Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

1 2 View All

Feb 7, 2011, 1:32 PM

Post #1 of 29 (3018 views)

Shortcut

domestic workers

| Private Reply

Just read on Chapala.com this morning that someone pays their "maid" one day a week for two hours the sum of 40 pesos per hour and then gives her a propina of two pesos for her work. I will stay calm for 24 hours mas o menos to here your comments, but it is going to to be tough. T

johninajijic

Feb 7, 2011, 7:22 PM

Post #2 of 29 (2944 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Nothing wrong with 40 pesos per hour. That's overpaying slightly. The going rate is 35 - 40 pesos per hour. What's with the propina? You don't give maids a propina.

Rolly

Feb 7, 2011, 7:49 PM

Post #3 of 29 (2940 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

I pay my housekeepers (man and wife) a flat rate of $200 plus taxi fare for about 2 hours of work once a week.
4 man-hours for $200 = $50 per hour each. They need the extra money more than I do, so I'm glad to help.
I also pay their college tuition.

It makes me sick how cheap some people are.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

johninajijic

Feb 7, 2011, 9:52 PM

Post #4 of 29 (2924 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

We pay our maid 40 pesos an hour. She is new with us and she'll get an increase in September. Most maids in our area make 35 pesos an hour. Very few make 50 pesos an hour.

Vichil

Feb 8, 2011, 7:09 AM

Post #5 of 29 (2872 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Nothing wrong with 40 pesos an hour. The tip is insulting maybe the person means 20 pesos. Why bother with 2 pesos? Pay for the bus if you want to do something extra but two pesos makes you look cheap and /or silly. Who gives a propina to a maid?
Propinas are for extra service not for peole who have a regular job.
T I do not see anything to be overexcited about the whole thing just a lady who is out of it and wants to feel better about herself..

Feb 8, 2011, 12:33 PM

Post #6 of 29 (2826 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] domestic workers

| Private Reply

You and I are in total agreement. What bothered me about this person's post were a couple of things. First of all, she called this woman her maid, when she only has her two hours a week. I find that terminology misleading, insulting and degrading.
A maid is a full-time employee, who even may live on site. What she has is a housekeeper, or cleaning lady, the same as I do. Her 40 pesos per hour is at the low end, but fair. What really got me was her propina of two pesos. That was not a mistake as it was in words, not digits. A two peso tip is about 15 cents USD. I think that is a major insult to anyone. 15 cents? I would throw it in her face.

I have had my housekeeper ( she likes that term and does not like being called maid) for about 4 years. I would trust her with my life. She started out four years ago at 35 per hour. One day every other week for three hours. After a year, I bumped her up to 40 per hour and had her come once a week.

She is now at 50 per hour and she has asked me several times if I would change my days, so that she could take on new clients. The answer from me was always yes, so now she works at my place every Monday morning. I had no idea switching to Mondays meant so many holidays, and she shows up and gets triple time, just as the law requires.

I have no problem with this. This good woman, has missed two days in the last 4 years and has let me know in advance both times. She does my laundry and folds up the clothes, as if they were in a retail store. Once a month, takes everything out of the fridge, washes it down and puts everything back in place, cleans my windows every week. Makes my bed. Cleans the paddles on my ceiling fans when the dust builds up and I could go on and on. The best part is that I have never had to ask her to do anything, she just knows what needs to be done. The only thing that she has ever broken was a small ceramic ashtray. Guess what, the next time she came she had gone out and bought me a new ashtray

You are right, Rolly. There are some real cheap ass folks down here, but I think most of the Canadians are gone by the end of March. Shit, you are going to delete this, aren't you? I love Canadians, but they do tend to be a tad thrifty. Is that better? I hope. T

Rolly

Feb 8, 2011, 12:53 PM

Post #7 of 29 (2815 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

You are certainly not the first to comment on the perceived spending habits of our northern friends.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

CanuckBob

Feb 8, 2011, 1:19 PM

Post #8 of 29 (2805 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] domestic workers

| Private Reply

I can think of a few tips for you, Terry.........:>)

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://lakechapalainfo.bigforumpro.com/

(This post was edited by CanuckBob on Feb 8, 2011, 1:21 PM)

chinagringo

Feb 8, 2011, 1:24 PM

Post #9 of 29 (2804 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] domestic workers

| Private Reply

When I read threads on TOB's, I don't think one can make that generalization just about the Canadians! When I see people whining about the cost of a Costco or Sam's membership, the cost of tipping and various other aspects of living in the Lake Chapala area, I have to conclude there are a bunch of cheap people of all nationalities!

I can think of a number of people that when talking on the phone are constantly equating the wonders of living in Mexico with the cost involved. Some seem to be so fixated on that measuring stick that nothing else seems to matter?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by chinagringo on Feb 8, 2011, 1:27 PM)

don pedro

Feb 8, 2011, 3:07 PM

Post #10 of 29 (2780 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

i and some other canadians live here full time and i and the other canadians that i do know brought our spending/tipping habits with us and i can guarantee you that you wouldn't want to express this total bs on my board unless you wish to discuss the spending habits of dismissed real estate agents.
never mind the tipping-what kind of charitable works have you initiated and or supported T.-SNORK!
and rolly, i'm surprised that you support this myth.

http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com

(This post was edited by Rolly on Feb 9, 2011, 12:49 PM)

arbon

Feb 8, 2011, 4:06 PM

Post #11 of 29 (2763 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

¿So Terry, why do you think Canadians have so much money, and America has So much debt?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rolly

