BajaNomad

"Ugly American"-types in Baja

Jeeper - 12-29-2008 at 12:02 PM

I mean the type of person who disses their host nation.

Is this a common problem? Do you have any in your Baja neighborhood?

[Edited on 12-29-2008 by Jeeper]

Bajafun777 - 12-29-2008 at 12:10 PM

Jeeper, not just "Ugly American" but "Ugly Mexican" "Ugly Arab" etc. etc. as it is not just Mexico that suffers from those that act like 'horses a$$e$," it is what it is and either you confront them, accept them,move from them or avoid them but not necessarily in that order!! Good manners and friendly attitudes are something you have learned in life and practice or you have "Ugly" of any race, country, or gender no shortage unfortunately on any of these. "No Hurry, No Worry, Just Fun" now that is what makes a good neighbor to me and be "Easy on the Easy" enjoy life instead of letting the idiots ruin it or run your life. Later--------------- bajafun777

Dave - 12-29-2008 at 12:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jeeper
Is this a common problem? Do you have any in your Baja neighborhood?


Don't have any in my neighborhood. Everyone loves it here.

Bajajorge - 12-29-2008 at 12:37 PM

I find that treating the Mexicans with respect gets you respect right back. Treat them like sh--, and they'll treat you like sh--. They are a very proud people, call them Hispanic or Latino and they'll very emphatically tell you they are not Hispanic or Latino, they are Mexican. Their culture might be different from Gringo culture, but they're proud of who they are.

Ugly

capn.sharky - 12-29-2008 at 12:50 PM

Those that don't understand the Mexican culture and act as if they are better than everyone else will soon enough find out that they are not welcome in Mexico. Most of these people are ugly here at home too. You see them cutting in lines, cutting you off on the freeway and just generally being rectums.

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 01:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jeeper
I mean the type of person who disses their host nation.

Is this a common problem? Do you have any in your Baja neighborhood?

[Edited on 12-29-2008 by Jeeper]


How about a country that entices you to move here- then does nothing to protect you, your property or your interests?

Even faced with the FACT that innocent Americans are now being targeted for extortion and kidnappings- they run TV ads inviting Americans to visit, they blame the press, they blame everyone for the problems but themselves.

Which is truly the ugly one?

I love my Mexican family and freinds. I have lost repect for them for their not standing up againast- well agasint anything. This is a passive-aggressive culture- which doesn't work when real action is needed. They let Mexico slip away a little at a time- until it is now almost unrecognizable from what I saw here 25 years ago. JMHO of course.

[Edited on 12-29-2008 by Woooosh]

Be very careful Woosh

Bajajack - 12-29-2008 at 01:24 PM

You know telling the truth here will only get you Roasted & Banned.

To be a good nomad ya gotta learn to be a better Brown Snauzer.:lol:

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 01:39 PM

How about a country that pressures Mexico to put an end to illicit drug trafficking, while its citizens buy billions of dollars worth of those drugs?

Howodd

Sharksbaja - 12-29-2008 at 02:30 PM

I get yer point, sorta. Don't blame the citizens for failed drug policies. Only idiots and politicians would continue with the same mindset and solutions that have only worked to make the cartels more powerful.

Now think how you would feel if you trusted no one and were not allowed to defend yourself. Something like a Mexican perhaps?

Of course if you believe the stats that 90% of cops are tainted or too stupid to do the job, would you trust them to be guardians regardless of your nationality?
Quote:

You know telling the truth here will only get you Roasted & Banned.


Hey Jack, who ya talking about? So the only ones left here are liars?:wow:

jodiego - 12-29-2008 at 02:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jeeper
I mean the type of person who disses their host nation.

Is this a common problem? Do you have any in your Baja neighborhood?

[Edited on 12-29-2008 by Jeeper]


Interesting first post. Do you have some experiences on this subject that you would like to share?

