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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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These young men are the equivalent to US military and should be shown the same respect, no matter what you think their circumstances are.
If you notice, they have sodas and snacks for sale in their roadside cantinas.
Buy some if you want to "help out".
Don't give them handouts. Show them respect.
Neither should you allow them to take food or anything from your car, ice chest or camper refrigerator. They will take your fresh food-- that is
stealing, people!
Heck, I kicked one soldier out of the back of the rv when he asked me for a kiss-- slammed the freekin' door in his face!
Act respectful and keep these guys professional.
They are there to seek and find drugs and weapons
and apprehend the bad guys engaged in these illegal activities. That's it. No more, no less.
They have to serve in the military if they don't go to college. Its the law. No biggie. They're not abused or starving. The government is set up this
way. Mexico can manage to take care of its own soldiers.
Also, when approaching a military checkpoint after dark, turn on your car's inside lights so they can see who is approaching. They will always tell
you to turn your lights on, so do it proactively. This makes them feel a whole lot safer-- remember, they don't know who you are and are
understandably ill at ease and vulnerable in the darkness... and they're 17 year-old kids with machine guns!
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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ddawson
Nomad
Posts: 103
Registered: 9-6-2010
Location: Hilo
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While headed home from our vacation in August, my fiance and I were going Northbound through the El Rosario checkpoint. As usual, I was asked to open
my campershell so the soldiers could check it. The first bin one of the soldiers checked was the one that held my surfing and beach stuff. The guy
was smiling and friendly, and asking basic questions.
He then pulled out my frisbee and I saw his eyes light up. I asked if he like to play and he said he used to do so on the beach in Oaxaca. Since
the guy was being nice, I offered him the frisbee. He hesitated slightly, but I told him that he could have it no problem. I told him that I had
others at home. He had a huge smile and said thank you very much. He said he and the other soldiers liked to go to the local beach by El Rosario
when they were off and they didn't have much to do. He said they would definitely be using it.
He immediately stopped inspecting my vehicle and told me we could go. He again thanked me and as he walked off he threw the frisbee to one of his
friends. I was stoked because I was free to go without further inspection.
Normally, I do not give the soldiers anything, but this time was different. The soldier wasn't expecting anything and very friendly from the start.
After seeing his big smile when I gave it to him, I am glad I did.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by raymorrone
Thank you all for such awesome advice in my last Forum Q! Amazing!
I hate to bother ya'll but here is another Q:
BajaBlanca pointed out the military checkpoints. We're not afraid at all. we'll have all of our paper work in order and nothing to hide...and we're
always respectful. Theirs is a seemingly hard and boring job.
But I read somewhere that is nice to offer them something - maybe a few Red Bulls, Cokes, or some thing...but only after they look us over. We dont
want to appear like we're bribing them or hiding anything.
Is that something we should plan on?
Thanks again everyone. |
We used to drop a case of soda or water to the boys there in SF. For years. Last time though.......the offering was refused...due to "new orders". Not
sure what...but we do not offer any more.
Should you try......wait till the entire inspection is over with...then make the offering :-)
These inspections are painless. The boys are very professional.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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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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Check first
You had better ask the sergeant in charge of the inspection detail (sargento segundo-two stripes on hat/sargento primero-three stripes on hat) before
you start offering "treats" to the troops.......or those you are trying to help may get into trouble.
It also helps and shows respect if you address them by rank.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_military_ranks
[Edited on 10-9-2011 by bajaguy]
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
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Mood: Mellow
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We have generally enjoyed our encounters at the checkpoints. They always go crazy over the red Hummer, and always ask how much it costs and if we
will trade it for one of their drab green ones. Once they offered two of theirs for ours, I probably should have thought about that more carefully.
At the remote checkpoints we offer packs of bottled water and they always seem to be appreciative of that.
At this one we asked if we could take their picture with the Hummer, and at first the Comandante (the older guy leaning on the passenger side of the
Hummer) declined. But then he got out his camera and asked if he could take a picture of the Hummer, we of course said yes, and then they posed for
us:
carpe diem!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Thanks Terry. I've often wondered...
Another thing....I've made it a point to notice that the Mexican Military doesn't seem to use the salute quite as regularly as our boys....even in
organized gatherings, such as parades etc.
Maybe I'm just imagining this.....don't know for sure.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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If you are really looking for the answer to this question, just watch what the locals do when they go through the checkpoints. Even the big trucks
loaded with stuff stand back respectfully, talk when talked to, but do not go out of their way to try to make it a "Great Day" for the military guys.
I always joke with them, ask them where they are from, and when they ask me if I speak Spanish, I always reply with yes, do you? But I am always
careful to use Usted and speak in proper Spanish which shows respect for their position.
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 792
Registered: 8-7-2009
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Years back when the stops were just starting up,and those poor guys were all out in the middle of nowhere, my wife would save all the Victoria Secret
catalogues, and roll them up with a rubberband. We always had a big box of tootsie roll suckers, and it was always funny to pull away from a stop and
in the mirror, you had these guys all standing around with machine guns on their shoulders, with suckers in their mouths, looking at the catalogues.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I have been asked for a cold drink inthe past at checkpoints... "of course my friend", is my answer (he had the big guns)! Last time was at the
checkpoint near Santo Tomas.
In the remote central desert, after the inspection, I have offered a cold water when it was appropriate, as I would anyone in the desert looking
dehydrated.
