BajaNomad - How much do you tip?

How much do you tip?

yukonron - 12-29-2014 at 09:47 PM

We are enjoying our first trip to Baja, or the Baja. The question of tipping has come up for us. So I have come once again to the experts for help. Do you tip, and how much for the following people:
Restaurant server
Pemex gas pumper
Hotel housekeeping
Taxi driver
Tour boat driver
And how about the trio who ask if they can serenade you with a delightful song while you enjoy a delightful dinner?
Any thoughts would be appreciated, I think!
Thanks.
mary

dtbushpilot - 12-29-2014 at 09:56 PM

15%
10 pesos if he washes the window 0 if not
50 pesos (one night)
a few bucks
Depends on the tour, 15% of the ticket price.
100 pesos per song (I appreciate live music)

DianaT - 12-29-2014 at 10:01 PM

Most I agree with dtbushpilot except we always tip at least 20% for the restaurant server ---- but we also know some who only tip 10% no matter what.

Genecag - 12-30-2014 at 08:21 AM

Most tips are appreciated without standard but why not give a little extra and make their day.

Restaurant server 10 to 25%
Pemex gas pumper 2 to 5 pesos
Hotel housekeeping $2 dollars per night
Taxi driver 10%
Tour boat driver 15 to 20%
And how about the trio who ask if they can serenade you with a delightful song while you enjoy a delightful dinner? depends on talent...

DENNIS - 12-30-2014 at 08:28 AM

It's up to you to decide when a tip ceases to be a tip and becomes a gift. In Mexico, it seems some employers exploit the situation and rely on the customer to carry the load of responsibility for them.

Without getting deep into it as we have here in the past, I'll confine my comment to gas stations:
Pumping gas isn't service. It's sales. No tip for sales.
Washing a windshield is service. I'm up to around 20 Ps for that, unless they do it in the rain. That just gets a laugh.

David K - 12-30-2014 at 08:39 AM

When having a meal with a Mexican friend, he was shocked when I left a 20% tip. He told me 'we never tip that much', in Mexico. 10% is standard apparently. If the service and effort is good, then I like to reward them with a nice tip so they are motivated to continue such service. Plus, we are gringos on a vacation, good food is part of the vacation after all.

At gas stations, a dollar or 100 pesos if they engage with you (wash windows, show you calculator if using dollars, etc).

bajabuddha - 12-30-2014 at 08:46 AM

Far's tipping the Mariachis for tunes, I once asked for a song over a romantic dinner, and when finished I paid what I thought was a reasonable amount; the Jefe Musician demanded MORE. It was a very embarrazzing and uncomfortable predicament, ruined the whole ambience. Seems it wasn't a gratuity, but an 'expected fee'. I don't ask for a song any more. I can hear 'em fine at the next table. If it's a stage band and there's a tip jar, I always give generously.

If they come to your table, I suggest asking before they play, "Quanto por un cantar?" and see if you want to pay it or not. If they say, "a le gusta" well, let conscience be your guide. I've played music for tips and worked for gratuities in several jobs in my life, and have been grateful for anything offered, if at all.

woody with a view - 12-30-2014 at 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

At gas stations, a dollar or 100 pesos if they engage with you (wash windows, show you calculator if using dollars, etc).

i'll take the pesos.....

KurtG - 12-30-2014 at 09:10 AM

As per my Mexican friends I usually tip 10% for meals. At Pemex it is 5 pesos if I'm motorcyling and 10 for the car. I always leave a tip for the hotel maid that varies with length of stay. I am of modest means but I know that I have more than the locals that are serving me and the cost of tips is a minor expense in my travels.