DENNIS - 12-29-2008 at 02:42 PM

Treat people like what they are. If they're nice, treat them nice. If they're crappy, treat then crappy. The whole world gets what they ask for.

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 02:46 PM

So, where is the solution? If the government, the police and the military are as corrupt as some think, is the answer vigilantism? Coup? Revolution? Obviously the cartels represented a dangerous potential before that Ivy League guy decided to "crack down". But hasn't it just gotten exponentially worse? And let's just say, for the sake wishfulness, that somehow all vestiges of the drug trade were suddenly absent from Mexico. They are one country. The demand will still be there, so others would fill the vacuum. Face it. There are way too many un, or under-educated, desparately poor people around the world. There's just so much money in illicit drugs.

Sharksbaja - 12-29-2008 at 02:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
There's just so much money in illicit drugs.


:light::light: DING! You just won a GE refrigerator!

(made in Mexico)

bajabif - 12-29-2008 at 03:26 PM

I believe that Fishbuck can solve this problem with a few months of meditation. aaaaahhhhhhmmmmmm aaaaaahhhhhhhmmmmm

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajack
You know telling the truth here will only get you Roasted & Banned.

To be a good nomad ya gotta learn to be a better Brown Snauzer.:lol:


Yeah- I know. Some days I am better at it than others for sure. I wish everything WAS peace, love and fish tacos.

To be honest I'm peeed off. Like a lot of nomads, I planned my retirement here for many many years. I spent eight years looking for the right lot, hired a good architect and built a house over two years that I could die in (on my own timetable though). Now I am pretty much stuck. It's my own fault.

I spend a lot of time defending Mexico, my actions and arguing with relatives who want me to move back to the states for my safety. But I'm a stubborn old goat of a Connecticut Yankee- and I don't go into reverse easily, even if I knew which foot the clutch pedal was under.

This is the only place I have to vent- but you are right. I should do it with the sloths in the off-topic section.

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Treat people like what they are. If they're nice, treat them nice. If they're crappy, treat then crappy. The whole world gets what they ask for.


The problem with applying the Golden Rule in Mexico these days is that they will just steal the gold.

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 03:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
How about a country that pressures Mexico to put an end to illicit drug trafficking, while its citizens buy billions of dollars worth of those drugs?


I saw yesteday that a train was robbed in Mexico. It was carrying 50 gallon barells of the chemical (I can't spell it) that is used to make Meth. You can't even buy more than two packages of SudaFed in the states without getting looked at like yo are a tweaker making yor next batch- but here they just ship the ingredients by train and the narcos know exactly where to stop the train to get them.

The drug war has failed everywhere. Columbia, schools, Mexico, everywhere. Billions of dolaras and thousands of lives ruined over what? Just to blame the addicts in the end because they couldn't or wouldn't stop the suppliers?

sourdough - 12-29-2008 at 05:00 PM

Suggestion: You have a problem with this country, try Canada or move back to the states. It's your choice and slamming your host country serves no purpose. I feel very privileged in being allowed to spend so much time in Baja Sur particularly with the anti-latino sentiment in the states. Even with all the drug problems down here, the same thing is occuring in the states, particularly in the inner-city areas. I CHOOSE to live in Mexico even with wide-spread corruption (??). Seems we have an awful lot of that going on in the US.

Barry A. - 12-29-2008 at 05:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sourdough
Suggestion: You have a problem with this country, try Canada or move back to the states. It's your choice and slamming your host country serves no purpose. I feel very privileged in being allowed to spend so much time in Baja Sur particularly with the anti-latino sentiment in the states. Even with all the drug problems down here, the same thing is occuring in the states, particularly in the inner-city areas. I CHOOSE to live in Mexico even with wide-spread corruption (??). Seems we have an awful lot of that going on in the US.


I think it is called, "calling a spade, a spade". No amount of "hiding" it will make it go away.

Barry

Skeet/Loreto - 12-29-2008 at 05:31 PM

May I suggest something?

