BajaNomad

Roadside manners surprise

woody with a view - 11-5-2011 at 11:41 AM

have you ever tried to change lanes in the northbound border lanes? gringos understand. Mexicans are 35 years behind the whole driving etiquette thing.

seems logical it would transfer to the rest of the roadways.....

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 11:47 AM

Mexicans, for the most part, according to my observations, have at least two personalities....one, face to face....and the other, when behind the wheel of a car. It's night and day.
I think it has something to do with the car giving them anonimity.


.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by DENNIS]

DianaT - 11-5-2011 at 11:54 AM

That had to be just an awful experience. I do hope you got the vehicle fixed ok. It does sound like your helpers had prison tattoos, but having worked in a prison, I can say they are not all bad people. (OK, some are really, really bad dudes) Glad they stepped up to help!

Having a vehicle stop suddenly in the middle of traffic IS a terrible feeling --- when it has happened to me, sitting duck comes to mind.

Maybe it is just our experiences, or maybe it is a border thing where the pace of life is faster. But we have seen similar things happen more in the north than in the south.

It seems like in the south whether it is on the main highway or a rural highway, when someone has a car problem like that---in the middle of the road, everyone stops, helps and/or is patient while the vehicle is moved.

Hope the rest of your trip went better!

Totally sympathic for your situation, friend.

Mulegena - 11-5-2011 at 12:01 PM

Glad you and family are alright and no one was injured.

Car-stuff happens, but with people-- well, we each always have a choice in every moment.
The people are easier to understand, maybe not accept, but maybe, just maybe figure out.
The good, the brilliant-- always expect 'em and rejoice and welcome when they do show up.
The bad, try to let their arrows slide off your soul.

btw, what was wrong with your car?
Something almost exactly like this happened to me and my caravanning friend recently.
The car-- we limped along through Baja and made it back, but still no proper diagnosis or fix.

krafty - 11-5-2011 at 12:03 PM

:lol::lol::lol:

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Mexicans, for the most part, according to my observations, have at least two personalities....one, face to face....and the other, when behind the wheel of a car. It's night and day.
I think it has something to do with the car giving them anonimity.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by DENNIS]


Not anonymity, it's power. Being behind the wheel is one of the few times a Mexican is totally in control of their lives and they savor it.

Heavily tattooed Mexican deportees and their American skinhead former cellmates are the least favored group of people in Baja norte. The Mexican deportees are particularly despised and are usually treated better by white expats (like you and me) than their own. You caught them at a good time and day. Everyone needs a day off from causing mayhem.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by Woooosh]

sanquintinsince73 - 11-5-2011 at 12:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Mexicans, for the most part, according to my observations, have at least two personalities....one, face to face....and the other, when behind the wheel of a car. It's night and day.
I think it has something to do with the car giving them anonimity.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by DENNIS]


Not anonymity, it's power. Being behind the wheel is one of the few times a Mexican is totally in control of their lives and they savor it.

Heavily tattooed Mexican deportees and their American skinhead former cellmates are the least favored group of people in Baja norte. The Mexican deportees are particularly despised and are usually treated better by white expats (like you and me) than their own. You caught them at a good time and day. Everyone needs a day off from causing mayhem.

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by Woooosh]


http://youtu.be/JM-MkY4sNho

Mengano - 11-5-2011 at 12:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
I can say with almost 100% certainty that the people honking and behaving rudely were more than likely relatives of "Mengano", the angry Chicano with cognitive issues.


Yeah, my primos were in a big hurry to get to San Quintin before the oysters ran out. Now please rationalize for us why the only people who helped bajaeng were Americans (pochos are Americans), while the friendly Mexicans you boast about were doing all they could to impede him. We are all awaiting your explanation, Carlos. Help straighten out my cognitive issues with a cogent explanation for what transpired.

woody with a view - 11-5-2011 at 12:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
It seems like in the south whether it is on the main highway or a rural highway, when someone has a car problem like that---in the middle of the road, everyone stops, helps and/or is patient while the vehicle is moved.



2 weeks ago whilst climbing the grades south of El Rosario we rounded a curve and there was a Ford Explorer in the southbound lane. just enough time to brake, formulate the 3 kids, 2 ladies and the guy with the 2 gallon gas can standing at the rear bumper. i asked, "tiene mangera?"

"SI!"

i drained 2 gallons out of my just filled tank and bid the family "Suerte" as a deisel cabover pulled up alongside. after telling the driver i gave the family enough to get on their way (wherever that was?) he said, "i only have deisel. your a good man!"

when i said to the thankful driver, "cuanto tiempo aqui?"

i was surprised to here, "tres horas!!!!"

it's time like these......:light:

DianaT - 11-5-2011 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaeng
It took awhile, but after we got to the side of the road and trying to figure out what to do next, ( and praying nobody slams into us, because the shoulder was very narrow and cars were passing within a foot or two ) one of the construction worker trucks stopped by, and asked for our Toll Ticket. They then towed us into Rosarito and we were able to get our car fixed over the next couple days. It was the fuel pump that went bad.

