BajaNomad - Tipping in Baja

Tipping in Baja

CakedecT - 2-14-2014 at 08:59 AM

I have been here three months now. A few questions about tipping.....the people who bag your groceries? The people taking care of the restroom at Pemex? The people who help you park your car? The guy in the parking lot at Soriana who helps you load your groceries and keeps the parking lot clean? How much is appropriate?

Lee - 2-14-2014 at 09:41 AM

I tip between 10 and 20 pesos. Includes panhandler's too.

Some people have problems with this: I tip 10 pesos whether the Pemex attendant clean's my windows or not.

J.P. - 2-14-2014 at 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CakedecT
I have been here three months now. A few questions about tipping.....the people who bag your groceries? The people taking care of the restroom at Pemex? The people who help you park your car? The guy in the parking lot at Soriana who helps you load your groceries and keeps the parking lot clean? How much is appropriate?

People providing the services you listed above and many more ,Usually are not paid anything( O nada) buy the buisness. The TIP is their total income.
Let your conscience be your guide as to the amount as to the amount of the tip.

watizname - 2-14-2014 at 09:54 AM

I don't think Mexico has welfare. These people are out there trying to put food on the table. If they help you out, I think a small tip is appropriate. Like Lee said 10 to 20 P's. If they ask and you don't want their services, then you don't have to tip.

apple - 2-14-2014 at 10:46 AM

Just a few pesos to the kids bagging groceries. Give 'em too much and soon they'll be making more than their dads!

MitchMan - 2-14-2014 at 11:05 AM

I tip the gasoline guy 5 pesos for cleaning windows on my small truck. I tip the groceries baggers 1% if total price paid for groceries exceeds $100 pesos. Didn't realize that parking guy keeps the parking lot clean, so I will tip him something...even though that is the landlords entire responsibility for keeping common areas in shape for which he is reimbursed by the tenant for common area maintenance that is paid by tenant to landlord.

J.P. - 2-14-2014 at 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apple
Just a few pesos to the kids bagging groceries. Give 'em too much and soon they'll be making more than their dads!

I have never seen a kid bagging groceries in Ensenada, It's normaly Sr. Citizen's :yes:

apple - 2-14-2014 at 11:11 AM

They are almost all kids in La Paz

DianaT - 2-14-2014 at 11:26 AM

We think tipping is different and depends on the circumstances. We usually do 10 to 20 pesos for the grocery baggers, the window washer at the gas station and more for the person watching the car, in the parking lot, who also helps with loading and directing traffic (we can never shut our windows all the way because of the dog or dogs).

Restaurants are where we have had problems with other gringos. It really is their business, unless they are with us. Many times we have slipped people more money when the others have some locked in view that something like 10% is an absolute. This is especially true if it is a rather large group and everyone wants separate checks. We do it on the sly because we don't want to make an issue out of it, but gees, I guess many people have never worked where they depended upon tips for their living.

mcfez - 2-14-2014 at 11:28 AM

The DJ Market in San Felipe usually has a school child (in his/her uniform) bagging for tips. We give them two bucks. Restaurant...I do the same as in the States....good service 15-20%.....bad service is lucky to get a few bucks.

sancho - 2-14-2014 at 12:23 PM

Not exactly tipping, but yrs. back parking on the street
in Ensenada, this 10 yr old kid asked for $ to WATCH
the car while I was gone, I replied I don't need that,
which he pulled out one of the old can openers, said
if I didn't give him $, he would scratch the car, perfect
extorcion

DavidE - 2-14-2014 at 12:36 PM

"We exist on our wages"

"We live on our tips"

Multiple nights in a hotel I can afford - 20 peso note left on the pillow. When I get back, replaced bedding, a mountain of towels, soap, and scrubbed floor (it's the daily dust not negligence).

The little girls in mercado sotres squabble as to which one gets to help me. They fetch items from different parts of the store, find stuff I cannot, wheel the cart around then outside to the car and unload bags into the trunk. Their reward is ten pesos plus -juice- of their choice. A small rule, no colas. The cajeras (cash register clerks) give me warm smiles.

DENNIS - 2-14-2014 at 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE

"We live on our tips"

That's worse than begging. In fact, it is begging. I don't ever remember hearing this, and hope I don't although I know it's true....and that's the problem.
Employers, such as supermarkets, have a workforce that embellishes their business, as well as their bottom line, and refuses to pay for it, transferring the responsibility to the customer. In effect, it's a price raise.
In Mexico, where workers rights are held in high regard, this is no more than a government gift to big business and will continue as long as wages are held dismally low and people are kept needy through the ever raising cost of living.

It isn't just them. There are restaurants in my area that have live entertainment catering to the expat crowd, that won't pay the musicians. They have the balls to put in their advertising that tips are their pay, and the local numbnuts customers think nothing of it.

