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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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Gas Pump Etiquette
Nomads,
What is the proper etiquette regarding gas station attendants pumping gas....some have suggested they expect a propina....?
I get the bit about making sure the pump is set to "zero", so please don't get into that issue....just want to know about the tipping thing.
I don't really think I should be tipping for that...
Thanks for your replies.
Don't believe everything you think....
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Usually they will clean your windshield, and when they do that I will give a tip....around a dollar. If they clean all of the windows on my car, they
get a better tip.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Well, you'll get a wide range of thoughts on this. I suppose it's a personal preference. I usually tip about 10 pesos per fill up. I figure I'd be
paying much more than that if I had someone fill up my truck here in San Diego.
No sweat off my back....
Zac
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Probably only us older folks can remember the days that all stations in the USA had full service, and, as far as I can remember, "NOBODY" tipped the
guy who pumped your gas.
Now that pretty much all USA stations are prepaid self serve, the serve stations in Mexico are somewhat of a novelty and we look upon the attendant as
a kind of waiter, who deserves compensation for his help.
Just a change of the times.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
Nomads,
What is the proper etiquette regarding gas station attendants pumping gas....some have suggested they expect a propina....?
I get the bit about making sure the pump is set to "zero", so please don't get into that issue....just want to know about the tipping thing.
I don't really think I should be tipping for that...
At the station I go to they not only pump the gas and wash the windows, they check the oil and tranny level then wipe down the entire car because they
know that this GRINGO will tip them $1. I couldn't get this level of service in the US for $5 and even the windows, oil and tranny check would mean
going to full service station and paying $1 more/ gal.
Thanks for your replies. |
Bob Durrell
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Sunman
Nomad
Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
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Only when they clean my windows...generally 5-10 pesos.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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I NEVER want any of the "services" you talk about here, so I NEVER tip. In fact, I am insistant (in a nice, but firm, way) that attendents do not
touch my vehicle.
If I was asked by the attendent if I wanted a "service", and I said "yes, thanks", then I would tip if he/she did a good job (like washing windows).
How much would depend on how I felt that day, but probably 20 pesos, or so for all the main windows on my truck.
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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A lot of the service station employees do not earn a wage from the owner of the station. They only make tips.
I only tip is they clean my windows or ask them to check the air in my tires. I really can see giving a tip for gassing me up..
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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I will tip if they ask to clean the windows, usually 10 pesos.
Ken
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Woooosh
Banned
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How about a poll on this?
I tip a dollar if they clean (or offer to clean and check) my windows and my tires. If they aren't friendly or just pump the gas without offering
services I don't give them anything that time.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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jodiego
Nomad
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Location: San Diego
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Mood: ever hopeful
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Why don't we ask Antonio at Baja Cactus about services, tipping, and wages.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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I don't tip for pumping gas. I do tip for any other additional service. I believe that's what most attendants expect.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I don' know where this idea about not being paid to work in a gas station started. I have a lot of friends who work in the gas stations in Santa
Rosalia and they all get paid. When I asked them about the tipping thing I get a wide range of answers, but mostly they indicate that they usally get
a small tip if they do extra things like wash the windows or air the tires, etc. I give them yellowtail during the christmas season so I think I get
a pretty clear answer on this.
It is interesting how most of the posts are responding to this issue from a "gringo perspective" and it would seem that we might be better off
following the adage of "When in Rome". I have witnessed a guy who stopped with a big motorhome towing a nice 4x4 jeep who looked quite the pompous
ass when instructing the attendant what he wanted. He did tip the guy $5 US but I don't need to repeat what the attendant had to say.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
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Location: La Chorera
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I always tip 10 pesos/one dollar for cleaning all my windows. If they check my fluids/air pressure too I double it. If they just pump gas I give them
exact change in pesos and say thank you...
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Then they aren't employees
| Quote: | Originally posted by lizard lips
A lot of the service station employees do not earn a wage from the owner of the station. They only make tips.
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It's illegal to hire someone to work for tips. Those that do are exploiting their fellow country-men. The lowest of the low.
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BMG
Super Nomad
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Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
How about a poll on this?
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http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=26484#pid2540...
I think the world is run by C- students.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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Who Cares What Others DO ?
Do whatever you're comfortable with and reap the consequences. Taking a poll seems pretty stupid. Who is it that feels like they need to be a part
of the crowd ? Whoever that crowd might be.
I tip WELL North and South of the border. Too well according to many of my friends, but tough scheisse. That's what I do and it doesn't matter what
anyone else does. Except when I'm with them, of course. I've got some friends in San Diego I trade lunch tabs with who are such poor tippers I feel
embarassed. Dining at Chili's one day, they left such a piddling tip that I made up an excuse to go back inside and gave the gal an extra Ten.
I will continue to be one of those who raise the expectations of Mexican service people when it comes to Gringos. Period.
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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Illegal Dave? Ask some of the pump jockeys in Tijuana.........
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burnrope
Nomad
Posts: 214
Registered: 10-24-2006
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I usually tip. What's a little to me might be alot to someone else.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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And the point?
| Quote: | Originally posted by lizard lips
Illegal Dave? Ask some of the pump jockeys in Tijuana......... |
I didn't say it wasn't done...Just that it was illegal.
Maybe it's OK with you that an Mexican employer would balk at paying the pittance that is the official daily wage. Along with no SS, medical or
retirement.
It ain't with me.
Those "pump jockeys" would probably give you an earful.
If it wouldn't get them fired. 
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