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Its not good to give them anything, if i was a soldier i would consider that suspicious, and its also not good to get the soldiers used to get things
from americans.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13238
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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you's consider it suspicious Jesse, even after the inspection ???? We have never given anything and as far as I can recall, we have never been asked
for anything either.
It is not true that anyone is FORCED to go into the military, is it ???? many kids here do not go to college as they work in the coop after high
school. and no one has ever gone into the military from La Bocana, to the best of my knowledge.
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jakecard
Nomad
Posts: 141
Registered: 7-13-2011
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This study goes into some detail about the process of military conscription in Mexico.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/3df9bbab4.pdf
Jake
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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What are you gonna do, be belligerent? Make 'em flip the safetys off? 
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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I also think it gives the wrong message to offer them drinks, treats etc. In Mexico I tip everybody that offers a service ie gas station attendents
etc but tipping (giving a treat) to a soldier that has just inspected my motorhome seems to send the wrong message. After he is off duty I would be
pleased to buy him a drink etc. During our last stop I explained to the soldier that came aboard that our dog was friendly and wouldn't bite etc. He
smiled and made small talk about a picture of our small granddaughter that we had taped to the refrigerator. However, when he went to the rear of the
motorhome he picked up a stuffed toy dog that we had laying on the bed and asked if that one was also friendly!! Great sense of humor!!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Wow! So many interesting responses.
With the exception of Mulegena's, I really retreat back to my first post about the situation.
Somehow, reading through the posts, I almost got the feeling that one could relate to zoo animals, with respect to the idea that one should not
condition them.
By and large, these are kids. They joined the army because, for the most part, their lives would be mired in poverty back home. My take on the
situation is that these kids are not necessarily feeling like they are fighting the good fight by manning these checkpoints. But rather it's their
job, like it or not.
A comment was made about how the Mexicans treat the army at the checkpoints. Granted. But, in my experience, the Mexicans are hassled way more than
the foreign travelers.
So, when we, as tourists have to submit to a few minutes to poking and searching, the Mexicans always seem to have to unload just about anything.
I just feel better when I can have a brief, enjoyable exchange with these kids, and offer them up some Takis and a cold beverage.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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there's a fine line here, part of a slippery slope, but I'm on the no gift side. I think gifts can lead to expectations and expectations to
entitlement problems.
many/if not most of you can relate to problems with immigration in the past. here in Loreto, the INM office was a major offender until several years
ago when a handful of gringos decided to put themselves on the line and say 'no more.'
as one of the handful you can imagine my surprise/reaction when, shortly after the major blow-up/shake down here, I drove a friend around town
collecting his bank receipt, photos, etc. he was thrilled and amazed at the professionalism and ease of applying for a renewal (as opposed to the
past) he asked me to stop at a tienda so he could pick up soft drinks and cookies for the INM guys. as a 'thank you'
I declined and asked him to think about it.
think about it, folks. cookies, cokes, etc lead to 'harder stuff' I'm sure that's how some people learn to first expect gifts, then demand them.
be courteous, be polite, have an enjoyable exchange with the military guys. but in my opinion, handouts just aren't any more appropriate than giving
something to the police officer who (legitimately or otherwise) stops you.
our newbie, raymorrone, asked a reasonable question based on something he had read. there's still a lot of 'information'/advise out there that was
more appropriate 20-30 years ago than it is today.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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I wouldn't typically offer the soldiers anything for many of the reasons posted here, I would probably offer them a cold drink if I had one and they
gave me a thirsty look. We did give 2 of them a ride to Guererro Negro from the checkpoint North of there once. My wife and I were in separate
vehicles and each of us took one. I thought it was fun but it creeped Jill out....she wasn't happy with me for agreeing to take them. If I have cold
water bottles in the cooler I would be more likely to give them to the guys working along the road, they always look hot and thirsty working all day
in the sun......dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Does anyone actually think these soldiers are left out in the wilderness without water??
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bigzaggin
Nomad
Posts: 441
Registered: 5-27-2004
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Mood: way too ites
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On the way down, I don't give them a thing. On the way back...help yourselves! I've handed out playing cards, beers, waters, smokes, magazines, etc.
I've also had them just take things too...but rarely (and usually in the far north). I don't look at it as "training the dogs to beg," I look at it
as, "guys who protect Baja and could use another reason to trust gringos."
When I was much younger, at the checkpoint leave San Felipe around dusk, one of the militars asked me where I was headed, and I said I was on my way
to Valle Trinidad. He leaned into my car and said, "You don't wanna make that drive in the dark. Trust me. Go back to San Felipe, spend the nite and
tomorrow I'll wave you right through."
I took his advice and he kept his word. Trusted them ever since.
Also, speaking Spanish a major plus at checkpoints.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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One time on our way back from SanQuintin we pulled up to a check point and was asked to open the trunk. as I opened it I remembered I had left all my
cash about $600 under the mat in the trunk.We had been swimming earlier and I put it there so I wouldnt loose it. Anyway I jumped out of the car and
ran to the back just as the guys were starting to look under the mat. I startled them pretty good and the Sargent or whoever it was that was in
charge ran over to see what was up. I reached in lifted the mat and grabbed my money and thay all laughed.
I usually dont give them anything. Ive been asked for batteriers and sodas given a few flashlights and bottled water a few times. Ive never had a
problem with the checkpoints.
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