Gawwwwwdammmm...I repel from this.

oxxo - 2-14-2014 at 02:05 PM

I know a Mexican man very well, about 40 years old. He works as a "wheelchair pusher" at the Alaska terminal (terminal 2) in San Jose del Cabo. He gets paid nothing. He works strictly for tips. He says that most people think he is an employee of Alaska Airlines and is paid by them for this customer service. He is not! I asked him what he thought a fair tip is for his service. He said he would like to get US$5 for a push from the ticket counter upstairs to boarding and waiting with them for boarding and vice versa. He gets maybe 4 or 5 pushes a day because he has to take turns with several others who do the same thing at this terminal. I asked him who the best tippers are. He said Americans aren't too bad. He said Canadians (he speaks English, is friendly, and asks where people are from) are generally terrible and when they tip it is usually US$1. But he saves his greatest scorn for wealthy Mexicans who almost never tip, not even 10p.

We probably over tip, but criticize me if you want. If we see that someone in our group at dinner is stiffing the wait staff, we just quietly hand the staff some more pesos on our way out. It's no big deal.

DavidE - 2-14-2014 at 02:12 PM

One of the few areas I can easily find myself in hot water over is when I suffer the bragging of a "macho" self-proclaimed rico who revels in relating tales of how he screws the "gente" meaning ordinary worker. Forced overtime, just a few hours late showing up with the week's sueldo (cash).

I listened to "Antonio" the "Injinero" brag how he screwed Las Penas, when the well motor was replaced. Bastard bragged about how many homes he owned and how "his price" is what he was going to pay in the hotel whether I liked it or not. He was no engineer. When he was on the patio spouting his macho I insulted him with questions about hydrology which was not even my major. Yeah good old sarcastic me -- when I got through with him his crew was rolling around on the patio sick with laughter. Then I shut down the power and the water. Didn't need to change the locks on the room doors. Just let the windows open at dusk so a few hundred mosquitoes could enter.

When I returned from the states I brought a new C frame farm duty totally enclosed well pump & motor. Stainless steel. Found it on Craig's List in Silver City New Mexico. It took almost a year for the town to repay me for the motor but the @#$%^&! was out of a job forever. Rumor has it he got drunk and threatened to put a contract out on me. Some really bad-asses from Bejuco let him know they would dissolve him in acid if he tried it.

Got to control my temper. I do not do good around macho ricos...

J.P. - 2-14-2014 at 02:36 PM

Quote:

[/quot

It isn't just them. There are restaurants in my area that have live entertainment catering to the expat crowd, that won't pay the musicians. They have the balls to put in their advertising that tips are their pay, and the local numbnuts customers think nothing of it.

Gawwwwwdammmm...I repel from this.

I will not darken their door for that reason and a few more.
:fire:

[Edited on 2-14-2014 by J.P.]

willardguy - 2-14-2014 at 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
I know a Mexican man very well, about 40 years old. He works as a "wheelchair pusher" at the Alaska terminal (terminal 2) in San Jose del Cabo. He gets paid nothing. He works strictly for tips. He says that most people think he is an employee of Alaska Airlines and is paid by them for this customer service. He is not! I asked him what he thought a fair tip is for his service. He said he would like to get US$5 for a push from the ticket counter upstairs to boarding and waiting with them for boarding and vice versa. He gets maybe 4 or 5 pushes a day because he has to take turns with several others who do the same thing at this terminal. I asked him who the best tippers are. He said Americans aren't too bad. He said Canadians (he speaks English, is friendly, and asks where people are from) are generally terrible and when they tip it is usually US$1. But he saves his greatest scorn for wealthy Mexicans who almost never tip, not even 10p.

We probably over tip, but criticize me if you want. If we see that someone in our group at dinner is stiffing the wait staff, we just quietly hand the staff some more pesos on our way out. It's no big deal.

gawddamn the pusher man. geeeze we miss you Hoyt! :coolup:

DavidE - 2-14-2014 at 03:29 PM

On my way for morning coffee across from the mercado municipal in Mazatlan sat a legless man on top of a Mitla blanket. Impeccably dressed including felt cowboy hat. Beside him was a enamel blue cup. He did not beg. I felt it was my "duty" to contribute 10 pesos every morning passing by. His reply "God Will Repay You". He was so clean, well-shaven, with crisply pressed clothes he made me feel self-conscipus

sd - 2-14-2014 at 03:37 PM

I am just a visitor on my many trips. First time I drove down into remote areas I experienced hard workers with limited opportunities. In my car now for my next trip down are several pairs of quality gloves for ranchers I will meet, and I will have small items for kids I see.
Tipping I am generous when I can be. So many great people trying to provide for their families. The Alaska Airlines story educates me, I had no idea. I don't need their assistance but will give them some $$ when I see them.