Go and look around Baja Sur and find a place as I did in 1968{Suggest La Purisama in the Mountains above Loreto}-No americans or Canadians, or only a few}

Learn to speak Spanish, Respect your neighbor, call them Mexicanos, help the Children when you can,such as Warm jackets for the Winter.
Learn how your neighbors do things, try to learn the "mexicano Way" --Not Today!!

I spent 38 years doing just the above and had a great time, but you must find that place that is not over run with American /Canadian Druggies and ultra Green Sky in Falling Weak minded Liberals. Do not beleive that the Sea of cortez is Ruined!!
Don't take your clothes off in Public! Just be a good Human Being and you will love Baja.

Skeet/Loreto

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 05:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
May I suggest something?

Go and look around Baja Sur and find a place as I did in 1968{Suggest La Purisama in the Mountains above Loreto}-No americans or Canadians, or only a few}

Learn to speak Spanish, Respect your neighbor, call them Mexicanos, help the Children when you can,such as Warm jackets for the Winter.
Learn how your neighbors do things, try to learn the "mexicano Way" --Not Today!!

I spent 38 years doing just the above and had a great time, but you must find that place that is not over run with American /Canadian Druggies and ultra Green Sky in Falling Weak minded Liberals. Do not beleive that the Sea of cortez is Ruined!!
Don't take your clothes off in Public! Just be a good Human Being and you will love Baja.

Skeet/Loreto


That's a great point. Nothing good happens in the border regions of any third world country.

My frustration is that the problems in Mexico cannot be fixed in my lifetime. There isn't even a starting point. 14% of police haven't graduated grade school- so education has to be first. That set's the clock twenty years from now for any improvements regrading security- becasue the stupid can't help the stupid.

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 05:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sourdough
Suggestion: You have a problem with this country, try Canada or move back to the states. It's your choice and slamming your host country serves no purpose. I feel very privileged in being allowed to spend so much time in Baja Sur particularly with the anti-latino sentiment in the states. Even with all the drug problems down here, the same thing is occuring in the states, particularly in the inner-city areas. I CHOOSE to live in Mexico even with wide-spread corruption (??). Seems we have an awful lot of that going on in the US.


Telling the truth is not slamming. The truth ALWAYS seres a purpose. Your comment is right out of the 80's and not relevant to the current course of events unfolding here in Baja.

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Woooosh]

Skeet, I usually agree with what

Bajajack - 12-29-2008 at 05:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
May I suggest something?

Go and look around Baja Sur and find a place as I did in 1968{Suggest La Purisama in the Mountains above Loreto}-No americans or Canadians, or only a few}

Learn to speak Spanish, Respect your neighbor, call them Mexicanos, help the Children when you can,such as Warm jackets for the Winter.
Learn how your neighbors do things, try to learn the "mexicano Way" --Not Today!!

I spent 38 years doing just the above and had a great time, but you must find that place that is not over run with American /Canadian Druggies and ultra Green Sky in Falling Weak minded Liberals. Do not beleive that the Sea of cortez is Ruined!!
Don't take your clothes off in Public! Just be a good Human Being and you will love Baja.

Skeet/Loreto

you say but this is not 1968 and and the people have changed drastically, especially in the last 2 years.

Sure there are still good people there but they are becoming fewer & fewer everyday.

The new generation seems to think Gringos are the cause of all their problems and we are becoming socially unacceptable if that's possible.

All they want us for now is a source of revenue and if we dont give it, they dont see anything wrong with taking it!

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 06:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajack
Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
May I suggest something?

Go and look around Baja Sur and find a place as I did in 1968{Suggest La Purisama in the Mountains above Loreto}-No americans or Canadians, or only a few}

Learn to speak Spanish, Respect your neighbor, call them Mexicanos, help the Children when you can,such as Warm jackets for the Winter.
Learn how your neighbors do things, try to learn the "mexicano Way" --Not Today!!