Make sure you hang onto your Toll Ticket. It covers towing. At least that's what they told us. The workers said some people toss their ticket, and then they can't get the free towing.

The split personality comment sounds pretty accurate.



Good information about the toll ticket.

When our fuel pump went it was 5 minutes before we crossed the border, and we were stuck at a busy intersection in a left hand turn lane----just stopped dead. Took a while before some young guys stopped to help --- meantime, we heard lots of horns, lots of bad words, and read some sign language. I sometimes think some people think one has stopped for no reason other than to annoy the rest of the drivers.

Glad you got it fixed!

Mengano - 11-5-2011 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
when i said to the thankful driver, "cuanto tiempo aqui?"

i was surprised to here, "tres horas!!!!"

it's time like these......:light:


So the poor man was being passed by Mexicans on the Transpeninsular for 3 hours before a Gringo gave him gas? South of El Rosario? That is only about 20 miles from San Quintin, where the friendly Mexicans are.
:rolleyes:

bajaguy - 11-5-2011 at 12:44 PM

Also believe the toll ticket covers an ambulance when in trouble on the toll road

Diver - 11-5-2011 at 12:48 PM

I think it might also has something to do with where you are located.
Folks seem to be more friendly and willing to help when you are in the "country".

Once in Mulege I was stranded and passed by many gringos when trying to hitch a ride; I was finally picked up by a mexican businessman who was friendly as can be.

Once on the road into Asuncion with 2 flat tires, 2 CA plated gringos passed without slowing but every mexican who passed, stopped to see if they could help.

Once just south of El Rosario when our F350 stopped dead, we were rescued by a lone gringo and his wife who towed us over, ferried the wife and kids to Baja Cactus and came back to make sure I hadn't backed off a cliff. Thanks again to TW !!

And then there was the time we were stranded in El Rosario for a week with a broken down truck. FDT sent us parts by bus, BajaGringo drove down some parts and tried to help find the problem, the Trotters drove down from Chula Vista to ferry the family back to the US and Roberto came to TJ to help tow our camper and truck across the border.

And then the times we pulled folks from the sand in Los Frailles, in San Quintin and in El Sargento.
And the time we picked up the young soldiers who's truck had died.
And the times we've helped young families and a few older with sand storms, RV repairs, broken down cars and rides to wherever, free fish when we have extra... and free info for everyone.

Maybe it IS karma ??
Must be my wife's good karma !? :biggrin:
.

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 01:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Not anonymity, it's power. Being behind the wheel is one of the few times a Mexican is totally in control of their lives and they savor it.



Psychiatrists disagree. Remove the identity from the Mexican and he acts without social restraints. You'll rarely see a Mexican act as rude and selfish in public as he may when he thinks no one can ID him.
This may apply to many other than Mexicans as well.

Your statement about them being in control of their lives is only valid when they arn't bound by social contracts, and when they are sheltered in their private world, their car, they answer to nobody.
It isn't power per se. It's more self realization.

Osprey - 11-5-2011 at 01:16 PM

I'm with Woosh. Here's an excerp from one of my short fiction pieces about this part of Mexico (A Ride with Nando)

"I don’t think he was thinking of the truck as a tool, as a way to get more work, expand his business horizons. Something in his eyes told me he was thinking of the truck not as a way in but as a way out – a place where he could, just for a few fleeting minutes or hours feel the power, the force of the big thing, the cold beer between his legs, the freedom – that evasive kind of sweat-won freedom to do not what he had to do, what he needed to do, what he was told to do, what was expected of him but a chance to do what he wanted to do – just ride the blue beast."

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 01:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
"I don’t think he was thinking of the truck as a tool, as a way to get more work, expand his business horizons. Something in his eyes told me he was thinking of the truck not as a way in but as a way out – a place where he could, just for a few fleeting minutes or hours feel the power, the force of the big thing, the cold beer between his legs, the freedom – that evasive kind of sweat-won freedom to do not what he had to do, what he needed to do, what he was told to do, what was expected of him but a chance to do what he wanted to do – just ride the blue beast."


Sounds more like a "Harley Davidson Penis Extension" interpretation.

Anyway....I'm glad you're with Woooosh. Will there be a ceremony? It's not legal everywhere, ya know.

sancho - 11-5-2011 at 01:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Heavily tattooed Mexican deportees and their American skinhead former cellmates are the least favored group of people in Baja norte. The Mexican deportees are particularly despised and are usually treated better by white expats (like you and me) than their own. [Edited on 11-5-2011 by Woooosh]





I understand these deportees are guys one does not
want to run into, I imagine they are DESPERATE.
Spend time in a US prison, tossed across into TJ
with a few $ in their pocket

mcfez - 11-5-2011 at 02:02 PM

bajaeng ....good story.

I've had lots of help in Mexico too. Count your blessings that you didnt ask BN norte or BN Dave for help...they don't do volunteer stuff.



[Edited on 11-5-2011 by mcfez]

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 02:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Not anonymity, it's power. Being behind the wheel is one of the few times a Mexican is totally in control of their lives and they savor it.



Psychiatrists disagree. Remove the identity from the Mexican and he acts without social restraints. You'll rarely see a Mexican act as rude and selfish in public as he may when he thinks no one can ID him.
This may apply to many other than Mexicans as well.