DENNIS - 2-14-2014 at 04:03 PM

"Gifting" and "Tipping" are different. For me, tipping implies service.
Ohhh....I dunno. This tipping thing has morphed into a "redistribution of wealth" nightmare.

Udo - 2-14-2014 at 04:15 PM

My dos centavos:

The grocery bagger: 5 pesos...I generally only get 1-3 bags.
Parking attendant: normally 10P
Gas station: 5P if only gas pets pumped, 10-20 depending on how many widows get cleaned.
Restaurants: at least 10% if so-so service. Those who greet us as we come in, and provide excellent service throughout the meal: 20%
The Red Cross workers: 10-20P
Firemen: 20P
The last two are when they have a stop station at a tope.

pauldavidmena - 2-14-2014 at 04:25 PM

Thanks for sharing this information. We've been trying so hard not to be typical tourists by doing things like buying our own groceries, and yet didn't realize that there was an unwritten protocol around tipping. Now we know.

dtbushpilot - 2-14-2014 at 04:37 PM

Grocery store, 2-5 pesos unless I have a lot of bags.
20 pesos to the guy at Costco who pushes the cart to the car and helps me load the stuff. 20 each if there is more than one guy (only if I have a mountain of crap)
Gas station 10pesos if they wash the windows or ask me if I want them washed, 0 if they just pump the gas.
Restaurant, 15-20% depending on service an food.
Red Cross (at topes) at least 50 pesos, usually more, never know when I will need them.

DENNIS - 2-14-2014 at 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
Gas station: 5P if only gas pets pumped, 10-20 depending on how many widows get cleaned.

Zero from me for gas only. That isn't service. It's sales.
10/15 P's for windows.

Lindalou - 2-14-2014 at 04:53 PM

The young man that works with Soccoro (veggie lady) in Cantu said to me one day when I tried to give him a tip. He said I came to work and earn my money, I don't come for free money, and yet they always slip in extra veggie for free for me. Go figure.

oxxo - 2-14-2014 at 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sd
The Alaska Airlines story educates me, I had no idea. I don't need their assistance but will give them some $$ when I see them.

SD, there is so much more to this story. My friend, Christian, told me that one time it was his bad luck to get a crotchety, very old American in a wheelchair with several days growth of beard and an obviously soiled tee shirt. He was flying solo. Although Christian tried to start a conversation with the man, he refused to communicate. But Christian is dauntless if nothing else, so he kept trying. Now Christian speaks English, but it is broken and he makes mistakes like I do when I speak Spanish. He said while they were waiting to board at the gate he wanted to ask the man, "Do you have a wife?" Well, Christian was a bit intimidated by this mean old man and a little nervous. It came out, "Do you do your wife?" He said the guy burst out laughing and said, "That, son, is the best one I've heard in a long time!" Whereupon, the old geezer pulled out his wallet and handed him a fresh US$100 bill! Christian said that the announcement for boarding those needing assistance came shortly thereafter. He was shocked to learn the man was booked into First Class to Seattle. He said they parted with a wave and a laugh and the guy said, "Son, I want you to push me when I come back in a month!"

Christian is not looking for charity. He would just like people to know that he works for tips only, he is not on the payroll, just like the parking lot guys at Costco, the grocery baggers, and sometimes, the wait staff at restaurants.

CakedecT - 2-14-2014 at 04:59 PM

Thank you all for your input. I kind of figured the senior citizens who bag the groceries in a Ensenada only make tips. I do like to see everyone trying so hard to make a living, and being new here I don't want to be rude, just assuming everyone is paid by the company like in the U S.

pauldavidmena - 2-14-2014 at 05:12 PM

The last time I was in Todos Santos, I *did* tip the attendant who unlocked the parking lot behind Cafelix when my wife and I were out late. Given the hour, I even tipped generously. :cool:

maspacifico - 2-14-2014 at 05:15 PM

Costco guys can be a pain! I know they want to help but when I have a mountain of stuff to pack in, and have to think about how to do it, I don't need someone handing me the last thing I want to put in....as I'm balanced on the tailgate. I tip them anyway! I would tip them extra to leave me alone but haven't figured out how to do that without offending anyone.

El Jefe - 2-14-2014 at 05:25 PM

What is wrong with redistribution of wealth? Tipping is kind of like taxes, but you get to decide how much you want to pay.

By the way, a waiter once told us that it is common in Mexico for tips to be shared by the entire staff, cooks, waiters, bussers etc. So if your waiter fouled up and you stiff him you are stiffing the cook too.

Bajahowodd - 2-14-2014 at 06:04 PM

Methinks that a problem occurs when there are tourists who have chosen Mexico because it is a cheap vacation.