I spent 38 years doing just the above and had a great time, but you must find that place that is not over run with American /Canadian Druggies and ultra Green Sky in Falling Weak minded Liberals. Do not beleive that the Sea of cortez is Ruined!!
Don't take your clothes off in Public! Just be a good Human Being and you will love Baja.

Skeet/Loreto

you say but this is not 1968 and and the people have changed drastically, especially in the last 2 years.

Sure there are still good people there but they are becoming fewer & fewer everyday.

The new generation seems to think Gringos are the cause of all their problems and we are becoming socially unacceptable if that's possible.

All they want us for now is a source of revenue and if we dont give it, they dont see anything wrong with taking it!


I've heard more than one Mexican in the past two year say the gringos are getting what they deserve for coming here. We were the goose that laid the golden egg- now no one can find enough eggs to make an omelet. They need tourist dollars but hate the tourists- or at least are willing to take advantage of them. Different priced menus for english and spanish- among the many current examples.

Sharksbaja - 12-29-2008 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

Mexican in the past two year say the gringos are getting what they deserve for coming here.


So what do we deserve and for what exactly?? Let me guess,:rolleyes:

Skeet/Loreto - 12-29-2008 at 06:54 PM

So! What do you do? Set around and Cry and Whine and Complain??

Suggestion: Go to La Purimisa, spend some time and see if the people are that way. Or if you really are an Adventure with Balls go to Tambechice or the Isla of San Jose or one of the real Remote places, set up camp and Live an isolated Life.

I think that you can live a Good life right in La paz! Spend some time learn the ways. What a difference than lving in a Country loaded with Drug Addicts, Drunk Drivers, Scam Artists, nekid People on Motorcycles, Football, Baseball every weekend, NASCAR every week end. Seems like the same ole thing.

Get Out Adventure. Try the isolated spots, and there are Plenty left, just look around.


Now if you cannot find your Place Let me tell you where I live after 38 years in Baja Sur.

5 Acres backed up to a large Ranch in the Great Texas Panhandle. Rattlesnakes, Coyotes, Lots of Deer, Eagles, Coons, Possums, Jackrabbits
Clear Skies, Clean Air and Water and I can see for miles.{Course the fishing is not compared to the Sea of Cortez.} but when Loreto got crowded I decided to look for other places.


To each his Own.

ckiefer - 12-29-2008 at 08:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajack
You know telling the truth here will only get you Roasted & Banned.

To be a good nomad ya gotta learn to be a better Brown Snauzer.:lol:


Yeah- I know. Some days I am better at it than others for sure. I wish everything WAS peace, love and fish tacos.

To be honest I'm peeed off. Like a lot of nomads, I planned my retirement here for many many years. I spent eight years looking for the right lot, hired a good architect and built a house over two years that I could die in (on my own timetable though). Now I am pretty much stuck. It's my own fault.

I spend a lot of time defending Mexico, my actions and arguing with relatives who want me to move back to the states for my safety. But I'm a stubborn old goat of a Connecticut Yankee- and I don't go into reverse easily, even if I knew which foot the clutch pedal was under.

This is the only place I have to vent- but you are right. I should do it with the sloths in the off-topic section.


Like you we decided to spend our retirement years in Baja. Vacationed here for 5 years prior to purchasing a lot, finding a builder etc. Almost got the roof on, but noticed too many discrepancies and an real erie feeling of doom looming over our heads. After several site studies it turns out that the soil was not prepared properly and thus is not fit for habitation by peros! To think we traveled all the way down Baja to be screwed by our own countryman.....
true story...

Woooosh - 12-29-2008 at 09:01 PM

With no licensing requirements for realtors or builders (that i can tell)- it's easy to see why scammers exist here. But they exist everywhere in building on both sides of the border- with or without licensing. It's too bad you sunk that much money into a bad builder. Even worse is the poor folks who built and lived in their homes for many years- only to have someone show up and claim they are the real owners of the land and take it all away from them. Even so, it is sad that you lost your hard earned money.