On that subject, I have been surprised that at Ojo Liebre most whale watchers don't tip the skipper. Shari has explained to me that they are ejido members who don't get a lot of pay. When there are 2 or 3 of us I always tip 200 pesos.

woody with a view - 12-30-2014 at 09:21 AM

^^^yes!^^^

durrelllrobert - 12-30-2014 at 09:34 AM

I unexpectedly gave that good looking female tailor a large tip while she was measuring my inseam for a new suit at the Men's Warehouse Depot in San Diego. :biggrin:

willardguy - 12-30-2014 at 09:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

I unexpectedly gave that good looking female tailor a large tip while she was measuring my inseam for a new suit at the Men's Warehouse Depot in San Diego. :biggrin:

come on man, this is serious business!

yukonron - 12-30-2014 at 09:48 AM

Very helpful, everyone. Well, almost everyone. Thanks!

watizname - 12-30-2014 at 09:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

I unexpectedly gave that good looking female tailor a large tip while she was measuring my inseam for a new suit at the Men's Warehouse Depot in San Diego. :biggrin:

come on man, this is serious business!

woody with a view - 12-30-2014 at 10:00 AM

Bob, next time instead of a tip give the whole thing.....

bajabuddha - 12-30-2014 at 10:36 AM

(I HEAR HE HAS LEPROSY.....)

Martyman - 12-30-2014 at 12:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha

Far's tipping the Mariachis for tunes, I once asked for a song over a romantic dinner, and when finished I paid what I thought was a reasonable amount; the Jefe Musician demanded MORE. It was a very embarrazzing and uncomfortable predicament, ruined the whole ambience. Seems it wasn't a gratuity, but an 'expected fee'. I don't ask for a song any more. I can hear 'em fine at the next table. If it's a stage band and there's a tip jar, I always give generously.

If they come to your table, I suggest asking before they play, "Quanto por un cantar?" and see if you want to pay it or not. If they say, "a le gusta" well, let conscience be your guide. I've played music for tips and worked for gratuities in several jobs in my life, and have been grateful for anything offered, if at all.

Same thing happened to me. It was offensive.

theotherone - 12-30-2014 at 01:13 PM

Restaurant Waiter: 10%
Pemex Gas Attendant: 5 to 10 Pesos (depends on the actual service)
Hotel Housekeeping: 0
Taxi driver: 5 to 10 Pesos (depends on the actual service)
Tour boat Driver: 0

Trio of Musicians: The price per song must be negotiated before services are rendered, thus 0 tip. Some musicians may rip you off if you don't ask and/or negotiate the price per song...

[Edited on 12-30-2014 by theotherone]

[Edited on 12-30-2014 by theotherone]

dtbushpilot - 12-30-2014 at 02:00 PM

A few years back I was in Ensenada with family having dinner. A 6 member mariachi group dressed sharp asked if we would like some music, "of course" I replied. They played 3 songs, very professional, probably the best I've heard. I was going for my wallet when my dad waved me off and said he would get it. After he handed the tip to the guy I noticed that there was some conversation between them. My dad took out his wallet and gave the guy some more money. Later I asked him what the guy said, "That's not enough" he replied. How much did you give him?.."Five bucks!". Really? five bucks? $.83 each for 3 songs?

He said he gave him another 5, $1.66 each, maybe they can buy their kids some new shoes.

My dad is a great guy but he is very conservative and stuck in the 50's when it comes to tipping.

[Edited on 12-30-2014 by dtbushpilot]

theotherone - 12-30-2014 at 02:21 PM

One of the worst examples of a pure rip-off was about 5 years ago at Rosamar Restaurant in Puerto Nuevo, BC. While I was having lunch with a group of friends, I notice a small conversation, in Spanish, between some musicians and mexican-american patrons regarding the final price of 10 songs. The musicians wanted $100 US dollars for 10 songs, but the patrons got upset & said that they were charging them like a bunch of "gringos". After a protracted conversation, they were able to negotiate the price to about $50 US dollars for 10 songs.