My feeling is that when you are experiencing a great vacation, you should also consider the folks that are part of making it a great vacation.

Since you are already saving massive bucks because you are not in Hawaii or Europe, double what you think is a proper tip. You will go home richer for doing that.

Word.

DianaT - 2-14-2014 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe
.........

By the way, a waiter once told us that it is common in Mexico for tips to be shared by the entire staff, cooks, waiters, bussers etc. So if your waiter fouled up and you stiff him you are stiffing the cook too.

That is also the rule of the day for the nicer restaurants in the US --- the server tips out everyone else.

Someone mentioned that the well to do Mexicans do not tip well, and that is also true here. Someone close to us is a server at an upscale restaurant at a San Diego Beach and as he says, those who have had a callus on one of their hands at sometime in the past will tip very well if the service is good. They don't stick to any 20% rule; they don't stick to any rule except they pay for what is done well. They understand what it is like to work for a living.

Those who were financially born on third base and think they hit a home run seldom tip well no matter what.

Europeans are often used to countries where the servers are paid a living wage, so tipping is not as important. Canadians, well, I won't go there.

Some things seem consistent in both the US and in Mexico.

Barry A. - 2-15-2014 at 09:03 AM

My daughter, my neice, and 2 of my sister-in-laws all lived nicely in the San Diego area back in the '80's on "tips", and two of them even put themselves thru College almost solely on "tips". They all worked in upscale restaurants and lounges.

College students (mostly men) got on long waiting lists to be able to work in my Brother-in-law's Restaurants in the San Diego area because the tips were so profitable, and the hours so flexible.

There certainly were different experiences for different folks, it would appear.

Barry

DianaT - 2-15-2014 at 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
My daughter, my neice, and 2 of my sister-in-laws all lived nicely in the San Diego area back in the '80's on "tips", and two of them even put themselves thru College almost solely on "tips". They all worked in upscale restaurants and lounges.

College students (mostly men) got on long waiting lists to be able to work in my Brother-in-law's Restaurants in the San Diego area because the tips were so profitable, and the hours so flexible.

There certainly were different experiences for different folks, it would appear.

Barry

Yes, it was like that back in the 80s and before-- not so today. It has not kept up with inflation nor with the HUGE increase in the cost of college.

Adjusted for inflation, minimum wage today should be anywhere from $11.00 an hour up to $20.00 an hour depending on whose statistics one thinks are valid. If that was the case, things would be different with tips added on.

But the members of the lucky sperm club probably would still not tip well. :biggrin:

[Edited on 2-15-2014 by DianaT]

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

For some, there may be a hidden cost for this windfall of day-to-day riches, depending on how open and honest they were in declaring income to the IRS on which Social Security is based.

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 09:19 AM

I think "tipping" is ridiculous. Employers should pay decent wages.

Pompano - 2-15-2014 at 10:22 AM

Different strokes for different folks...as always.

The practice of tipping originated in Europe around the 16th century when the practice of paying extra for a 'tippling' ..having a drink....for a service person started. The word "tip" started to be commonly used for a gratuity around the 1700s in England, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, although Cornell University professor Michael Lind found evidence of a craftsman asking a customer for trinkgeld or "drink money" in German, for an apprentice dating back to 1509, so the practice emerged before its current name.
In fact, the practice of tipping in restaurants probably emerged from the idea of "drink money" -- the idea being that a server should have a drink (or a tipple) at the customer's expense.

Although tipping is now thought of as a distinctively American practice, it was actually an Old World tradition that did not take hold until after the Civil War. (The whole notion of gifting to "inferiors" did not mesh well with the ideals of democracy, writes James Surowiecki in The New Yorker.)

But it grew....

Tipping trivia:

Country-wise, Italians seem to be the worst tippers. :rolleyes:

Germans are near the top tippers, and Americans are always thought to be good wherever you travel.

I've heard the rumors about Canadians being a mite tight with a loonie, but that could be just an urban myth. Go Canucks!

If you don't like tipping, then you could move to Japan, where tipping anyone for an already charged service would be insulting. Even slipping a hotel employee an envelope with a tip is often refused.

A recent survey of 'tipping costs' for a typical New Yorker amounted to $3,300 per year.

But, we can't compare apples to oranges... or Baja to those more-developed countries. This is Baja and things are what they are...mostly, we're talking tipping folks who come from abject poverty and neglect from their government.

