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Bethie

Mar 4, 2008, 10:02 AM

Post #1 of 15 (1244 views)

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Traveler's Checks

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Does anyone know if Mexico business accept traveler's checks? Just curious.

thanks
Bethie

esperanza

Mar 4, 2008, 10:16 AM

Post #2 of 15 (1234 views)

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Re: [Bethie] Traveler's Checks

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It's very difficult to use travelers' checks anywhere in Mexico. Very. I wouldn't buy them to use here. Cash is the only sure form of payment everywhere. Bring your ATM card and use it to withdraw cash from any bank in Mexico. The exchange rates are quite favorable.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

La Isla

Mar 4, 2008, 1:07 PM

Post #3 of 15 (1212 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Traveler's Checks

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I agree with Esperanza's comments. I haven't used traveler's checks in several years, in Mexico or anywhere else I've traveled to overseas.

Bethie

Mar 4, 2008, 1:16 PM

Post #4 of 15 (1209 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Traveler's Checks

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That's kinda what i figured...
Thanks!

Bloviator

Mar 4, 2008, 2:41 PM

Post #5 of 15 (1196 views)

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Re: [Bethie] Traveler's Checks

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Also, if nothing else, you have to stand in bank lines for interminable times to cash your travelers checks. In Mexico, lines are only required for gringos. For Mexicans they are only suggestive. You may wait for a long time until all the Mexican customers have come and gone and then wait some more while newcomers get in line ahead of you.

This afternoon I was at Banamex re-activating my account. I was standing at the window conducting my business. There were three people sitting behind me waiting their turn (one gringo, his Mexican wife/girlfriend and a long Mexican). A little wizened old (she looked 80 and was probably about 45) India looking woman without teeth marched up to the window and tried to elbow me aside. Of course, I was in the middle of a transaction, so could not give way to her. The other people just looked at her. She continued to stand by me and continued to elbow me. Finally the clerk told her that she would have to wait - not her turn, but just until I was done. She sat down for awhile and then marched back up and began to elbow the young lady who was there to help me. One of those waiting approached and suggested that she might wait in line. She just snuggled up closer to my helper and totally ignored the other person.

I have seen similar things frequently in banks. Evidently, the concept of waiting has not taken hold among many Mexican bank customers. Also, the idea of efficiency and courtesy has also not made much in the way of inroads among bank employees.

This is a serious question, so please don't attack me for asking it. Is there some Mexican custom that gives old women the right to go to the head of lines without waiting? I have seen this happen a number of times and people sort of seem to accept it.

RickS

Mar 4, 2008, 8:24 PM

Post #6 of 15 (1172 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Traveler's Checks

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This is not to refute the 'stories' about using travelers checks in Mexico, but.....

When I travel to Lake Chapala for extended periods I always bring some travelers checks. I also always bring two ATM cards because one got eaten by the ATM once. Without the travelers checks I would have been 'up the proverbial creek without visible means of motivation'.

I have never had ANY trouble cashing travelers checks at the cambio on the square in Ajijic. Often they give me the exchange rate for cash (I sometimes think they just make a mistake, but it does happen). But even when they don't it doesn't amount to much difference AND I get my pesos! I have also checked with another couple of exchange houses in Ajijic and they have never said 'no' to travelers checks.

Your mileage may vary.

(This post was edited by RickS on Mar 4, 2008, 8:56 PM)

esperanza

Mar 4, 2008, 8:29 PM

Post #7 of 15 (1171 views)

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Re: [Bloviator] Traveler's Checks

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We could have done without the racist comments, Bloviator.

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Bloviator

Mar 5, 2008, 4:37 AM

Post #8 of 15 (1151 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Traveler's Checks

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Esperanza. I know that your are totally dedicated to the glory and perfection of all things Mexican. I admire your dedication and the knowledge that it allows you to share with us. However, observing some of the slight imperfections that exist here, aren't necessarily racist. They may be nothing more than objective observations of reality - a reality that loves living in Mexico, even if it is not perfect and which does not require perfection.

I'm sorry you feel my comments were racist. They were not intended as such and I am definitely not racist. They were only observations of specific actions that I have observed. I simply reject the idea that such comments are racist.

The little India woman did the things that I said. She looked the way that I said she did (I commented on the age/looks discrepancy simply as an observation of the hard life that such people have lived in Mexico). I was only describing her. In fact, her stoic doggedness to get what she wanted has probably been important in allowing her to live in a harsh environment.

I sincerely want to know if it is a custom to allow old women to go to the head of the line without waiting. If so, I'll be the first to make way for them. Otherwise, they can wait just like everyone else, though anytime they are standing, I'll give them my seat. Anytime they are at a door, I'll hold the door open for them. I'll treat them with any respect I can. I respect them, but do not think that rudely shoving others aside is appropriate behaviour unless it is a custom of Mexico. If so, I will honor it. Is it?

(This post was edited by Bloviator on Mar 5, 2008, 4:46 AM)

esperanza

Mar 5, 2008, 5:44 AM

Post #9 of 15 (1139 views)

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Re: [Bloviator] Traveler's Checks

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Bloviator, my comment was particularly directed to your need to designate the woman an "India". What possible relationship could that have had to her actions at the bank?

