bigzaggin
Nomad
Posts: 441
Registered: 5-27-2004
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Mood: way too ites
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Gringo Tax?
After reading in a few threads here lately about aggressive guards at the El Rosario checkpoint (northbound) I was curious how I'd do there this past
week and, sure enough, dudes leaned straight into my car and started asking for gifts...one even opening my glove compartment and pulling out some
batteries.
Now, since I was a kid, we always used the term "gringo tax" for certain things in Baja - a little ripoff at the Pemex, random stranger claiming to
"own" the bluff I'm camped on (and asking for $5), cops on the road out of Erindira saying I could "settle this right here" - that sort of thing. And
while I know the counter-argument is "do NOT foster those ideas," I usually figure most people down there could use a little help, so no foul. And 9
times out of 10, I've got somewhere to go and little interest in an argument.
Anyway, as the dude is idly thumbing through the dust-coated chaos in my truck bed, we get to talking and he tells me they're not allowed to watch TV
or listen to the radio (though, I seem to recall hearing music blare from a few) and all they do is read (he was a student) and kick a ball around. I
ask if they play cards, he says they love poker, so...we give the guys a deck of cards and head off.
I'm not in any way thinking this will make the reviscion and easier (I rarely have an issue), just thinking, "It's been cold as hell at nite, these
guys probably get way bored and I've got an extra deck."
I just have the overwhelming feeling that being the self-righteous white guy in that situation ("No sir! I am not intimidated and will NOT encourage
such behavior.") will ultimately accomplish a whopping load of nothing and, again, who needs those cards more?
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Fairbanks47
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 9-13-2009
Location: San Diego, San Juanico, San Jose del Cabo
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Mood: Optimistic
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After returning to San Diego in October, I discovered my small Mag lite missing from my center console. I had just used it at the El Rosario pemex. I
recall a pretty thorough search at that check point with the soldier who made initial contact chatting me up real friendly like while another was
"inspecting". All this while I felt I was watching fairly close. Sometimes I think we "donate" but don't realize it. Had never happened before in all
my travels up and down the peninsula. Have always had positive experiences through the check points. I have no ill feelings about this, just something
that can possibly happen. Probably the soldier is getting more use of it.
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Lobsterman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1815
Registered: 10-7-2008
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I agree with your "Gringo Tax" philosophy. In my 30 years of camping and fishing baja, I'd always bring along extra stuff from the house that had
value but I really did not need. I'd give that stuff away along the way as well as have an iced cooler full of beer, soft drinks and water for all to
sample. I do not like confrontation with someone who could make my life miserable.
As far a the $ graf I'd bring along extra of that also. Who wants to be dead right or spend mucho more $ trying to get out of jail for some trumped
up charge.
They take much, much, much, much less than those damn stateside taxing bandit democrats do from me.
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Some hints
Here are a couple of hints to help out at military checkpoints....
Learn or print out the Mexican military rank structure/insignia......and address the troops by rank:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_ranks_and_insignia_of_Mexi...
If you are a veteran, dig out your old camo shirt with your rank, unit insignia and branch of service nametape and have it hanging in the window or
draped "casually" over the seat......or a camo helmet/ditty bag with either a unit patch or branch of service patch on it.....
.....and pull over after the inspection in the area of the checkpoint and conduct a thourough inventory.......
If there any problems, immediately ask to see the Commandante or Sargento Primero..............
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estebanis
Nomad
Posts: 279
Registered: 11-11-2002
Location: Stuck North of the Border. They won\'t pay me
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
I want to retire soooooooo baaddddd!!!! I am working on a double dip plan right now so I can at least work only part time.
Esteban
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by estebanis
| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
I want to retire soooooooo baaddddd!!!! I am working on a double dip plan right now so I can at least work only part time.
Esteban |
1 month, 30 days, 5 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
They take much, much, much, much less than those damn stateside taxing bandit democrats do from me.
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
I hope you are not accepting that damn socialist Social Security payment. Stand up for what is right!
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Brian L
Nomad
Posts: 250
Registered: 6-21-2010
Location: Alpine, CA
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Mood: No Bad Days
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
They take much, much, much, much less than those damn stateside taxing bandit democrats do from me.
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
I hope you are not accepting that damn socialist Social Security payment. Stand up for what is right! |
LOL. I'm sure most anti-tax folks are highly selective when it comes to what comes to them...
Brian
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
I hope you are not accepting that damn socialist Social Security payment. Stand up for what is right! |
I have to imagine I would agree with that, but for the fact Social Security is a program I was forced to participate in. I was given no choice except
to work under the table and ignore my tax debt.
Screwed if you do....Screwed if you don't.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I have for for kicks asked for Price Mexicana not
Gringo price, Gringo Tax/ 2 Tier price system, we are
not alone though, often the Mex nationals returning down the
mainland from the US for Christmas, have at least in the past,
been met with trumped up Mordida/Tax at checkpoints.
Not exactly your point, but back in the day, walking into
a deposito in Loreto for my daily case, I was met with a
double price quote from the owner, having been in Baja
for a while, I told him the price was incorrect, he then
in Spanish tried to validate his rip off to locals standing by,
my Spanish was enough to understand he was saying
it is OK to rip off a Gringo, I picked up the empty
case and walked out, a local followed me out,
apologizing for the rude owner and told me where I could get the correct price
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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I have never had any theft problems with personnel at Military checkpoints in all my years of traveling throughout the whole country, Baja included. I
usually travel alone and with my big dog.
I speak with them in Spanish and put them at ease about the dog. I even voluntarily take him out of the vehicle, on leash. The soldados get chatty and
seem to enjoy the interchange. They talk about the dog. They ask questions about items that interest them including various RVs and trailers I have
had. During infrequent occasions, they will ask me if they could have something they see that they want.
For example, I carry a diver's abalone knife with a serrated, six inch blade, right beside the driver's seat. It has a compass at the top of the
handle. It is obvious that I carry it for protection, but they have never tried to take it away from me or even comment on it, unless they want it
personally. As I said, some have thought that is was very cool, and they really wanted it. During those times I was firm. No! Sorry. I need it. I will
often give them sodas or bottled water.
The only negative experience was to a girl friend's Chihuahua. We were in Baja. I think I recall it was at checkpoint at a toll booth between Rosorita
and TJ. Anyway, one of the soldiers flicked his finger and popped the little dog in the nose. My girlfriend was holding the dog. I did not see it
happen, but she was obviously furious. We continued on without making an issue of it though. Making a scene about it could possibly make trouble for
us, or so we thought at the time.
Overall, my experience has been almost always positive. If you can BS in Spanish, it will gain you respect in their eyes.
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Sweetwater
Senior Nomad
Posts: 915
Registered: 11-26-2010
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Mood: chilly today hot tomale
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
Dennis
15 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes to retirement.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
Took the pension May 1, 2010....still work 4 days per month Per Diem to cover the Health Care Insurance....yikes, that stuff sux....
Everbody\'s preachin\' at me that we all wanna git to heaven, trouble is, nobody wants to die to git there.-BB King
Reality is what does not go away when you stop believing in it. -Philip K Dick
Nothing is worse than active ignorance. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe(1749-1832, German writer, artist and politician)
When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I\'ve never tried before. - Mae West
Experience is what keeps a man who makes the same mistake twice from admitting it the third time around.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
They take much, much, much, much less than those damn stateside taxing bandit democrats do from me.
[Edited on 1-12-2011 by Lobsterman] |
How recalcitrant of me. I forgot to have this conversation with the military guys in Baja. 
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