I'm sure you'll make your own decisions and judgments according to your conscience.

willardguy - 2-15-2014 at 11:03 AM

the definitive guide to tipping, courtesy of reservoir dogs :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4sbYy0WdGQ

KurtG - 2-15-2014 at 11:13 AM

I always make sure I have some peso change when shopping. The tip to the bagger varies depending on my purchases. Gas stations will vary according to the service but 5-10 pesos, sometimes it is clearly not expected. Even with the motorcycle where I'm not buying a lot of gas I usually tip. My Mexican friends say only tip servers 10% but I tip just as I do at home, 15-20%. While my travel budget is always a factor I never forget that the people helping me have far less than I do. I always leave something for the hotel maid, they are probably the lowest paid workers we come in contact with and likely the most needy.

I am a budget traveler but if tips add a few bucks to my trip costs I willingly live with it.

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano

But, we can't compare apples to oranges... or Baja to those more-developed countries. This is Baja and things are what they are...mostly, we're talking tipping folks who come from abject poverty and neglect from their government.

I'm sure you'll make your own decisions and judgments according to your conscience.

Yes. The difference is clear, but I can't for the life of me excuse an employer his responsibility to pay his employees, as in the supermarkets, merely because he/they make an arbitrary proclamation that they aren't really his employees and work for themselves.
This practice here is running amok, starting again with the grocery stores and spreading to other facets of the economy. I've been hit up for a tip at the tire store for mounting tires which they sold to me to begin with.
It's well known that a tip for the pipa driver, as well as the gas truck driver, just to name a couple, will earn better attention in the future.
This is nonsense, but the practice is spreading.
These aren't tips in my opinion. They're gifts and I see no moral obligation to be giving gifts to a truck driver. The employers love it, but they have to be brought back in line to pay fair wages to employees and quit dumping this responsibility on their customers who, by the way, already pay for these services through prices, again, set by the employer.

It's practices, such as these, that cause unions. What could be worse.

DavidE - 2-15-2014 at 01:27 PM

Tipping? Mordida?

There it is in a nutshell. Employers scrooge their employees who are forced to resort to using tips to exist and Mexican cop shops (transito, preventiva, and municipio) are forced to extort to pay for stuff the Mexican people should insist their crooked politicians pay for. Uniforms, and gasoline.

Who will yell "UNCLE!" and give in first?

Crooked politicians? Wealthy labor exploiters? Waiters? Mordelones?

You got me...

sd - 2-15-2014 at 02:13 PM

OK, I understand. I tip too much. Just back from the barber, them lunch and Saturday early lunch and proper refreshments here in Southern California. Happy workers when I left!

Dennis, you are correct regarding tipping vs gifting. I tend to give to the ones that appear to me as great people.

My travels to Mexico is as a tourist. Not my place to try to change their way of life, I do as I feel is right, lots of good times and great people.

freediverbrian - 2-15-2014 at 02:18 PM

I took a trip to Panama and no tip is expected for service , even in small out of the places. All employes are paid a wage with health care and vaction paid by the employer the service is good, and prices were cheap. I had a hard time not leaving a few dollars anyway.

Udo - 2-15-2014 at 02:42 PM

I can not see anything resembling a union in Mexico...at least not in our lifetime.

The closest Mexico comes to a union are the drug cartels, and maybe some politicians and their staff.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
It's practices, such as these, that cause unions. What could be worse.

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
I can not see anything resembling a union in Mexico...at least not in our lifetime.

The closest Mexico comes to a union are the drug cartels, and maybe some politicians and their staff.

Maybe not:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Mexican_Worker...

http://www.uia.mx/campus/publicaciones/IIDSES/pdf/investigac...

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sd

My travels to Mexico is as a tourist. Not my place to try to change their way of life, I do as I feel is right, lots of good times and great people.

I don't try to change anybody or anything, SD. I tip heavily when service is involved, but I won't be intimidated out of my money when its not.
Tip a water truck driver........when he owns the truck [or not]???
Not me.

pauldavidmena - 2-15-2014 at 03:53 PM

I feel more than a little embarrassed that I didn't tip the gas station attendant at the PEMEX in Pescadero when I last came to visit. In my defense, it was the first time I had driven a rental car enough to require filling up, and I didn't realize that it was customary to tip. He not only cleaned my windshield, covered in dust from the backroads of San Pedrito, but made sure to call my attention to the fact that the pump was at zero before he started to dispense gas. I'll know better for next time - which can't be soon enough! :yes:

DavidE - 2-15-2014 at 03:57 PM

Pre-School COP

Grammer School POLITICIAN

College Graduate UNION OFFICIAL

It's a RACE! Who is more crooked? The head of the teacher's union or the head of Pemex workers union? The suction would rip your clothes off.

Lindalou - 2-15-2014 at 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
My dos centavos:

The grocery bagger: 5 pesos...I generally only get 1-3 bags.
Parking attendant: normally 10P
Gas station: 5P if only gas pets pumped, 10-20 depending on how many widows get cleaned.
Restaurants: at least 10% if so-so service. Those who greet us as we come in, and provide excellent service throughout the meal: 20%
The Red Cross workers: 10-20P
Firemen: 20P
The last two are when they have a stop station at a tope.

