario proper. Knowing that traffic would not be coming north from that point on, I took the opportunity to drive up the opposite side of the road, passing by the vehicles with their frustrated occupants.

At the front of the roadblock I parked my truck and marched up to where I found men sitting in plastic lawn chairs in front of a semi-truck trailer blocking the highway. I announced to them that I was a single mother and not in the mood to camp out in town with the two children and a wild dog. My plan was to go south, to Bahia de Los Angeles.

I must not have made a very big impression on the disgruntled crew as they didn’t move.

After making my silly announcement and not getting much of a reaction other than laughter, I knew that I had no other choice. I put into plan the secret my new found Ex-patriot friend had divulged to me. Walking back to my truck I asked a local observer where I could find the ball field. With a knowing smile he pointed south.

Climbing into the driver’s seat I made a U-turn as if going to join my place in line. As I made this slow turn the same local came up to the passenger side window, wished me luck saying, “Go for it.” Parked at this spot was a VW bus. There were two surfers watching my interaction with the locals. Anxious to get to their surf spot, they decided to follow me.

When I passed the spot where I was ‘supposed’ to dejectedly wait this protest out, I made a sharp left hand turn. Instead of joining the conga line I aimed for the baseball field. There was a taco stand there and a few of the customers tried to block my advance by standing in the road, arms spread wide. They thought better of their idea and jumped aside when they were faced with Big Red, followed by a VW surf van that wasn’t going to give them slack.

As I passed by the taco brigade, full on speeding across the baseball field, I happened to glance over my left shoulder to the highway. Much to my surprise I saw a truck coming down the embankment, heading my direction from the opposite side of the field.

During the time that I had taken to make my announcement, the u-turn, talk with the surf van, and then the dip past the taco stand, the road crew suffrage had the time to attach a dead body car to the tailgate of this truck.

Towing the rusted carcass it was racing me for home base, the far south facing corner of the ball field where at the time led to the river bed. There were 4 men in the bed of this truck, all whooping and hollering as the dead body car they were towing fishtailed back and forth behind them, raising a huge cloud of dust. I was leading the race and among their greatas, I was the first vehicle to hit the river bed, the VW surfers were right on my behind.

When I felt my truck drop into the sandy river bed I flashed back on my father. He was an off road racer, belonging to several clubs, very experienced in desert running. I learned from him that when one hits sand you don’t stop, but keep going. So as I gripped the steering wheel I told my son Connor to hold tight. We were about to have another fun Baja adventure! I wished the best for Rosie the Bullmastiff in the shell of the truck and floored it.

We roared into the El Rosario river bed, bouncing and racing along. My daughter Cody was secure in her car seat; Connor was in his seatbelt cheering me onward. Rosie on the other hand was not so comfortable with the generator and various camping supplies in the back of the truck, giving her a run for her space as we bumped along the river bed.

I lost sight of the surfer boys, not sure if they ever made it out of the river bed or not. I finally located a solid bank to the river and aimed left. I found myself pulling up and into the backyard of a local woman who was hanging her laundry. As I drove under her laundry line I apologized and made my way through her backyard, aiming for the highway.

As I nosed my way out of her driveway, I rejoined the pavement far south of the blockade. I was met with the surprised looks and faces of those waiting in line to go north; cars, campers, big rigs, all wondering where I came from and how did I make it past the road block.

I pulled over to the side of the road to secure the bed of the truck. Rosie had been jolted around, the generator and fuel cans had been dislocated not giving her much room. I organized the back, gave Rosie a potty stop and as I was closing it all up to head on to Bahia, a man in a motor home asked me how I got through.

I answered with a smile, “You have to have a big set of balls and know a short cut!” I recalled my adventure advising against it as most likely another blockade was being assembled across home plate at that very moment.

Still shaking, I headed south for Bahia. It donned on me that there was a good chance that I could be the last vehicle heading south for some time. I’d better not have any more adventures if I knew what was best for me.

When I pulled into Bahia I found a phone and gave Fred a call. “Guess what Fred, you were right! But guess what else? I know a short cut!” I didn’t tell him about my new balls!

I've always wondered what became of the surfer VW, and if they remember me.

P<*)))><

jeans - 10-30-2009 at 05:41 PM

It was great to read that again..but it really deserves its own post! :yes:

DENNIS - 10-30-2009 at 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeans
I thought I would bump this up because of reporter Anna Cearley's research on police corruption & mordita.

Any more stories out there?

What conclusions that are real has she come up with, anyway?
What makes her anything other than an unqualified questioner?
I just participated in a her poll put up here asking questions about police mordida. I wish I hadn't responded.
She's not a psychologist nor is she a sociologist or criminologist and is hardly a journalist.
Taking testimony from this site is anything but factual so, why ask for it?

Why doesn't she learn some Español and read the local papers?

If there's a groundswell of sentiment that the US press blows chiit out of proportion, perhaps they could use this type of shallow investigation method to support their claim.

jeans - 10-30-2009 at 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
[What conclusions that are real has she come up with, anyway?
What makes her anything other than an unqualified questioner?
I just participated in a her poll put up here asking questions about police mordida. I wish I hadn't responded.
She's not a psychologist nor is she a sociologist or criminologist and is hardly a journalist.
Taking testimony from this site is anything but factual so, why ask for it?

Why doesn't she learn some Español and read the local papers?

If there's a groundswell of sentiment that the US press blows chiit out of proportion, perhaps they could use this type of shallow investigation method to support their claim.