I can't tell you how many gringo realtors I have seen- with American clients in tow- trying to sell them the FMZ concession land in front of our place. Once in a while I go out and point to the FMZ sign and show them a pic of the entire area covered in three feet of water (with breakers)- then ask where they plan to put the driveway or if they were planning to build a marina.

I got out a long

Bajajack - 12-29-2008 at 09:02 PM

time back, with my hide and asset's because I saw what was coming.

I'm not one to wait until the last minute and hope for the best as it seems a lot of you are doing.

The writing is on the wall, if anyone here can't see it, well, woe is you.

It's bad enough now but give it another 6-12 months and you will see something you could never believe could happen.

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 09:21 PM

For decades, the PRI ruled like a politburo. The "blessing" of a participative democracy comes with great pain. I'm not a fan of the conservative Ivy League folks in charge, because I think a period of gentle transition was what was needed. Not cold water in the face. I am opptimistic that the family oriented gentle souls of Mexico will prevail. It's just gonna take time, and involve a little pain.

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2008 at 09:23 PM

After all, look what unfettered free enterprise has done to the U.S. I know too many people who have lost their entire worth because of the greedy people in the markets.

Barry A. - 12-29-2008 at 10:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
After all, look what unfettered free enterprise has done to the U.S. I know too many people who have lost their entire worth because of the greedy people in the markets.


If they have truly "lost their entire worth" they were invested way too aggressively--------and only have themselves and their own "greed" to blame for much of those losses. Markets go up, and markets go down-------tis the nature of the Markets. My own market losses are now about 34%, and see-sawing slowly better.

Free markets work if the govt. will let them, but it is not always pretty.

Barry

Sharksbaja - 12-29-2008 at 11:07 PM

Deep sea trolling most likely, some do bite....

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 12:14 AM

Truth is that Wall Street has become a casino populated by people from business schools who have a sense of entitlement. There is a mantra of continued growth required despite whether it is real, or fanasty. What's wrong with taking a breath and enjoying what you have? That's why I love the Mexican culture and its emphasis on family and happiness.

Jeeper - 12-30-2008 at 12:23 AM

I posted this because ever since we bought property in Baja a year ago I have been searching forums like this one, and I've come across a lot of carping and moaning about how horrible Mexico is. The tipping point came when I read a post on this very forum which surely have must have been written by an impaired person. Why else would someone start a thread about desecrating the flag of the adopted country of many of the members here? Perhaps THAT would be a better example of trolling.

I tried to ignore it and didn't post on the thread, but then I thought it might be worth investigating how pervasive the problem is.

I don't think Mexico is paradise. I know there will be problems, and I appreciate getting information that will help me deal with living there, even if it includes venting about "Mexican time" and other generalizations and stereotypes which may or may not be based in reality. Pointless rudeness is something else, though.

I'm certainly glad to hear that there are people who are happy with their experiences in Mexico. I don't want to spend my golden years surrounded by disgruntled, crotchety old men (other than the one I have to put up with because I'm married to him, lol). I'm going to assume that they are over-represented on the boards, since they are probably not the type to be out enjoying the world, but are at their computers hoping to stir things up.

Sorry about writing a book here, and thanks to all of you who have given me helpful information.

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Jeeper]

Grumps

rogerj1 - 12-30-2008 at 02:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jeeper
I don't want to spend my golden years surrounded by disgruntled, crotchety old men (other than the one I have to put up with because I'm married to him, lol). I'm going to assume that they are over-represented on the boards, since they are probably not the type to be out enjoying the world, but are at their computers hoping to stir things up.
[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Jeeper]


Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to see things clearly!:lol:

abreojos - 12-30-2008 at 07:28 AM

LOL we are all on a run-a-way train and we are running out of track. Be prepared like the boy scouts taught you and hope that after the crash and the dust settles your one of the one's who survived and you get the chance to teach what you have learned so humanity learns from this mistake...maybe.
Wooosh head south if you can cash out.