A list? exactly how much? How can a person living on SS ever follow in your footsteps?

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho
They're certainly around. Case in point, the Hotel Los Arcos closure.

As well as La Fonda in La Mision.
HUELGA.......STRIKE.....Red and Black flags everywhere.

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
the head of Pemex workers union?

The legacy of La Quina

http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/11/mexican-...

sd - 2-15-2014 at 04:59 PM

Dennis, interesting when considering tipping an employee vs a business owner. I am generous with some owners if they also do all or most of the work involved in running their business. Water truck, not sure what I would do. I see your point.

Lindalou, if on a limited income I think most will understand, you can only do what you are able to do.

tiotomasbcs - 2-15-2014 at 05:04 PM

I also tip with candies from Costco. My favorites in Pescadero. Pauldavid, love Cracker Jacks?! American bubblegum, too!! I know we have hashed this over before but I love seeing the Tips jar in the Pharmacy or grocery store where they don't bag, ha! $5 to 10 pesos is good. If you share some bad Spanish and a smile is even better! Tio

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
If you share some bad Spanish and a smile is even better! Tio

You got it, Tio. Happiness and good humor are the greatest gratuity. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 2-15-2014 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sd
I am generous with some owners if they also do all or most of the work involved in running their business.

Maybe a cold beer, but money? I can't see any justification for that since the owner sets his prices.
Anyway, don't let my arguments affect your sense of generosity.

Another point before I bailout of this discussion;

Does anyone here ever wonder why foreigners in Mexico are sometimes seen and treated like cash dispensaries?
Perhaps it's because we act like that. We do our best to buy approval. What the Mexican buys with a smile, we pay for with cash and see nothing inequitable in that trade.
It, this superior mindset, has a name...."Noblesse Oblige."

This might explain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige

Bajahowodd - 2-15-2014 at 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Maybe not:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Mexican_Worker...
http://www.uia.mx/campus/publicaciones/IIDSES/pdf/investigac...

I find it almost humorous that the Volkswagen workers in Tennessee just voted down the attempt to organize by the UAW.

Volkswagen has 60 assembly plants in the world. Three of them are in Mexico. Every plant worldwide except for the Chattanooga plant is unionized. The VW management has a long history of working with unions, They may be the best friend of unions of any major manufacturer. They actually encouraged the workers in Tennessee to vote for the union.

The goobers voted against unionizing. Go figure.

J.P. - 2-15-2014 at 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

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Originally posted by DENNIS

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Maybe not:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Mexican_Worker...
http://www.uia.mx/campus/publicaciones/IIDSES/pdf/investigac...

The Union didnt win the Vote but they Won the Battle. Volkswagen will have to be ever vigilant in keeping thier policy and wage standard close to or better than Union.

MitchMan - 2-15-2014 at 08:31 PM

If you are wealthy, you should tip a great deal. The wealthier you are, the more you should tip. Maybe the amount of a tip should be determined not by the lack of wealth of the person you are tipping, but by the net worth of the tipper. For example, traffic ticket fines and penalties for legal infractions should be tied to the net worth of the offender...sort of like means testing.

Follow the money.

It's funny how businesses will alter the amount they pay their employees based on the customary level of tips those employees get. Also, some positions that get tips can make a great deal of money and get a decent average hourly earnings; earnings that can rival or exceed the average hourly earnings of a newly credentialed teacher or college graduate in the first five years of their working career.

I once knew a CPA Sr. auditor working for Arthur Anderson who made $2,000 less per year than a cute high school grad who had been doing loan processing for only 6 months during the mid 80s. Before that, I once knew two high school drop out idiot sons of a lumber yard owner in Orange County, CA. The father was paying each of his two sons $125,000/yr. Before that, I knew a very successful architect who provided his idiot son with his own office and a new car for doing nothing and then paid him $8/hr to study for his college classes...to pay him to study in hopes that the kid would graduate from college.

There are a lot of people getting paid way more than they deserve and others who are getting way less than they deserve...that's why we have so much lopsided disparity of income and wealth in the world. It's systemic, insidious, pervasive and ubiquitous.

