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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
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Good job
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We pay in pesos and ask for change in pesos, especially at the places that mostly have American visitors and usually only have dollars.
I have literally seen the person responsible for making our change go to the back of the store/restaurant and have the help turn out their pockets in
order to accommodate our request.
It is just a matter of respecting the sovereign currency and the government that issues it. |
Civics 101
Respecting currency at the expense of inconveniencing the owner and the help.
That'll learn 'em.
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Bajahowodd
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Posts: 9274
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For what it's worth, I believe that the posts on this thread actually deal with several issues, some that overlap, and some that don't.
I recall, back in the day, way back in the day, how interesting it was to see merchants, mostly restaurants, that male staff serving the public,
always having a woman at the cash register to do the money thing.
A wild guess on my part is that given the long standing extreme poverty in Mexico, the folks they hired to work in theor businesses couldn't be
trusted to deal with money.
There has been substantial change since then, but ...
On the other topic that interests me, thre have been a few posts about using the sovereign currency of your host nation. I agree.
Just seems to me that Mexico has not recovered from that calamitous devaluation. Just maybe Mexico should, in some form, outlaw the use of foreign
currencies at point of sale.
After all, I don't expect to be able to use dollars at a gift shop in Berlin.
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DENNIS
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You can spend Pesos in the US border cities in businesses that see the value of a sale as paramount to some nebulous American Pride issue. Should we
be up in arms for this treasonous act of disrespect?
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DaliDali
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Huge, blinking sign in front of Anthony's:
"PESOS FOR BESOS....y mucho mas."
I wonder what that means? |
Raw, unadulterated sex....trust me.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DaliDali
Raw, unadulterated sex....trust me. |
Ohhh....you've been there, eh.
Trip report and photos please.
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Bajahowodd
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Hyperbole?
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You can spend Pesos in the US border cities in businesses that see the value of a sale as paramount to some nebulous American Pride issue. Should we
be up in arms for this treasonous act of disrespect? |
Apples and oranges. Try pulling out some pesos to pay for your meal at El Torito in Ventura and see if that will work.
Just because a relatively small number of merchants adjacent to the border accepts pesos, is vastly different from with widespread acceptance of the
dollar hundreds of miles SOB in places such as Cabo, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
I get the idea that it is good for tourism. But at the end of the day, what does it say about national pride?
I still believe that the massive devaluation of the peso is the root cause of this.
Maybe now that S&P lowered the US rating, there may be some re-thinking. Even though, and I have no crystal ball as to Monday's markets, I truly
believe that what S&P did was far less about the US deficit and far more about what our legislators did as a bunch of monkeys with a football that
really deflated worldwide confidence in the ability of the US to be THE world leader.
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Eli
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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As a small business, ( I mean really small), I will take the money anyway it comes. I prefer pesos, it is Mexico, my life is in pesos, but really,
lets face it, most of my income comes from people bringing $$ down from the U.S.
The last few years I have exchanged at 11 x1, when I went up to 12x1, by the time I exchanged it had slipped to below 11, I lost a little. Oh well,
sometimes you win, sometimes you loose.
Most people have already exchanged their dollars and pay me in pesos. They know that they will get a better rate at the bank. When I am offered
DLLs., Sometimes in my mind, but never verbally I get Hoytey totey about the few people who get testy about the exchange rate when spending their
DLLs. instead of pesos. I mean after all we are in Mexico, if I was to take pesos to a Restaurant or a store in the States, they would think I was
nuts if I tried to pay in pesos.
I was a little flabbergasted the last time I was in TJ and I needed a quarter to open the door at a gas station bathroom, and I didn't have any, I
mean, I thought I was still in Mexico.
Or I get peeved a little that the restaurant next door has it's menu in dollars, and I have to wait at the cash register while they calculate it back
to pesos, it seems so unfair, am I loosing on the deal? (I think she switched the menu back to pesos). Then I remember where my income comes from
and how lucky I am that I can afford to even eat there. This year the money is a little tight, I bet I brown bag it a lot more this season, but hey, I
am not starving, a little discipline won't hurt me, I have no complaints.
Like I said, I am just glad for the money to be moving, it can come anyway it wants, especially when it comes my way.
As my dear ol Dad use to always tell me, "Pick Your Battles", this is not one of mine.
[
[Edited on 8-7-2011 by Eli]
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UnoMas
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I always exchange my dollars for peso's as I don't like doing the hokey pokey with the merchant I am dealing with, the pemex in Jesus Maria broke me
of the habit of using dollars when he stuck me good there and had no option.
That said on the East Cape many merchants, restaurants, vendors and most all contractors and real estate quote in dollars so that makes me the bank I
guess as I pay in peso's, but at least I give them the going exchange rate.
As Dennis said money is money and I bet they like making it in what ever form you decide to use.
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Gypsy Jan
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Sarah,
Well said; and in fact, better than I did.