Bottom line, in order to avoid confusion and/or disappointment, the price per song should be negotiated before services are rendered. Furthermore, be specific about the exact number of songs you want to hear and/or are willing to pay for.

willardguy - 12-30-2014 at 02:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by theotherone

One of the worst examples of a pure rip-off was about 5 years ago at Rosamar Restaurant in Puerto Nuevo, BC. While I was having lunch with a group of friends, I notice a small conversation, in Spanish, between some musicians and mexican-american patrons regarding the final price of 10 songs. The musicians wanted $100 US dollars for 10 songs, but the patrons got upset & said that they were charging them like a bunch of "gringos". After a protracted conversation, they were able to negotiate the price to about $50 US dollars for 10 songs.

Bottom line, in order to avoid confusion and/or disappointment, the price per song should be negotiated before services are rendered. Furthermore, be specific about the exact number of songs you want to hear and/or are willing to pay for.

$100! was selena gomez in the band?

Pompano - 12-30-2014 at 02:36 PM

"Guantanamera" once cost me 100 dollars including a tip in Acapulco. I was young, foolish, and wanted to impress my date with my knowledge of mariachi songs. So when the group of players came by our sidewalk table and asked if we liked their music...I didn't know to add that I only wanted that ONE song. They sang merrily away for about an hour before I got clued in by our waiter, who thereby earned his extra tip, too.

I have also scratched my head at an auction...once.

vandenberg - 12-30-2014 at 02:55 PM

Most of those so called Mariachis aren't very good and actually can be annoying enough to ruin a nice quiet dinner. IMO they belong in saloons and not in dinner houses.

Bajaboy - 12-30-2014 at 04:37 PM

nothing like a good juke box :light:

Bajaboy - 12-30-2014 at 04:39 PM

nothing like a good juke box :light:

sancho - 12-30-2014 at 05:03 PM

Posted here yrs.back, was a description of what big Hotel maids
at the Cape make, approx. $5 dolls a day, they work under
some sham 30 day contract so the Hotel doesn't have to pay
benefits,etc. The Gringo' s enjoying umbrella drinks poolside
pay more for 1 drink than the maids make in a day

DENNIS - 12-30-2014 at 05:10 PM

The Mariachis I've always seen and heard, charge by the song and they aren't cheap.

woody with a view - 12-30-2014 at 05:26 PM

let's see, a mariachi band can have 3-4 guys at $5 a song you guys are a bunch of squeaky tight wads. so tight that as your hand enters your pocket you squeak :light:

DianaT - 12-30-2014 at 08:15 PM

One of the problems with tipping in Mexico is the expectations in some places. We tend to tip on the high side for people for whom we know tips are a big part of their income --- we understand that. And even in the states, when my 96 year old mother-in-law take us out to eat, we follow behind her and leave a real tip --- she thinks a $5.00 tip for three people eating is a BIG tip. :-

But, on the other side, in Baja sometimes it gets carried away when some people think they should be tipped for everything --- things that others do just to be friendly or neighborly. They invite you to dinner and expect you to pay for the dinner, or at least leave a big tip. They help interpret a conversation for you and expect a tip. They offer the use of their wifi and expect a tip --- on and on. So at times, one does not know if someone is being a friend or when they are expected to tip.

micah202 - 12-30-2014 at 09:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

They invite you to dinner and expect you to pay for the dinner...

They want you to pay for their their dinner?!

Traditional Mexican custom is if someone invites another out to eat, the inviting party pays the bill. Unless somehow indicated otherwise...

I have trouble understanding how,when,why some think a friendly invitation can become a business contract without putting words to it.
....I once took a friendly invitation to go fishing with some locals at face value....boy were they disappointed when I offered them a few bucks as a ride-a-long

...if I had initiated the outing,I would have known to pay for boat,gas,wear,time and tip :smug:

DianaT - 12-30-2014 at 09:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

They invite you to dinner and expect you to pay for the dinner...

They want you to pay for their their dinner?!

Traditional Mexican custom is if someone invites another out to eat, the inviting party pays the bill. Unless somehow indicated otherwise...