Then I think again about the really bad situation in Paris where the restaurants mandatorily add a 15% to 20% tip to the bill. You get really rude and offensive treatment by the waiters/waitresses because they know they will get a great tip for sure no matter how badly they serve you. That's not good.

basautter - 2-16-2014 at 06:58 AM

I usually tip 5-10 pesos for various services, some of which are of not much value. A few pesos to me is nothing, but to them, it's a living. Another thing I do is give away unopened food when crossing back into the states. People seem to appreciate this.

beachbum1A - 2-16-2014 at 08:25 AM

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I pretty much agree with Udo except I never tip for gas pumped when no windows are washed - just don't.
Here's a kicker: you're invited to lunch at a sit down restaurant by a gringo friend, the bill arrives and it's approx. $250 pesos. He pays the server and leaves 5 pesos as a tip! I look at him in disbelief and reach for my wallet - pull out a $20p and some change. He can't understand and is a bit peeed! I left it anyway and that opened up a conversation on the way to his car about tipping in Mexico (and how cheap he really was!) Sad, sad, sad.

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
If you are wealthy, you should tip a great deal. The wealthier you are, the more you should tip. Maybe the amount of a tip should be determined not by the lack of wealth of the person you are tipping, but by the net worth of the tipper. For example, traffic ticket fines and penalties for legal infractions should be tied to the net worth of the offender...sort of like means testing.

Mitch........Pleeeeze..........tell me you didn't say this.
You KNOW the great Commie experiment didn't work.
I thought most agreed that tipping was based on quality of service. What happened to that?

bajaguy - 2-16-2014 at 08:47 AM

And those parents are the cause of why we now have an entitlement society..........."I don't deserve it because I work for it, I deserve it because I am here"

Parents, schools and employers should reward success, not failure.

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

........Before that, I once knew two high school drop out idiot sons of a lumber yard owner in Orange County, CA. The father was paying each of his two sons $125,000/yr. Before that, I knew a very successful architect who provided his idiot son with his own office and a new car for doing nothing and then paid him $8/hr to study for his college classes...to pay him to study in hopes that the kid would graduate from college..........

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan

It's funny how businesses will alter the amount they pay their employees based on the customary level of tips those employees get. Also, some positions that get tips can make a great deal of money and get a decent average hourly earnings; earnings that can rival or exceed the average hourly earnings of a newly credentialed teacher or college graduate in the first five years of their working career.

Yes....and probably no. In service industries where tipping is a traditional and expected part of the workers income, the employer will pay minimum wage. The quality of service will determine the variable in the pay scale.
We've all, most likely, had a favorite restaurant, and on the staff of that establishment, a favorite waiter/waitress.
We would request the service of our favorite and when the evening was over and the check presented, the gratuity would reflect our level of appreciation.
Quality of service. That's what we tip for.

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 08:56 AM

How many of you tip at McDonalds. I would hope none, but why not? We have to assume these faceless people behind the drive-up window aren't well off.
Aw,,,,c'mon. Give'm a big fat tip. That would be easier than trying to sort out the difference between sales and service.

susaninlapaz - 2-16-2014 at 09:35 AM

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Originally posted by DENNIS

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For some, there may be a hidden cost for this windfall of day-to-day riches, depending on how open and honest they were in declaring income to the IRS on which Social Security is based.

My first time trying to reply to a post, so don't know if this will work. Decided to follow this entire thread to see who some of the folks at BajaNomad are, and I am enjoying getting to know the cast of characters here...My actual reply is that the US government forces restaurants with 10 or more employees to "allocate" an across-the-board 8% tip income to all wait staff on the TOTAL of food and beverage sales of the business, and this invisible "income" is taxed in addition to reported tips. May seem to some folks that this is "fair" but I am betting most of those folks have never been wait staff.

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 10:04 AM

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Originally posted by susaninlapaz

For some, there may be a hidden cost for this windfall of day-to-day riches, depending on how open and honest they were in declaring income to the IRS on which Social Security is based.

My first time trying to reply to a post, so don't know if this will work.

Works just fine.
Welcome to BajaNomad.

BTW....my reply above was based on the past. In the 60s and 70s, I tended bar in Newport Beach and never paid a peso in tax on tips for 17 years. No one did in those days.
When I approached SS age, I could see how that would affect my monthly payment, so I worked a bit longer at a high paying job to close the gap.

Since then, things have changed as you mentioned.

Tips

dpwahoo - 2-16-2014 at 05:11 PM

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Originally posted by willardguy

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gawddamn the pusher man. geeeze we miss you Hoyt! :coolup:

We probably over tip also. I disagree with it not being a big deal. We have friends we go out with. Now, we always insist on seperate checks. Got tired of them sorting centavos, and leaving a dime or 50 cents on a 30 or 40 dollar bill. got tired of me looking like the bad guy. All the while pretending they dont know what the moneys worth. Two teachers, one a math teacher! :?:

Bajahowodd - 2-16-2014 at 05:53 PM

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Originally posted by J.P.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

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Originally posted by DENNIS

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Maybe not:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Mexican_Worker...
http://www.uia.mx/campus/publicaciones/IIDSES/pdf/investigac...