GJ
| Quote: | Originally posted by Eli
As a small business, ( I mean really small), I will take the money anyway it comes. I prefer pesos, it is Mexico, my life is in pesos, but really,
lets face it, most of my income comes from people bringing $$ down from the U.S.
The last few years I have exchanged at 11 x1, when I went up to 12x1, by the time I exchanged it had slipped to below 11, I lost a little. Oh well,
sometimes you win, sometimes you loose.
Most people have already exchanged their dollars and pay me in pesos. They know that they will get a better rate at the bank. When I am offered
DLLs., Sometimes in my mind, but never verbally I get Hoytey totey about the few people who get testy about the exchange rate when spending their
DLLs. instead of pesos. I mean after all we are in Mexico, if I was to take pesos to a Restaurant or a store in the States, they would think I was
nuts if I tried to pay in pesos.
I was a little flabbergasted the last time I was in TJ and I needed a quarter to open the door at a gas station bathroom, and I didn't have any, I
mean, I thought I was still in Mexico.
Or I get peeved a little that the restaurant next door has it's menu in dollars, and I have to wait at the cash register while they calculate it back
to pesos, it seems so unfair, am I loosing on the deal? (I think she switched the menu back to pesos). Then I remember where my income comes from
and how lucky I am that I can afford to even eat there. This year the money is a little tight, I bet I brown bag it a lot more this season, but hey, I
am not starving, a little discipline won't hurt me, I have no complaints.
But like I said, I am just glad for the money to be moving, it can come anyway it wants, especially when it comes my way.
As my dear ol Dad use to always tell me, "Pick Your Battles", this is not one of mine.
[Edited on 8-7-2011 by Eli] |
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I still believe that the massive devaluation of the peso is the root cause of this.
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All they did was deregulate the Peso. It was stuck on 8 cents forever so they put it on the open market and let the world tell them what it was
worth. It was either that or never see foreign investment.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Thanks Jan, I love spreading the wealth, as it come in, it goes out.
Yesterday, I was at the little organic market, the vendor didn't have change for my $50 peso note, I was spending $25 pesos on apples, his neighbor
kindly changed the $50 pesos for him.
Than I turned to his neighbour and bought some macadamia wafers & a tiny apple pie with the $25 pesos in change I had from my apple purchases.
And then we all laughed as I commented when I handed the change he had given the apple vendor back to him that "El dinero no mas da vueltas",
(the money just goes around).
*On edit, thanks for the correction Bajatripper!
[Edited on 8-8-2011 by Eli]
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
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"El dinero no mas das vueltas", (the money just goes around)
That goes into my list of treasured Spanish language quotations.
Thank you,
GJ
[Edited on 8-8-2011 by Gypsy Jan]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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maspacifico
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Posts: 317
Registered: 4-22-2008
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A tourist, visiting a tourist destination should have no problem using dollars. Most of the restaurants in Cabo, San Jose, Los Barilles, Loreto,
Ensenada, Tijuana, San Felipe, etc. will have their menus in English and Spanish, with the prices in dollars or pesos. If that's where you are going,
use whatever you want.
If you live here, or are going off the beaten path, you would be slightly daft (I have some English neighbors!) to pay with dollars and go through
converting the amount you are paying with people that don't know how to convert, or what the exchange rate is. If they give you a price in pesos
that's what you should use. Easier for you and easier for them. ATM's are everywhere and give a good rate.
Side note....just got back from a week in the US, used my credit card and got the number stolen. They counterfeited the card and tried to use it at
Target and Office Depot...both tries were denied by Chase and now we've got to get new cards. ATM's in Mexico...use the ones at the banks! Not sure
what to tell you about the US...that place is broken.
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: North of da Bear
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Mood: happy to be in Baja
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Last two times my card # was stolen, was in Mexico -- go figure.
As a tourist, I first used dollars. Since I retired and live in Baja for 8 months of the year, I have a Bancomer account and use pesos for all
purchases .
| Quote: |
Side note....just got back from a week in the US, used my credit card and got the number stolen. They counterfeited the card and tried to use it at
Target and Office Depot...both tries were denied by Chase and now we've got to get new cards. ATM's in Mexico...use the ones at the banks! Not sure
what to tell you about the US...that place is broken.
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* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
That goes into my list of treasured Spanish language quotations.
Thank you,
GJ
[Edited on 8-8-2011 by Gypsy Jan] |
I wouldn't usually mention such a minor mistake, but given that Jan wants to add it to her Spanish language quotations, then it seems that accuracy
overides "the usual."
