BajaNomad - Mordida, some suggestions from the mainland

Mordida, some suggestions from the mainland

vgabndo - 8-3-2010 at 02:41 PM

An expat I know just sent me some interesting and humorous stuff that some may want to add to their arsenal.

Driving in Mazatlan requires steady nerves, quick reactions and an intuitive sense of the lurking idiocy awaiting you around every corner. High speed SUV’s driven by empty headed housewives. Mobile fruit stands that do not adhere the one-way street designations. People that think that stop signs and red lights are for timid fools. Aggressive bus drivers that may or may not be on drugs. I mean the list could go on and on, but if you have spent time on the streets, you know what I mean. But even with all the random craziness, there is one thing that is consistently irksome, the transito. It only took a short time in Mazatlan to realize that the traffic cops are not there to enforce traffic laws.

Driving a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico, is like putting a big red bulls eye on your back window; a prime target for intimidation, general terrorizing and extortion. The number of times you will encounter a Mexican traffic cop is directionally proportional to the distance driven. From stories I have heard about the transitos in Mexico City, I think we in Mazatlan are lucky. The average encounter should cost absolutely no more than 200 pesos and if handled right,100 pesos.

The main tactic that these uniformed parasites employ is instilling the stark fear of a Mexican jail into their selected gringo victim. These cagey cops have crafted the skill to judge your level of fear and play it to their financial advantage. So, when you see the red lights in the mirror, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the fiscal impact.

One of the first rules of driving in Mexico is not keep all your money in your wallet. The wallet with your drivers license should only have 200 pesos of small bills. This way, if needed, you can back up your claim of being completely destitute and offer up the complete contents of the wallet.

A couple of years ago I haggled with a transito until I managed to beat him down to 100 pesos. It required a little groveling and a lot of humor, but I had him smiling when we settled on the price. When I realized I only had a 200 peso note, I gave him a big smile, handed it over and asked for change. At that point his face cracked and he laughed him self into a coughing fit. When it was all over, he made 100 pesos, I saved 100 pesos, and we both had a funny story to tell. The happy-go-lucky gringo technique will work with many of the transitos, but you need to know a little street Spanish and be capable of laughing and smiling through the whole ordeal.

The recent seat belt law has given the transitos another excuse to levy a fine. A year ago I was pulled over and was told I was not wearing a seat belt, even though it was firmly strapped across my chest. Had I reacted out of fear, he would have played the situation to his maximum monetary benefit. However, since I was actually wearing my seat belt, I was infuriated. I discovered years ago that Mexicans cops do not like to deal with crazy people; big hassle, no money. So when I became very animated, while ranting every Spanish expletive in my vocabulary, I saw his demeanor shift from aggressive to unsure. When I ran out of meaningful curses, I quickly gave him 50 pesos and told him it was his lucky day. Be cautious in how you use the insane gringo technique, it doesn’t work every time and could lead to other, more difficult situations.

I had a friend that had a parking dispute with two transitos one evening in Olas Altas. Since the tow truck was already there, it was going to be a $500 bribe to make it go away. When the deal was made the three of them drove down the street to a more private spot for the pay off. At this point, the somewhat inebriated gringo, decided that he really did not want to part with 500 pesos, so he clutched his chest and pitched face forward on the fender of the tow truck and slid to the ground. With his left arm stretched out and his right hand gripping his chest he repeatedly screamed “ MY HEART, MY HEART” The two transitos helped him to the side walk and quickly drove off. No doubt the paper work on a dead gringo is too extensive to even contemplate. This technique is more easily accomplished by some one over 70 years of age.

So whatever the nature of your transito encounter, don't cave in to threats of massive fines and vehicle confiscation, you can usually buy your way out for a reasonable price. The most common technique to initiate the bribe portion of the traffic stop, is to ask to pay your fine right there, to the loyal civil servant. If they refuse to take a reasonable bribe, just tell them to write the ticket and you will go out to Juarez and pay the fine. You can also tell him that you would rather see his family get the money than the city. Unless you are involved in an accident or have run down one of the many deranged fools on scooters, all the cops want is a little mordita. After all they are paid wages similar to waiters and like the local waiters are expected to make their money off the general public. So when you see those flashing lights in your rear view mirror, don't view him as a uniformed beggar, but as just another hard working local seeking the elusive gringo dollar.

mtgoat666 - 8-3-2010 at 03:06 PM

vago:

good approach if you got a sense of humor.

bad approach for ifishy and denny in CdC, they are not Good Humor Men (though they may like ice cream)

monoloco - 8-3-2010 at 04:57 PM

I have found that if you stay relaxed and don't give any indication you are in a hurry, and drag out the process the less you'll pay. It seems like they start getting a bit nervous if you keep them stopped by the side of the road too long.

Woooosh - 8-3-2010 at 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
I have found that if you stay relaxed and don't give any indication you are in a hurry, and drag out the process the less you'll pay. It seems like they start getting a bit nervous if you keep them stopped by the side of the road too long.

so you kind a figure out how much time you are willing to waste waiting them out. I did that once in TJ and the guy lost interest when I said I had nothing else to do and I'd follow him over to the station ("following too closely" was the charge).

Iflyfish - 8-3-2010 at 06:43 PM

Iflyfish is a pragmatist and has his own stories like this. However the issue in CC is not your average 100-200 peso deal, it is much more than that and systematic.

I like the way you stayed present and your suggestion about not being intimidated is just what Lee was saying on the other thread.

I am always interested in learning how people deal with this issue and we have formulated an approach under the thread on Police Extortion in Ciudad Constitution that appears to have embolden Nomads and resulted in Nomads not paying the extortionist cops.

Iflyfish

Udo - 8-3-2010 at 09:14 PM

I really like this one

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Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
... so he clutched his chest and pitched face forward on the fender of the tow truck and slid to the ground. With his left arm stretched out and his right hand gripping his chest he repeatedly screamed “ MY HEART, MY HEART” The two transitos helped him to the side walk and quickly drove off. No doubt the paper work on a dead gringo is too extensive to even contemplate. This technique is more easily accomplished by some one over 70 years of age.

tjBill - 8-4-2010 at 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
... The average encounter should cost absolutely no more than 200 pesos and if handled right,100 pesos...

I've been told that's the same rate in Tijuana. So far have never paid a mordida.

bajabass - 8-4-2010 at 12:21 PM

Each situation is different, but some very good ideas for certain circumstances. During my last confrontation, I simply informed the TJ cop he would take $20, not $80 as he demanded initially, or off to the station, and he gets nada! He was a little miffed, :fire:

grumbled something about p----e gringos, :lol:

and took his p----e 20 bucks, and I went on with my day. :?:

Yes, the CdC situation is different by far, not sure I'll handle that. I have several O.C.-La Paz round trips coming up, so by the law of averages, I will most likely find out soon enough!