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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
Saves on the Whine.
Having been introduced to the Mexican way (at Agua Caliente among other places) as a young child traveling to TJ in the '50s, the
sharp manner of daily exchange was well-known long ago and I have NEVER been disappointed, unsettled or angry when
encountering the Expected.
I've always been surprised at those who were caught surprised. |
Exactly!!!!
Personally I never feel cheated when buying, either in Mexico or the USA. If the price is too much (taking everything into consideration) I don't
buy. Sometimes, if I think the price is too low, I pay more, especially for a "service" in the outback.
This attitude keeps my blood pressure low, and my stress level manageable, resulting in a happy-camper. 
Barry
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
David, are there two prices at stores, banks, gas stations, markets, two prices for beer and spuds and TVs and cars and etc? You another one who
thinks he begins to get cheated just after he crosses the U.S. border from north to south? Et tu, Daveeed!
I suppose you would want a Mexican cementero, handyman, auto mechanic to charge the same to some almost starving Mexican neighbor as he would ask of
any foreigner if you really hold that in your heart enough to air it here.
WTF?, over.
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Osprey]
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Osprey] |
You confuse my observation as being some kind of approval for the two price system, it isn't. I am just surprised you seem unaware of its existence,
that's all. It happens all over the world, I bet.
In Bahia de los Angeles maybe 12 years ago, I was charged a price for a tire repair... the next customer (a Mexican) inquired the shop owner how much
for a tire repair and the owner (in Spanish) quoted him a lower price for the same thing. It is just a fact of life, I didn't feel insulted. Now, if I
lived there instead of being a tourist on a vacation, I would have a chat with him perhaps? |
New vistors to baja almost always feel they are being cheated at every turn. In the late 90's I would bring fishermen to the resorts who would want to
save a bit by shopping for beers at the tiendas. They often felt they were being robbed because they were being americans, charged a different price
than the mexicans. When we would go to a restaurant he would lean over the table, wink at me, and knowlingly inform me that there was a different menu
for the others. All this without really without any proof. "It just stands to reason". For a long time visitor it can really be embarassing. For one
thing it spoils the mood as you sit down to eat. What a way to eat - with an air of suspicion.
The whole thing is very unhealthy really. You visit a country where you feel you are surrounded by enemies. There may even be a strain of racism in
all this. Can you spell Don Sterling?
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Skipjack Joe]
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Yeah Skip, you might be right. Whites might just hate brown people. That's probably what make em so suspicious. I always thought the two menus, two
prices was because they gave us Whiteys, gringos, better food at a slightly higher price. Who knew?
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
There is a price then there is a Gringo price... In Hawaii, the same thing but it is called a Haolie price! |
well there is a price, then there's the gringo price. but they're at different stores. a local can eat the same lobster all day
for a fraction of the gringo price, same goes for a bottle of beer. the only difference is the view!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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That all makes for better commerce I suppose. Gringos pay more because they can, the restaurants stay open, families thrive. Makes you proud don't it
Willard.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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Thumbs up Igor! | Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
David, are there two prices at stores, banks, gas stations, markets, two prices for beer and spuds and TVs and cars and etc? You another one who
thinks he begins to get cheated just after he crosses the U.S. border from north to south? Et tu, Daveeed!
I suppose you would want a Mexican cementero, handyman, auto mechanic to charge the same to some almost starving Mexican neighbor as he would ask of
any foreigner if you really hold that in your heart enough to air it here.
WTF?, over.
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Osprey]
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Osprey] |
You confuse my observation as being some kind of approval for the two price system, it isn't. I am just surprised you seem unaware of its existence,
that's all. It happens all over the world, I bet.