That should be "el dinero nomas da vueltas." My apologies to Eli if this seems nitpicky. |
Thanks Tripper, I was hoping if I had goofed (yet again), someone would step in and KINDLY correct me as you did. As I am so completly none
intellectual, I learn my Spainsh, much as a parrot learns to speak, by immitation, and same as with a parrot, some funny things occur when I repeat
what I think I hear.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Baja California Sur
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I think that Osprey hit the nail directly on the head and it never ceases to amaze me that the diversity of opinion on this subject is so widely
spread. Of course business people adapt to accepting dollars because so many people have required them to over the years. That, in fact, does not
make it any more correct but simply speaks to the widespread usage. Because I do not live in those northern towns that are so widely influenced by
the tourist "invasion", I can only reflect on what happens in the small villages further south. Here, it is sometimes accepted by small businesses to
accept dollars but it is almost always done with a certain amount of feeling of disdain. Larger businesses like Pemex have an exchange rate posted
but the attendants also complain that it causes them extra work when they have to check out at the end of the shift. Medium sized businesses with
banking accounts really get nailed since they have to pay a tax on their deposits of dollars, which adds an extra expense to their bottom line.
Finally, the poor fisherman or laborer has a real problem because he usually does not have a bank account so he ends up having to make a trip to the
bank, waits in line for a long time, and has to exchange the dollars for pesos.
So, yes, it gets done, but it sure seems to me to be an unecessary burden to place on the people you do business with.
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Bajatripper
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Posts: 3151
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Eli
Thanks Tripper, I was hoping if I had goofed (yet again), someone would step in and KINDLY correct me as you did. As I am so completly none
intellectual, I learn my Spainsh, much as a parrot learns to speak, by immitation, and same as with a parrot, some funny things occur when I repeat
what I think I hear. |
We all make mistakes, Eli. Few are as gracious as you when they are pointed out. Hope things are nice in cool in your part of Mexico. We're "enjoying"
that hot, humid mugginess that I'd flee from if I had the cash.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Katiejay99
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I'm not sure if this is country-wide, but here in the Todos Santos area, you can only change dollars into pesos at the bank if you are a tourist.
Merchants or account holders must deposit all dollars into their bank account and the bank takes a "commission" against those dollars. If a local
Mexican wants to just change, say $20 into pesos, they cannot do it. I'm not sure about the exchange booths because we don't have any here. Because of
this, many small businesses and local workers will not accept dollars. I heard that the Mexican Government made this rule to stop money laundering and
drug money - not sure if this is true or not.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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| Quote: |
Hope things are nice in cool in your part of Mexico. We're "enjoying" that hot, humid mugginess that I'd flee from if I had the cash.
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Aren't You going North soon? Or did plans change? I can't imagine traveling North of the boarder, it is so dang expensive and complicated up there.
Here in Coatepec, after paying my rent, I live pretty well on $1,500 pesos a week, for sure I could spend more, and I guess if I didn't eat so rich, I
could cut my expenses a bit more if I had to, glad that I don't.
The weather has been beautiful, at hottest, I would guess mid 80's. There have been some magnificent rains this year. People say it is drier this
season, but coming from Baja, well, I am overwhelmed with the consistencey of rainy nights, flash rains in the afternoons, waking up to rain in the
morning. Today, the sun is shinning and I even got to see a bit of a sunrise coming up over the hills. I miss home and the family, but not the heat.
Oh que, wandered a bit from the theme of this thread, jeje. To bring it back to perspective, I can't imagine anyone would think of using DLLs. to buy
in this town, we are way to far from Gringolandia here. If You leave Baja and travel mainland Mexico, your life is much simplified using pesos,
otherwise Banks everywhere will exchange, but they make you work for it a bit. Or Casas de Cambios in the big cities are pretty easy, less work than
the bank, but usually a few centavos less on the DLLs.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Katiejay99
I'm not sure if this is country-wide, but here in the Todos Santos area, you can only change dollars into pesos at the bank if you are a tourist.
Merchants or account holders must deposit all dollars into their bank account and the bank takes a "commission" against those dollars. If a local
Mexican wants to just change, say $20 into pesos, they cannot do it. I'm not sure about the exchange booths because we don't have any here. Because of
this, many small businesses and local workers will not accept dollars. I heard that the Mexican Government made this rule to stop money laundering and
drug money - not sure if this is true or not. |
To a certain degree this is true in my case. I have to work thru a few hoops to move the few DLLs. I receive, (But I will gladly do it ). Both the restaurant next door and the grocery store will take DLLs, the restaurant
at the exchange in the moment and the store pretty much at the same 11 x 1 that I receive, so I use them there. I have used them to pay money orders
at the bank, than the DLLs. are "credited to the receiver's account and I don't have to deposit them. Because I am an old timer in L.B. and have an
account with Bancomer, "they help me out" in this way.
Oddly enough, in the past the restaurant next door happily received DLLs. as they pay the importer who provides their U.S. ingredients with DLLs., I
don't know if that is still true.
Anyway, like I said before as a very small business, I will happily take the $ anyway I can get it, and I have yet to meet any business in LB.
including the guy who sells juice on the street who would not smile graciously to get paid either currency.
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