Skeet/Loreto - 12-30-2008 at 07:44 AM

Jeeper: I am one of the Ole Grumps, being 77 years young with a Triple Bypass in May of this year.

I was and have always been treated with Respect in Loreto except by an American Neighbor.

I started in Baja Sur before the Road opened, I built a mexican Pappla on the Beach, formed a Mexican Corp and helped my mexicano Friends sell their property.

After being on this Board since the Amigos Days I am gegginning to think that it is the Lack of "Real Time" Education that causes the Brains of these Yongsters to operate in Slow Gear__
A prime Example of this is "Caroline Kennedy" who has had all the Money and opporunity to become Educated!!!You Know!

The Youngsters who atke off for Baja and I mean 60 years and under seem to expext everything to be the same as it is in the States, expect the same reactions from People.
If you get qway from the "Tourist Type' area you will find some get living and some Great People for Instance try Constitution {West of Loreto}


Try to live as the Mexican People do with out all the Goodies you are use to in the States.
I am beginning to think that the Younger Generation does not have the Minds to understand anything other than what they have seen on TV or Read in the New York Times.

Skeet/Loreto

The Gull - 12-30-2008 at 09:17 AM

Oxxo - finally a posting about you and mtgoat666

shari - 12-30-2008 at 09:18 AM

HOa Jeeper and whew...really glad you posted again so we have a better understanding of where you are coming from. You WILL gain valuable insights into the ups and downs of living in baja on this board...IF you can sort out the caca from the "real" truths about living in a different culture.
Oh yeah, there are problems, misunderstandings and serious issues to face...BUT...it is the closest thing to paradise I can attain on this planet. Yesterday, I relaxed on the solitary beach, swam, hugged my family and friends (from 3 different countries) ate a fresh seafood c-cktail, waved at everybody in town, gazed at the new moon, planets and stars and went to bed smiling...slept soundly and got up to see off the guys who will fish and spearfish today....like....helllllloooooo....would I be doing this in the great white north...NOT.

Woooosh - 12-30-2008 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by abreojos
LOL we are all on a run-a-way train and we are running out of track. Be prepared like the boy scouts taught you and hope that after the crash and the dust settles your one of the one's who survived and you get the chance to teach what you have learned so humanity learns from this mistake...maybe.
Wooosh head south if you can cash out.


I'm thinking about turning the house over to family members for afew years and heading south to Buenos Aires. Have been vacationing there for years. 1/3 the price of the USA for everything, very much like europe and a Beef lovers paradice.

Moving further down into Mexico is the same as running downstream in a creekbed from a flash flood.

Woooosh - 12-30-2008 at 10:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Truth is that Wall Street has become a casino populated by people from business schools who have a sense of entitlement. There is a mantra of continued growth required despite whether it is real, or fanasty. What's wrong with taking a breath and enjoying what you have? That's why I love the Mexican culture and its emphasis on family and happiness.


IMHO you are correct. We used to value stocks simply by P/E ratios. The dot.com eara did away with that and put an empasis of P/E potential, versus dividsends or results. That's when the gambling began. The market movers run the show now- there is nothing fundamental anymore about he stock market.

On the Mexican family thing- all that is very true- UNTIL you have to leave the security of your home, or until the extortion calls start coming in. I don't even answer the Mexcain phone line any more- I just use a Vonage US line and keep the land line for my DSL service.

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Woooosh]

BajaGringo - 12-30-2008 at 11:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
On the Mexican family thing- all that is very true- UNTIL you have to leave the security of your home, or until the extortion calls start coming in. I don't even answer the Mexcain phone line any more- I just use a Vonage US line and keep the land line for my DSL service.