You don't know anything about her...she was a border reporter for 14 years...of course she speaks Spanish.
Are you fluent?

Paulina - 10-30-2009 at 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeans
It was great to read that again..but it really deserves its own post! :yes:

Thanks David for posting that, it was fun to read it and relive the adventure. I always smile when I pass that ballfield. There is a fence around it now, so that short cut is out of comission for future road blocks.

Those were the days.

P<*)))>{

bajalorena - 10-30-2009 at 10:09 PM

In January of 2006, I flew to California to settle my father's estate, and drove back with a new SUV. I asked a friend to drive along with me, she agreed and off we went. It was a pleasure to show someone new the experience of driving down Baja. The anticipation and worry crossing the border at San Ysidro (of course I had the vehicle loaded to the hilt), spending a great day in Ensenada, through the wine vineyards at Santo Tomas, making sure we got that last bit of gas at El Rosario for the long trek, the wonderous "Rock Gardens" thru Catavina, passing Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia wanting to stay in Mulege for the night. Just past the cereso on Highway 1, we got pulled over for going too fast. That I was doing...........
I asked my friend to say nothing unless asked a question ( of course, most questions were in Spanish, and she spoke none), and she agreed.
The officer asked for my license, told me I was going too fast, and what was the hurry? I explained to him that we were two women traveling alone, it was getting dark, and wanted to get settled into a hotel in Mulege for the night before dark.
He gave me a lecture about driving fast, that it was dangerous, that I could return to Santa Rosalia to pick up my driver's license (which would be about a nine hours drive from my house) because I was getting a ticket, and I started crying. I told him that I would be in a lot of trouble with my husband ( not) when he found out about my ticket. He asked me to calm down, and said to continue to Mulege, but to drive slow, and get there safe, and that he would not give me a ticket. I feel that if I had not been emotional (but defensive instead) at that time, I would have had to pay mordida to get out of the situation. Sooooo, I think that in this circumstance being a woman, and not putting the officer on the defensive, it worked out for us both. I didn't get the ticket, and he didn't have his authority questioned.
I was very nervous, drove slow, and saw him pulling someone else over going the other way. My friend said I deserved an Academy Award. I said let's just have a great dinner at Los Equipales, I'm buying........

Santiago - 10-31-2009 at 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina
I've always wondered what became of the surfer VW, and if they remember me.
P<*)))><

Believe me, that won't be a problem.... :lol:

David K - 10-31-2009 at 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeans
It was great to read that again..but it really deserves its own post! :yes:

It does... and it is its own post... Where I got it: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=19536

David K - 10-31-2009 at 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina

Quote:

Originally posted by jeans
It was great to read that again..but it really deserves its own post! :yes:

De nada... I used the Nomad search and found where you posted the story: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=19536

Dianamo - 10-31-2009 at 07:45 AM

I was stopped once going north in Santa Rosalia, because I stopped at an "alto" sign! I saw the cop behind me, so I wasn't going to make any errors. The "alto" sign was very confusing, as it was unclear which street was supposed to stop, so I decided to err on the conservative and stop, in case it was for my street. The cop did not know a woman was driving because he was behind me (BTW, I had shattered my right arm a couple of weeks early in Baja Sur and had a cast from my fingers to my shoulder), when he approached the door he looked surprised to see me driving and informed me that he could give me a citation for stopping at the "alto" sign, even as I pointed to the fact that it was facing me. He did give a couple of looks at my cast, which I thought may be a violation, since I was basically driving with one hand. But he then said to proceed! Maybe he thought the cast could be used as an effective weapon.

I have had a couple of other experiences that my husband says only I could get out of.

Role playing

Lee - 10-31-2009 at 12:09 PM

There are a couple reasons to be stopped. One is a traffic violation (speeding, running a red or amber light, running a stop sign) and the driver is guilty. Another would be the ''shake down'' -- driver has done nothing wrong and the cop making the stop wants money.

In either situation, and in my opinion, I believe women have a slight advantage.

Men can't use tears or anger (or maybe they can and I don't know about it) like a woman can. Women can intimidate cops in a way men can't.

Personally, if I'm guilty, I admit it and pay on the spot. If it's a shake-down, I stand my ground, do not play dumb, and confront the issue with respect and calmness.

Bajahowodd - 10-31-2009 at 12:30 PM

I think that many of the stories recounted here simply reflect the other side of the machismo coin.

tjBill - 11-1-2009 at 03:23 PM

A lot of men get shaken down in Red Light districts.

jeans - 11-1-2009 at 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
A lot of men get shaken down in Red Light districts.

That's a WHOLE 'nother thread! :lol:

Here's one I'm told that works

Lee - 11-2-2009 at 09:13 AM

Carry a water bottle while driving that you have access to. If stopped by the police, squirt some water on the crotch area of your pants or shorts. It's important that the water spot be seen -- lighter color fabric would work best.

After stopping, walk up to the cop and tell him you are having a ''medical emergency,'' and point to the wet spot. Show a little angst while doing this.

Probably wouldn't work on the same cop twice.

wonder if that would work in the states?

Dianamo - 11-2-2009 at 09:17 AM

Ten Plus Years

Gypsy Jan - 11-2-2009 at 04:41 PM

Living in Baja Norte full time.

I have been stopped many times by local police and the military at the check points.

I have always been treated courteously and there has never been a hint of an expectation of a bribe.