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jamiec
Junior Nomad
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Getting pulled over, bribes, and extortion from police
I came across these videos, this guy has driven the Pan-American Hwy as well as around Africa. His advice on dealing with extortion attempts and
bribery requests seems pretty logical.
Video 1: https://youtu.be/IOljPXY0Smg
Video 2: https://youtu.be/qdQPz0I-Mgc
A video of a bribery attempt from Africa and how he put these ideas to work to get out of the bribe: https://youtu.be/7RTlDa2cg0o
Thoughts?
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vandy
Senior Nomad
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I liked video 2 at 10:45 talking about respect and friedliness for the checkpoint guys. I only get surly when cops try for a bribe for no reason.
His method of defusing the situation with friendliness and mild counterpoint lying and asking for a receipt in video 3 were priceless!
I'll try that next time...if there is one.
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pacificobob
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a local friend offers similar council. "never stop smiling in the course of the encounter" it works well.
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JZ
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We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not
waste time.
Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.
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John Harper
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Quote: Originally posted by JZ  | We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not
waste time.
Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.
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I wonder how much it would cost you if you weren't traveling with "MX nationals?" What does that really buy you?
What do you teach your kids about giving in to corruption and not standing up for yourself? About right and wrong?
I'm kind of stunned at your rather "cavalier" response. Apparently, time is more valuable than your dignity.
John
[Edited on 3-17-2021 by John Harper]
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JZ
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| Quote: Originally posted by John Harper |
I wonder how much it would cost you if you weren't traveling with "MX nationals?" What does that really buy you?
What do you teach your kids about giving in to corruption and not standing up for yourself? About right and wrong?
I'm kind of stunned at your rather "cavalier" response. Apparently, time is more valuable than your dignity.
John
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Maybe it's because of their mother, but the kids are the most polite and hard working kids I know.
How about yours? And have you gone back to in person learning or still riding with the corrupt school boards and unions?
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motoged
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John,
You must know by now how Bwana travels.... kinda like how the upper class did in India and Africa a hundred and fifty years ago....
Don't believe everything you think....
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Hook
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I always find it humorous when persons who travel VERY LITTLE AND IN A LIMITED AREA in Mexico try to criticize those who travel OFTEN AND FAR-RANGING
in Mexico.
I think the seasoned Nomad will know to whom I am referring, above.
My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.
But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.
There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what
the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.
Taking the moral high road in Mexico doesn't seem to be real effective in solving corruption down there. I guess you have to live down there for
months and years to see it. I doubt I will see corruption and mordida disappear in my lifetime.
If cops made 50k-150k in salary, had health insurance and a pension in Mexico, like they do in the States, it might be different.
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RFClark
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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After dealing and traveling in Mexico as well as much of the rest of the world for 50 years, Canada, Australia, Japan and China are the places where
you don't grease government officials in cash. Mexico was far worse in the past then it is today.
Customs officials used to be the worst. Many wouldn’t take money directly from Americans so you had to get a Mexican national to make the payment
for you. I haven’t had to pay a customs official off in 10 years.
Police in Mexico usually are happy with $20 though i think I’ve only paid police off 4 times in 40 years.
I’ve had to pay police off in the US too!
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surabi
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | We always travel with MX nationals. I let them sort it out. My guidance to them: Pay the cop, but not too much, so we can be on our way and not
waste time.
Probably get hit up once or twice a year. Usually $40-50.
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$40-$50? And you think the Mexicans are "sorting it out" for you? What a mark. I've lived in Mexico for 20 years, have almost never gotten stopped,
and only paid them off once so I could be on my way because I had an appointment to get to. 200 pesos.
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JZ
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi |
$40-$50? And you think the Mexicans are "sorting it out" for you? What a mark. I've lived in Mexico for 20 years, have almost never gotten stopped,
and only paid them off once so I could be on my way because I had an appointment to get to. 200 pesos.
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A "mark"? Maybe. Not too concerned about it.
You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.
I'm not judging you. We all make different decisions.
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JZ
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So many on here want to just attack ppl.
In this thread we learn that if you state your opinion and approach to travel in MX, you get attacked? And are called a "mark" or told you have no
"dignity."
Who are you to judge??
Don't forget that some ppl will fight back.
[Edited on 3-17-2021 by JZ]
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John Harper
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Relax, Francis.
John
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mtgoat666
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | So many on here want to just attack ppl.
In this thread we learn that if you state your opinion and approach to travel in MX, you get attacked? And are called a "mark" or told you have no
"dignity."
Who are you to judge??
Don't forget that some ppl will fight back.
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Shorty mcjizzy,
You are feisty, wee little troll! So cute to see you little people fluff up your feathers!
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
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he's so cute when he's mad. if i was afraid to move around this country without " mx national " escorts i would certainly keep is a secret....
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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Location: Kamloops, BC
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
..... You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.
I'm not judging you.
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Slick,
You are totally about judging others... how do you try to walk this back? :
"have you gone back to in person learning or still riding with the corrupt school boards and unions? ".
Your efforts to try and be less of a putz aren't working very well lately.
But keep on trying.... you need a bit more of the humility thing going on.
Don't believe everything you think....
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jamiec
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
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| Quote: Originally posted by Hook |
My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.
But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.
There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what
the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.
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Very reasonable.
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5012
Registered: 5-6-2016
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
You have told us that you rent out a room at the place you live. Separate entrance, and all. Personally, I would never do something like that.
I'm not judging you. We all make different decisions.
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This thread is about paying bribes. Everytime a gringo passes out $50 bills for some bogus police stop, it reinforces the idea that all gringos have
pockets full of disposable cash and that shaking people down is a lucrative occupation.
As long as foreigners go along with this, the corruption will continue and those who fall for it are 50% of the problem.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by jamiec | | Quote: Originally posted by Hook |
My basic tenet is: if you're guilty and it's a PITA to go to the police station, negotiate a settlement on the spot.
But if you are innocent, stand your ground. They will usually back down.
There can be extenuating circumstances. Towing a large boat comes to mind. Towing a trailer full of personal belongings comes to mind. Who knows what
the parking sitch at the station is like in larger towns? It might be easier to cut and run, if it can be negotiated down to a reasonable amount.
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Very reasonable. |
x3
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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advrider
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The guy had a good attitude and killed them with kindness, works like a charm. Even works in the US when you are being pulled over for a violation,
attitude goes a long way.
I think he had some good information and used his charm to create a very enjoyable exchange. All of my interactions in Mexico have been good
many enjoyable and fun. Often at check points the guys give us the sign to ride a wheelie, if we do stop it's always been good interaction..
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