The Union didn't win the Vote but they Won the Battle. Volkswagen will have to be ever vigilant in keeping thier policy and wage standard close to or better than Union.

They always have, worldwide. That is a fundamental difference between German business thought and US business thought.

Volkswagen, as is the same with so many German companies, welcomes the idea of well-paid workers that are proud of what they are doing.

Bajahowodd - 2-16-2014 at 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
How many of you tip at McDonalds. I would hope none, but why not? We have to assume these faceless people behind the drive-up window aren't well off.
Aw,,,,c'mon. Give'm a big fat tip. That would be easier than trying to sort out the difference between sales and service.

You actually raise a great question. Time was when virtually every employee at the local McDonalds was some pimply faced high school kid. But the demographics have changed. The median age of fast food workers is know way higher.

Wait persons at high end restaurants get huge tips, mostly based on the high menu prices. So it would not be out of bounds to consider that those middle aged fast food workers ought to be given a propina.

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 06:12 PM

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Originally posted by Bajahowodd
So it would not be out of bounds to consider that those middle aged fast food workers ought to be given a propina.

Only if they'll take an out-of-state two party check. :lol:

OK........I'm coming to the conclusion that "service".....good or bad, is no longer part of the tipping equation and has given way to brotherly efforts to share wealth,........and the fix for an economic downturn has been relegated to the hands of "Joe Consumer" just as wages have by some unscrupulous, greedy employers.
Jeeeeezo..........what happened here?

wessongroup - 2-16-2014 at 06:38 PM

Hey Dennis, would you like "cheese" with that ... :biggrin:

DENNIS - 2-16-2014 at 07:30 PM

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Originally posted by wessongroup
Hey Dennis, would you like "cheese" with that ... :biggrin:

Sure, Wiley.......SooperSize it too, while you're at it.
Your tip is in the mail. :lol:

baconjr - 2-17-2014 at 10:38 AM

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I needed the wheel chair pusher at Tj and after tipping him $5 he said I was cheap and the distance was from the ticket counter to luggage check. I appreciated the service but the attitude stunk.

chavycha - 2-17-2014 at 12:31 PM

We ate at a small loncheria the other day, and they included an 18% tip on the bill. Two people, lunch, total order less than 200p in food & sodas. It was on the East Cape but not exactly a gringo center.

Have any of you seen a similar practice anywhere else? Struck me as very odd.

[Edited on 2-17-2014 by chavycha]

DENNIS - 2-17-2014 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chavycha

Have any of you seen a similar practice anywhere else? Struck me as very odd.

Odd is not the word and I'll bet they don't do that with their Mexican customers.

Vote with your feet on that place.

Bajahowodd - 2-17-2014 at 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chavycha
We ate at a small loncheria the other day, and they included an 18% tip on the bill. Two people, lunch, total order less than 200p in food & sodas. It was on the East Cape but not exactly a gringo center.

Have any of you seen a similar practice anywhere else? Struck me as very odd.

[Edited on 2-17-2014 by chavycha]

The East Cape is not exactly a gringo center? :lol:

chavycha - 2-17-2014 at 05:52 PM

Well it's not quite Bahia Concepcion!

dea

susaninlapaz - 2-17-2014 at 06:22 PM

SlyOnce - 2-19-2014 at 12:01 PM

I am with a MX girl, and we live in MX we are not on vacation. By our standards she doesn't give much. But she almost always gives something. 2 or 4 pesos at the grocery market, 5 pesos at the PEMEX assuming he washed the windows. Now and then a few pesos to the guy in the street. Never more than 10% - often much less - when we eat out. Nothing at roadside taco stands, nothing to collectivo taxis. In fact never tip the taxi guys, even regular taxis - get in agree on price and go.

Yesterday I dropped her off at her collectivo to go to work and someone approached saying they were desperate hungry. Most of the people in the taxi gave a few pesos. My girl gave her breakfast.

Often we picnic in the park or at the beach and people come and ask for food. She almost never gives money but she will make just about anyone a sandwich.

She can tell in 5 seconds where they are from in MX, how much education they had, and if they are truly needy or just looking for their next globo just by listening to their accent and words.

LaRed - 2-20-2014 at 03:25 PM

I never had any idea what any of the workers made...until I started asking once I got to know a few of the locals. The coffee barrista, works 6 days/week, 8 hours/day for 800p/week ..roughly $62/week. I then mentioned his tips...said the most he made in a day was $5. That most people tossed in 2-3 pesos thinking that was 'alot'....many didn't tip at all. Or they tossed in small US change which he cannot exchange at a local bank. Not many folks can survive on $62/week. And he too informed me that in many restaurants they receive tips only...no regular pay. So I am very conscious now in my efforts to tip those who have provided services...