Your statement about them being in control of their lives is only valid when they arn't bound by social contracts, and when they are sheltered in their private world, their car, they answer to nobody.
It isn't power per se. It's more self realization.

professor Dennis today! ... thanks for the sociology lesson. Can I combine power and anonymity and make a case for that being the cause of aggressive driving in Mexico then?

( I guess all driving is anonymous in Mexico because no one assumes the plates on your car actually belong to you. )

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 02:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
"I don’t think he was thinking of the truck as a tool, as a way to get more work, expand his business horizons. Something in his eyes told me he was thinking of the truck not as a way in but as a way out – a place where he could, just for a few fleeting minutes or hours feel the power, the force of the big thing, the cold beer between his legs, the freedom – that evasive kind of sweat-won freedom to do not what he had to do, what he needed to do, what he was told to do, what was expected of him but a chance to do what he wanted to do – just ride the blue beast."


Sounds more like a "Harley Davidson Penis Extension" interpretation.

Anyway....I'm glad you're with Woooosh. Will there be a ceremony? It's not legal everywhere, ya know.

Sorry- already happily married and waaay past my prime years anyhow... ;) Dennis the professor and matchmaker today. I like drunk Dennis better.

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 02:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Heavily tattooed Mexican deportees and their American skinhead former cellmates are the least favored group of people in Baja norte. The Mexican deportees are particularly despised and are usually treated better by white expats (like you and me) than their own. [Edited on 11-5-2011 by Woooosh]


I understand these deportees are guys one does not
want to run into, I imagine they are DESPERATE.
Spend time in a US prison, tossed across into TJ
with a few $ in their pocket


then are dumped by the thousands at the turnstyles in TJ. I think most just cross back to the USA within 24 hours or so. The rest are men without a country for the most part. They re-group with other rejects from the prisons and find a way to survive. They usually don't have work papers, not that anyone would hire them. They do speak perfect English and some will prey on the goodwill of the more vulnerable. They aren't all bad, they just made really horrible choices so far in life. It's a huge social problem in every border city where these criminal deportations happens.

woody with a view - 11-5-2011 at 03:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mengano
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
when i said to the thankful driver, "cuanto tiempo aqui?"

i was surprised to here, "tres horas!!!!"

it's time like these......:light:


So the poor man was being passed by Mexicans on the Transpeninsular for 3 hours before a Gringo gave him gas? South of El Rosario? That is only about 20 miles from San Quintin, where the friendly Mexicans are.
:rolleyes:


edit: i guess me recounting this "story" that prolly never really happened as long as you weren't there, right?

what's your point, other than the obvious one on the top of your head! i'm not stating anything as fact, other than what was told to me by a guy on the road to nowhere....

[Edited on 11-5-2011 by woody with a view]

J.P. - 11-5-2011 at 03:14 PM

All the time anywhere I have been in Mexico I have found the Mexican People as a whole to be most helpful of anyone. every time I have needed roadside assistance the AMERICAN plated vehicles will blow you off the road as opposed to the locals stopping to help. If I had to demonize the local MEXICAN People the way some on this board do you would see me blow your doors off as I HEADED FOR THE BORDER

woody with a view - 11-5-2011 at 03:16 PM

yep! the farther from the border, the better the soul-both Mexi and Gringo....

mcfez - 11-5-2011 at 03:43 PM

Gods...I love this Off Topics today. Feisty. Bruising. Mengano'ous.

Oh...whoops...this is General Baja Discussion!

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 03:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Gods...I love this Off Topics today. Feisty. Bruising. Mengano'ous.

Oh...whoops...this is General Baja Discussion!

If this happened on the way to the toll road from San Diego the Tijuaneros on their way home to Playas de Tijuana are the culprits. Very aggressive and don't stop for dogs or people in the street either. It's gotten better since they widened the roads... kind of.

Your toll road ticket is your travel hazard insurance. Some vehicles enter and exit the toll road at exits that do not require payment- so they are not covered. We had our windshield cracked by a rock in the repaving area and they said they would pay for it... but please come back and speak to the inspector about it-- manana. lol


[Edited on 11-5-2011 by Woooosh]

DENNIS - 11-5-2011 at 06:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
professor Dennis today! ... thanks for the sociology lesson.


Psychology. Not Sociology.
Quote:

Can I combine power and anonymity and make a case for that being the cause of aggressive driving in Mexico then?


NO.
Quote:

( I guess all driving is anonymous in Mexico because no one assumes the plates on your car actually belong to you. )


Cute.

805gregg - 11-8-2011 at 06:45 PM

Reminds me of driving in La Paz, I stop at crosswalks for pedestrians, here in Ojai, and everywhere. I like being courteous to people in crosswalks. The drivers of La Paz, all, and I mean all honked at me, fliped me off, yelled, and generally gave me chit. In a hurry to go nowhere. Just a plain lack of civility, says it all. I didn't care I still stopped.

comitan - 11-8-2011 at 07:04 PM

805gregg

Are you sure you weren't in La Paz Columbia.