Many living up here in the border area of Baja do just as you say, not answering the phone unless they recognize the number. Private numbers are never answered and they just wait to hear the persons voice on the phone to decide if they will answer or not. It is a sad reality of life right now up here in this region.

Going back and forth between the border and San Quintin each week I have come to realize that Baja has been split into three states:

Baja
Baja Sur
Border

I can only hope that the border "state" doesn't move further south...

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 12:27 PM

Just curious BG, as someone in the know, where do you draw the line between Border and Baja?

BajaGringo - 12-30-2008 at 12:38 PM

For me it begins at Maneadero.

I have found that attitudes/lifestyles/security issues seem to change dramatically somewhere around there on the south side of Ensenada.

YMMV...

Bajahowodd - 12-30-2008 at 12:43 PM

Sort of like the end of the urban sprawl....

Back to the original comment

Ken Cooke - 12-30-2008 at 01:15 PM

During Baja Grande, I came across a psycho Gringo while staying at a motel in Cataviņa. Sure, we were making noise at 9:30 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., but it a motel management issue. The caretakers wanted nothing to do with us after 10 p.m., and literally "hid out" when we asked about hot water for our motel rooms.

Trouble struck when we were telling each other which room had hot water. Out of room #2 came "Psycho Gringo." He started screaming about not being able to get a good nights sleep, yelling at the top of his lungs in his pajamas. He was also swinging his arms around like he wanted to go "Hands On". We told him we were sorry for the noise as a way of calming his temper, but he just kept screaming and yelling. "WAAAAAA!"

The "Psycho Gringo" was competely out of control, threatening us even the next day - Nomads Sandra & Joe are my witnesses to this.

I consider this "Psycho Gringo" an Ugly American, someone I'd hate to be traveling with.

oladulce - 12-31-2008 at 11:53 AM

Jeepers, I guess I'm confused if "ugly american" to you means a rude, inconsiderate person or an expat who whines and complains?

This board covers the spectrum from occasional visitors, to those who have packed up everything and are entrenched , as well as Mexicanos, and you're going to find all of those perpectives are reflected here as well as wide variations of the environment in their neighborhoods.

Laughing, and "remember how fun and carefree it was when we were camping" is how my husband and I sometimes deal with what a pain-in-the-butt and ridiculous amount of money it's taken to try and get our home built in Baja Sur. Permits and studies, being ripped-off by "professionals", and the lack of information and consistency about the "rules" are much more frustrating part of it than the extra effort it takes to build because we're located in a remote area (we were prepared for that part).

If by "ugly American" you mean those who whine and complain about everyday life in Mexico, I think they are either:
1. just idiots
2. folks who are more vocal about their frustrations.
3. people who have been around for a long time and the thrill (of living in Mexico) is gone for them.

For me, the thrill will be gone when we either run out of money from paying "incentives" to officials to do their jobs, if crime finds it's way down the dirt road and knocks on my door, if we no longer feel safe, or if we can't laugh about it any more.

I think we're prepared for the transition we'll make this year when we go from 3 month per year visitors (20 yr property owners) to full time Baja residents. As long as there are still waves to ride, whales to see, beaches to drive down, fish to catch, and thunderstorms to watch, I've got a long way to go before the frustrations outweigh these benefits and it's no longer worth putting up with the occasional crap.

Maybe some of the "ugly ones" are those for whom the scale has tipped the other way and it's just not worth it any more. Don't hang out with them in your neighborhood if you don't want to hear the negatives when you move down there.

As for Nomad, I've gotten some great referrals, useful tips, good resources, and met some very nice people here. I read Nomad by the topic headings, not by the "latest posts". I look at the photo gallery to remind myself why we're working so hard, I look at the "Baja living" topic, and then scan for other things useful or interesting to me and then carry on with life.

Skeet/Loreto - 12-31-2008 at 12:26 PM

Old Lady;
You express as a person who has developed into well rounded happy Life with a desire to Live and let Live and not 'Sweat the Small Stuff'.

