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yukonron
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 12-15-2014
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How much do you tip?
We are enjoying our first trip to Baja, or the Baja. The question of tipping has come up for us. So I have come once again to the experts for help.
Do you tip, and how much for the following people:
Restaurant server
Pemex gas pumper
Hotel housekeeping
Taxi driver
Tour boat driver
And how about the trio who ask if they can serenade you with a delightful song while you enjoy a delightful dinner?
Any thoughts would be appreciated, I think!
Thanks.
mary
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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15%
10 pesos if he washes the window 0 if not
50 pesos (one night)
a few bucks
Depends on the tour, 15% of the ticket price.
100 pesos per song (I appreciate live music)
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Most I agree with dtbushpilot except we always tip at least 20% for the restaurant server ---- but we also know some who only tip 10% no matter what.
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Genecag
Nomad
Posts: 118
Registered: 6-13-2011
Location: San Diego, TJ, La Paz
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Most tips are appreciated without standard but why not give a little extra and make their day.
Restaurant server 10 to 25%
Pemex gas pumper 2 to 5 pesos
Hotel housekeeping $2 dollars per night
Taxi driver 10%
Tour boat driver 15 to 20%
And how about the trio who ask if they can serenade you with a delightful song while you enjoy a delightful dinner? depends on talent...
Make it a Great Day!!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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It's up to you to decide when a tip ceases to be a tip and becomes a gift. In Mexico, it seems some employers exploit the situation and rely on the
customer to carry the load of responsibility for them.
Without getting deep into it as we have here in the past, I'll confine my comment to gas stations:
Pumping gas isn't service. It's sales. No tip for sales.
Washing a windshield is service. I'm up to around 20 Ps for that, unless they do it in the rain. That just gets a laugh.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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When having a meal with a Mexican friend, he was shocked when I left a 20% tip. He told me 'we never tip that much', in Mexico. 10% is standard
apparently. If the service and effort is good, then I like to reward them with a nice tip so they are motivated to continue such service. Plus, we are
gringos on a vacation, good food is part of the vacation after all.
At gas stations, a dollar or 100 pesos if they engage with you (wash windows, show you calculator if using dollars, etc).
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bajabuddha
Banned
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Far's tipping the Mariachis for tunes, I once asked for a song over a romantic dinner, and when finished I paid what I thought was a reasonable
amount; the Jefe Musician demanded MORE. It was a very embarrazzing and uncomfortable predicament, ruined the whole ambience. Seems it wasn't a
gratuity, but an 'expected fee'. I don't ask for a song any more. I can hear 'em fine at the next table. If it's a stage band and there's a tip
jar, I always give generously.
If they come to your table, I suggest asking before they play, "Quanto por un cantar?" and see if you want to pay it or not. If they say, "a le
gusta" well, let conscience be your guide. I've played music for tips and worked for gratuities in several jobs in my life, and have been grateful
for anything offered, if at all.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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woody with a view
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  |
At gas stations, a dollar or 100 pesos if they engage with you (wash windows, show you calculator if using dollars, etc). |
i'll take the pesos.....
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KurtG
Super Nomad
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Location: California Central Coast
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As per my Mexican friends I usually tip 10% for meals. At Pemex it is 5 pesos if I'm motorcyling and 10 for the car. I always leave a tip for the
hotel maid that varies with length of stay. I am of modest means but I know that I have more than the locals that are serving me and the cost of tips
is a minor expense in my travels.
On that subject, I have been surprised that at Ojo Liebre most whale watchers don't tip the skipper. Shari has explained to me that they are ejido
members who don't get a lot of pay. When there are 2 or 3 of us I always tip 200 pesos.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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^^^yes!^^^
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
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I unexpectedly gave that good looking female tailor a large tip while she was measuring my inseam for a new suit at the Men's Warehouse Depot in San
Diego. 
Bob Durrell
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert | | I unexpectedly gave that good looking female tailor a large tip while she was measuring my inseam for a new suit at the Men's Warehouse Depot in San
Diego. |
come on man, this is serious business!
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yukonron
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 12-15-2014
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Very helpful, everyone. Well, almost everyone. Thanks!
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watizname
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 8-7-2009
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I yam what I yam and that\'s all what I yam.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Bob, next time instead of a tip give the whole thing.....
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bajabuddha
Banned
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(I HEAR HE HAS LEPROSY.....) 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha | Far's tipping the Mariachis for tunes, I once asked for a song over a romantic dinner, and when finished I paid what I thought was a reasonable
amount; the Jefe Musician demanded MORE. It was a very embarrazzing and uncomfortable predicament, ruined the whole ambience. Seems it wasn't a
gratuity, but an 'expected fee'. I don't ask for a song any more. I can hear 'em fine at the next table. If it's a stage band and there's a tip
jar, I always give generously.
If they come to your table, I suggest asking before they play, "Quanto por un cantar?" and see if you want to pay it or not. If they say, "a le
gusta" well, let conscience be your guide. I've played music for tips and worked for gratuities in several jobs in my life, and have been grateful
for anything offered, if at all. |
Same thing happened to me. It was offensive.
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theotherone
Junior Nomad
Posts: 31
Registered: 10-25-2014
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Restaurant Waiter: 10%
Pemex Gas Attendant: 5 to 10 Pesos (depends on the actual service)
Hotel Housekeeping: 0
Taxi driver: 5 to 10 Pesos (depends on the actual service)
Tour boat Driver: 0
Trio of Musicians: The price per song must be negotiated before services are rendered, thus 0 tip. Some musicians may rip you off if you don't ask
and/or negotiate the price per song...
[Edited on 12-30-2014 by theotherone]
[Edited on 12-30-2014 by theotherone]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
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Location: Buena Vista BCS
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A few years back I was in Ensenada with family having dinner. A 6 member mariachi group dressed sharp asked if we would like some music, "of course" I
replied. They played 3 songs, very professional, probably the best I've heard. I was going for my wallet when my dad waved me off and said he would
get it. After he handed the tip to the guy I noticed that there was some conversation between them. My dad took out his wallet and gave the guy some
more money. Later I asked him what the guy said, "That's not enough" he replied. How much did you give him?.."Five bucks!". Really? five bucks? $.83
each for 3 songs?
He said he gave him another 5, $1.66 each, maybe they can buy their kids some new shoes.
My dad is a great guy but he is very conservative and stuck in the 50's when it comes to tipping.
[Edited on 12-30-2014 by dtbushpilot]
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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theotherone
Junior Nomad
Posts: 31
Registered: 10-25-2014
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One of the worst examples of a pure rip-off was about 5 years ago at Rosamar Restaurant in Puerto Nuevo, BC. While I was having lunch with a group of
friends, I notice a small conversation, in Spanish, between some musicians and mexican-american patrons regarding the final price of 10 songs. The
musicians wanted $100 US dollars for 10 songs, but the patrons got upset & said that they were charging them like a bunch of "gringos". After a
protracted conversation, they were able to negotiate the price to about $50 US dollars for 10 songs.
Bottom line, in order to avoid confusion and/or disappointment, the price per song should be negotiated before services are rendered. Furthermore, be
specific about the exact number of songs you want to hear and/or are willing to pay for.
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