We have seen it where people are invited to the home for dinner and then expected to pay, or at least leave a big tip to pay for the meal. And they are not up front about it --- somehow, the invitee is just supposed to know.

Our experience is that this is the exception, but it happens.

[Edited on 12-31-2014 by DianaT]

willardguy - 12-30-2014 at 09:51 PM

that the strangest thing i've ever heard!

DianaT - 12-30-2014 at 09:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

that the strangest thing i've ever heard!

That is what we thought! It was a real surprise

theotherone - 12-30-2014 at 10:19 PM

If that ever happened to me in Mexico, then I would simply just ask the host to sent me a bill....then I would just merely "think" about paying it.

DENNIS - 12-31-2014 at 06:14 AM

Pay for a dinner invitation? Absurd. It sounds like a "rich gringo tax." It would be an insult if I even inquired of this in casual conversation with my friends.

chavycha - 12-31-2014 at 10:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

Yikes. My reply in that scenario would start with "No soy un cajero automatico." and end with some words that can't be printed here.

I think it's also important to distinguish between tourist-centric establishments/areas, and the 'rest' of Baja.

Sure, if you go on a guided fishing trip in Loreto, or out to eat at a nice place in La Paz, or ask a hotel concierge in Cabo for a favor, there's going to be an expectation of a tip. The service oftentimes approaches the line of a little 'too much' - that kind of over-the-top pandering that just feels like someone's trying too hard. Some people love the feeling of being catered to and fawned over. I don't.

Now, on the other hand, if you go to a little roadside cafe in, say, Vicente Guerrero or Santa Rosalia, you're more than likely going to receive the exact same service as the local truck driver who's grabbing a couple of tacos to go. You're treated as a person and a customer, not as a tourist or Mr. Moneybags. Frankly, that's the way it *should* be, and that's the way it's felt to me in most establishments in Baja.

Barry A. - 12-31-2014 at 10:42 AM

You nailed it, Chevycha!!!

Barry

micah202 - 12-31-2014 at 11:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

.........Chavaya,,,what would you consider appropriate tipping in the circumstance you describe?

.

durrelllrobert - 12-31-2014 at 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

that the strangest thing i've ever heard!

I once invited a goat to dinner and he paid ... with his life! :lol:

DENNIS - 12-31-2014 at 11:25 AM

I can't help but think tipping should be governed by many more variables than a percentage formula.
"Get what you pay for, and pay for what you get,"

Pompano - 12-31-2014 at 11:35 AM

Where's Jack Benny when we need him?

chavycha - 12-31-2014 at 11:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by micah202

.........Chavaya,,,what would you consider appropriate tipping in the circumstance you describe?

For me, tipping is more about a gut feel than a prescribed percentage amount, whether it's in Mexico or elsewhere. I probably average around 15% tip but occasionally will leave something that's disproportionately large, or in the case of abysmal service, small.

Additionally, I believe that with four or five-star establishments, you're paying high prices with the expectation of four or five-star service. That doesn't except me from tipping, but it does establish a different basis for what constitutes 'excellent' service.

I'm much more likely to leave a (percentagewise) big tip at the roadside taco stand with awesome carnitas tacos where the sole proprietor has taken the time to chat a bit, tell me a little about the community event of the day, give me directions to the Pemex, etc. You say the tacos are 80p total? Sheesh, I'd have paid twice that for them in a heartbeat. Okay, 200p should cover it. Thanks, I'll stop by again on my way back through!

[Edited on 12-31-2014 by chavycha]

In this case the restraunt refused to let waitress keep her tip

durrelllrobert - 12-31-2014 at 01:07 PM

A waitress working at a Waffle House restaurant in North Carolina was forced to return a $1,000 tip from the customer last month because the company frowns on large tips paid by credit card. She did get the money later, however, when the customer wrote her a check.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/waffle-house-almost-denies-waitress-big-tip/