.

Works any where you Live except maybe in Downtown TJ, South Central, East La or some of the places you cannot be yourself at all.

God Bless you and "keep on Truckin"'.

Skeet

HCR - 1-1-2009 at 12:17 PM

I've never been in a "tourist destination" yet, in any country, in which the "locals" didn't have some measure of disdain for the tourists, even though their economy depended upon them.

Barry A. - 1-1-2009 at 02:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HCR
I've never been in a "tourist destination" yet, in any country, in which the "locals" didn't have some measure of disdain for the tourists, even though their economy depended upon them.


Funny-------------I have observed just the opposite. :?:

Barry

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2009 at 03:08 PM

I'll bet you resent the day laborers hanging around the Home Depots in the states.

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2009 at 03:38 PM

Not so in SOCAL. Oh, I imagine that a substantial number may have returned South, but still plenty here to go around.

I do wonder about your charaterization of Mexico as a failed state. Until just a few years ago, it was run, some will say, very efficiently by the PRI oligarchy. How did they do it? Mostly graft and corruption. Many Americans cheered when Fox broke the PRI stranglehold. Gee. Were we looking at democracy? Maybe what we are really seeing is a more representative graft and corruption.

I suppose there is a possibilty of it becoming a failed state. But I would not call it that right now.

If anyone here think's

Bajajack - 1-1-2009 at 05:01 PM

it isn't already a failed state please step outside and take a look.

At least 100,000 soldiers have deserted the Mexican military over the past eight years and joined the cartels.

The mex government has control, barely, in the larger cities, outside of that guess who runs things.

Skeet/Loreto - 1-1-2009 at 05:14 PM

Tasty One; I take exception to your Post;

It is you shaded Opinion with out any Bases of Fact! In other words you are as Full of chit as a Christmas Goose!!

I first went to Baja in 1967 ended up living there for 16 years full time. I drove an Airplane, a Boat, and a Car all over Baja Sur, I mingled with the people and have very good Friends there.
I set up a Corp. Bought and Sold Property, I became involed with helping Children after the Doctors in Constitution saved my Wife"s Life.

You are "Out of Bounds" by a long Shot. I say you are uneducated and unlearned about the Mexican People.

Skeet/Loreto

Sharksbaja - 1-1-2009 at 05:22 PM

Right on Skeet! Deja vu? Never a shortage of Mexico haters are there.

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2009 at 06:03 PM

We are mostly folks who either live in Baja, or spend considerable time traveling the Baja. For the most part, if you read the posts, we go/ stay for the pleasing environment and the people. If you've never been, and are just here to punk, maybe you should go back to the porn sites.

There is no other forum

Bajajack - 1-1-2009 at 06:20 PM

that I know of that has as many indignant, over the hill, wino geezers as this place.

Now that I've dared to state the truth again, expect this post to be deleted shortly!:lol:

Skeet/Loreto - 1-1-2009 at 06:41 PM

And The Farmers Haul another Load Away~~

Tastyone; You are getting fuller by the post.

Where and When have you ever been in Baja??

Now if you can Answer with out evading the Issue.
You dished Baja without any experience- Just like a First Grader.

I have fished and am still fishing The Sea Of Cortez. This past season was one of the Best in 15 years that I have personally seen. Just got back from a trip to Loreto and Constitution.

How about you :Big Mouth" When and Where are go Home!!

Skeet, The ole timer of 77 that could beat your Butt in any Forum..

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2009 at 06:41 PM

Salud!

It's not really a forum

Bajajack - 1-2-2009 at 05:58 PM

when numerous post's, good or bad depending on how you look at it are deleted.

Personally I like to read anything and I surely don't need a moderator slashing what he-she thinks I shouldn't read!!!

Bajahowodd - 1-2-2009 at 09:57 PM

Tastyone has been banned. Can't ay I'll miss him/her. Nothing but a provocateur