In Bahia de los Angeles maybe 12 years ago, I was charged a price for a tire repair... the next customer (a Mexican) inquired the shop owner how much
for a tire repair and the owner (in Spanish) quoted him a lower price for the same thing. It is just a fact of life, I didn't feel insulted. Now, if I
lived there instead of being a tourist on a vacation, I would have a chat with him perhaps? |
New vistors to baja almost always feel they are being cheated at every turn. In the late 90's I would bring fishermen to the resorts who would want to
save a bit by shopping for beers at the tiendas. They often felt they were being robbed because they were being americans, charged a different price
than the mexicans. When we would go to a restaurant he would lean over the table, wink at me, and knowlingly inform me that there was a different menu
for the others. All this without really without any proof. "It just stands to reason". For a long time visitor it can really be embarassing. For one
thing it spoils the mood as you sit down to eat. What a way to eat - with an air of suspicion.
The whole thing is very unhealthy really. You visit a country where you feel you are surrounded by enemies. There may even be a strain of racism in
all this. Can you spell Don Sterling?
[Edited on 5-5-2014 by Skipjack Joe] |
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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I agree, Igor.....in that I think it's just a matter of ignorance & inexperience.
Much of this misjudgment that first-time visitors (to Baja or anywhere) have of locals is based on ignorance at the outset. They are letting
Hollywood, the press, or gossip form their judgments.
Then, like most frequent visitors to Baja, once you get to travel around and meet some locals, you will see that they are pretty much the same as
folks are all over the world.
You-me-them. The sameness is remarkable. Only our imaginations will carry us to worlds that never were.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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A Different Culture in the 3rd World.........
Where the Good life is more of a competitive challenge.
Talking often to a stepson who had moved (he thought permanently) to the Philippines, he would relate the same situation (to a greater degree) making
Mexico seem mild.
A close friend who lived for years in the Middle-East while working for IBM has a wealth of similar tales.
Sharp Dealing is considered normal.
And Fair.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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All of us have dealt with the Gringo price/Mex price,
I let it go if it is of little consequence, but I don't play the
role of Greenhorn Gringo. Back in the day, went into a beer deposito in Loreto, when all beer in Mex was very consistant
in price. Was a weekend, place was full of locals drinking,
put my 2 empty cases on the counter, which the guy
working ther quoted me 2x the price, I told him that wasn't
correct, the music stopped for a few seconds, all eyes on me,
deciphered some Spanish as he explained to anyone
he has the right to overcharge Gringos. Took the empties
out to the truck, was followed by one of the locals, who
apoligized for the rude behavior and directed me to a place
where that wouldn't happen. Got off the bus in La Paz,
the 1st taxi quoted $10 dlls to the Malecon, I knew it was
approx $3, took my bag out asked the next taxi the price
to the Malecon, $3. Was a slightly heated exchange between the 2, the first claiming it ok to gouge the Gringo
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SlyOnce
Nomad
Posts: 262
Registered: 12-26-2013
Member Is Offline
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Thank God I have a young, sharp, college educated and yet street smart TJ novia to go into the stores and buy things.
Also, even if you don't have that, speaking Spanish, dealing fairly, not being a racist or ugly American, nor displaying obvious wealth will usually
get you at least treated fairly. Don't be suspicious and don't overtip.
Keep in mind to the MX we gringos are all wealthy beyond their dreams, they think we can take endless money out of an ATM machine, and they think the
Government pays us if we are out of work.
They also have no idea why our ex wife of 30 years gets 1/2 of the retirement check.
My girl is smart, but some of the things MXNs believe about Gringos blow my mind. They have little understanding of credit, house payments, college
loans, car loans, 30 year mortgage, and so on. Not to mention a pension check.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
"Sancho" posting in a thread about cheating, just shouldn't be ignored
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I'm vague on Mex mythical lore, but isn't sancho sorta
of the benificary of lonely Esposas? As opposed to the
actual cheater? Sly, you do have a destinct competive
advanage over most of us
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalearner
That's the nature of "business". Starting when Adam sold Eve some overpriced vodka so she could make a c-cktail.  And continuing
when Eve sold Adam an overpriced apple-tini  |
And then she charged him for sex.
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