Minimum wage in Baja is between $43 and $48 a day. That's not bad you say,
well that is in pesos so move the decimal point one to the left. Right around
$4 USD per day.
So, many professions count on tipping (propina),
which is inflicted on the Mexican customers as well as us gringos. In
restaurants you will find 15% still a valued tip. 20% is anticipated in the
more upscale/touristy joints. I have found tipping for a haircut,
particularly if they own the establishment, surprised them. Here are some
additional places visitors to Mexico might not expect to tip:
The gas station attendant: Your attendant should handle all the
pump work, clean you windshield, promptly handle you change and factura
information if required. $10 (pesos or a buck) on fill seems appreciated. If
they handle gas cans, clean them up and place them back in your car, you
should throw down a little heavier.
Chamber maids: Now this is expected, but often overlooked in the
states. Here the propina makes up a much more significant portion of their
wage. Parking lot security: Many
of the larger supermarkets have lot attendants to prevent theft and
accidents. (remember you statistically double your chance of having an
accident when you put the car in "R") This is particularly helpful if you
shop the same place often and toss them $5 or $10 pesos. (fifty cents to a
dollar) At first I thought this was a parking lot scam until I checked with
the management of Soriana's. Most of these guys you see out there in the 100°
heat are pensioners who don't qualify for the minimums. I drop a few coins to
these guys when I shop and the other day one of my 'amigos' saw me struggling
with my bags, ran over, took my keys and opened my car for me. So far I have
yet to get a cart ding in that lot which puts me ahead about $100 USD!
Bag boys (persons) It's a common after school job for kids and
now seniors and it doesn't pay squat. A peso or two per bag is appropriate
out of the change back from your tab. These kids are working to pay for
school uniforms, books and even to support their family at an age when
American kids only worry about Playstation and cartoons. Be generous, these
kids (or seniors) aren't out spending it on crack!
Wait persons, doormen, bartenders all anticipate and should work for your
tip. Don't reward bad service either. Leaving a few pesos rather than none
after a meal is still the international sign of distain for bad service as it
is in the states. However, if you employ this heavy tactic you might want to
back out of the restaurant. By the way, "codo"
means elbow. When used in this context it is often accompanied by tapping the
left elbow three times with the right hand. It translate to: "He is such
a tightwad he has to be
tapped three times in the elbow for the money to come loose from his grip."
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