It's bank custom here in Mexico to allow people who have already been dealing with a bank teller and have had to leave and come back with an additional document to come to the front of the line and be served prior to other customers. Do you know that this was not the case with this customer? Otherwise, my experience of Banamex practice is that the bank gives out numbers and calls each customer by number and in turn.

YMMV.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Bloviator

Mar 5, 2008, 6:03 AM

Post #10 of 15 (1136 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Traveler's Checks

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If the lady had been a tall white male Texan with a big hat, I would have probably described him that way. It was simply describing what I saw and I apologize if you were offended.

(This post was edited by Bloviator on Mar 5, 2008, 7:52 AM)

Georgia

Mar 5, 2008, 12:53 PM

Post #11 of 15 (1089 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Traveler's Checks

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Actually, I find the fact that this woman appeared to be indigenous indian, and not mestizo, very interesting. There is an enormous amount of discrimination throughout Mexico, Central and South America against the indigenous people. Even within families (mine included) the lighter-skinned members will taunt or make fun of the darker-skinner members, and not lovingly, I might add. So, it is all there, just like everywhere. That makes it all the more interesting that this woman felt free to barge in. Perhaps, as Esperanza suggests, she had already been waited on. But there also is something else that happens here that I kind of like ... people of "tercera edad" get special treatment. In Tlaquepaque, where the lines to pay your property taxes wrap around the block, there is a shorter line, seats and special window for people of "tercera edad" and people with disabilities. Since I now find myself in this senior citizen or "tercera edad" category, I kind of like it. The lady in question may have felt the right to barge in as a privilege of her age. Hey, the rest of aging is sometimes not such a hot deal, we might as well as some benefits.

muycontento

Mar 5, 2008, 1:34 PM

Post #12 of 15 (1085 views)

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Re: [Bloviator] Traveler's Checks

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A 'fila americana' is a line. A 'fila mexicana' is a clump. It's how they do it. Having been in many clumps, never have I seen pushing, shoving or complaining. And it's remarkable how quickly they can clear up and everyone gets his/her turn. It works, get used to it. You ain't in Kansas Dorthey.

thriftqueen

Mar 5, 2008, 3:46 PM

Post #13 of 15 (1066 views)

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Re: [Georgia] Traveler's Checks

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My Mexican friend told me to say, "Espero su turno, por favor". When I tell them to wait their turn, they always look so surprised that I would say such a thing to them. IMHO I think the Mexican sees an Americano and cuts in expecting us not to say anything. In the US using the example of a department store, bank or grocery an Americano would never cut in, but here in Mexico it is commonly done. Before learning that phrase that was my number one "bug" with the Mexican, the checker would began to wait on me and here would come someone and start talking to the cashier or dangling their money wanting the cashier to accept it even though the cashier had began to check me out. I have no problem with the guy that was told to come back to the window when they had been sent somewhere else to do what ever and it was necessary before thier transaction could be completed.

On one forum a guy was relating about going to the bank to pay his FM3 fee, the bank dispensed numbers and the waiting line was lengthy just as he got to the window here came a woman breezing up to the window and was starting to talk to the teller even though the guy's transaction had begun. The teller told her she would have to wait her turn, turned out her number was 10 spaces behind the FM3 payee. I had to laugh it's so typical.

Bloviator

Mar 6, 2008, 6:15 AM

Post #14 of 15 (1024 views)

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Re: [Bloviator] Traveler's Checks

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It has been called to my attention that the word "I..evidently unusable" is the equivalent of the N word. I was not aware of that. If it the case, I apologize and will refer to I...s in the future as female indigenous persons - or is there another acceptable term. I've already picked up on indigenous as acceptable. Am I correct?

As to accepting the "clump," I'm afraid that I will have difficulty with that. The indigenous person was elbowing me and my helper and taking the place of others waiting patiently in line. Of course, the explanation that one doesn't have to wait in line if in the middle of a previously begun transaction makes absolute sense. Incidentally, she is Dorothy.

As to clumping, however, I have about learned to accept and relish the Mexican auto line. Waiting in line takes a lot of time. If many pass on the left, go into the opposing line of traffic, or go into the opposing direction shoulder, the whole mess gets cleared up quickly and everyone benefits. This seems to me to be eminently sensible. I don't see how this applies to line jumping. Those who crowd in get ahead and those who wait in line get screwed.

Of course, it makes absolutely no difference whether I accept a custom or not. It is what it is and my feelings or disapproval are irrelevant.

(This post was edited by Bloviator on Mar 6, 2008, 6:18 AM)

muycontento

Mar 6, 2008, 9:25 AM

Post #15 of 15 (1001 views)

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Re: [Bethie] Traveler's Checks

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I have studied the clump system using que theory techniques and found them to about equal to lines as far as getting the group through in a timely manner. If there is a small space in front of you put some part of your body in it. If you can't hold your own with 'A little wizened old India looking woman' maybe you should travel with a big bodyguard.

Please Ms. on-line editor, kill this thread. It was practically stillborn and should not be permitted to survive.