Feb 8, 2011, 4:11 PM

Post #12 of 29 (2762 views)

Shortcut

Re: [don pedro] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Pedro, mi amigo, you misunderstand what I said.
I simply said that others have said that Canadians are tight with their money.
I did not express my person belief on the subject because I have no way of knowing if it is true or not.
I suspect it is not.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Feb 8, 2011, 4:12 PM)

don pedro

Feb 8, 2011, 4:31 PM

Post #13 of 29 (2747 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] domestic workers

| Private Reply

ok then rolly

http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com

bfwpdx

Feb 9, 2011, 5:49 AM

Post #14 of 29 (2672 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Tipping is an utterly ridiculous measure of generosity versus cheapness, especially from a country in which their service people have no or a demeaning level of minimum wage scale and who rely on the charity of their benefactors to pay them a decent wage. Of course the culture of tipping varies a great deal around the world, and is NOT a universal indication of generosity. Many countries feel it is degrading to be tipped and it is an insult to do so. The contrasting attitudes toward tipping are generally related to the work conditions one is accustomed to. In the US. the minimum wage for wait staff requires tippers to supplement their income, whereas in many other countries (including Canada) wait staff is paid a decent minimum wage (like 3-4 times the American rate) so tipping is given out more selectively, for good service only. We, and many other countries consider a system based primarily upon tipping to be condescending and degrading. There may be Americans who are not aware of these cultural differences.

Canadians are famous for their generosity to the less fortunate, both through their extremely liberal attitudes toward accepting international refugees, sending international aid, community volunteerism, and taking care of the elderly and poor inside their own country. These things are done quietly and without fanfare. Tipping is an inconsequential and trivial part of what we do to contribute to the world and at home.

Dreamer Blue

Feb 9, 2011, 6:21 AM

Post #15 of 29 (2658 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bfwpdx] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Well said.

chinagringo

Feb 9, 2011, 7:24 AM

Post #16 of 29 (2642 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bfwpdx] domestic workers

| Private Reply

In all my years of reading these forums, this is a topic which seems to flare up at least once per year and has often resulted in a heated discussion. As a United States resident and citizen, I can be safe in making the statement that: most people from the United States are totally ignorant of their neighbors to the north! On the other hand, Canadians quite naturally get quite defensive since they are often viewed as the "black sheep cousins" to the north. I would venture to say that out of necessity, Canadians know more about the United States than most citizens of the US.

Being the arrogant lot that we are, it is easy (lazy) for US citizens to take cheap shots at Canadians as we do not even attempt to understand the cultural and historical differences between the people of each country. The practice of tipping is one of those things that has many cultural differences and varies dramatically from country to country or even from one section of a country to another section.

There are "cheap people" from every country in the world and that includes those from the US!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

eyePad

Feb 9, 2011, 9:51 AM

Post #17 of 29 (2597 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bfwpdx] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Quote

many other countries (including Canada) wait staff is paid a decent minimum wage (like 3-4 times the American rate)

In most states the minimum wage is at least $7/hr. In Calif it is $8. A simple Google search shows the quoted statement to be untrue (3-4 times)

NEOhio1

Feb 9, 2011, 9:57 AM

Post #18 of 29 (2593 views)

Shortcut

Re: [eyePad] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Wait staff at Applebee's in Ohio in the US make $2.80 an hour with tips expected to take them up to minimum wage for the area. Thus is Canada has a minimum of around $8 something per hour for waitstaff they would be making 3 times a US waitperson.

(This post was edited by NEOhio1 on Feb 9, 2011, 9:58 AM)

Feb 9, 2011, 11:58 AM

Post #19 of 29 (2570 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] domestic workers

| Private Reply

I want to duplicate Rolly's comments. That was a tongue in cheek remark and not meant to offend anyone. I lived in the Detroit area and went to Windsor, Toronto, etc. many times a year. I had no idea that this was a sterotype for Canadians until I moved here and was told this by Canadian friends, who are very generous tippers. But they felt it was true. Go figure. T

Rolly

Feb 9, 2011, 12:08 PM

Post #20 of 29 (2565 views)

Shortcut

Re: [NEOhio1] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Sra Ohio is correct. USA restaurant workers fall into a special category in the min wage law. They get screwed.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Feb 9, 2011, 12:08 PM

Post #21 of 29 (2562 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bfwpdx] domestic workers

| Private Reply

Extremely well said and eye opening to me. Many thanks. Even the U.S. and Canada have cultural differences. Wow. Great post. T

Feb 12, 2011, 2:06 PM

Post #22 of 29 (2432 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] domestic workers

| Private Reply

The leader of the free world has an immense responsibility to keep you all afloat. It is a costly responsibility. A billion and a half to Egypt alone. Annualy. T.

Feb 12, 2011, 2:17 PM

Post #23 of 29 (2431 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] domestic workers

| Private Reply

As a second thought, maybe it is because Canadians are helping drain our economy, as you folks do not seem to have an army, navy, air force,marines, coast guard. If you do, they are doing nothing and you all are relying on the US for protection. Americans love Canadians, the best neighbor possible, and we are protecting your ass daily. Not good to be upset with Big Brother, until you folks can handle it on your own. T

arbon

Feb 12, 2011, 3:22 PM

Post #24 of 29 (2414 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

Well I can tell you Terry we were very glad in England, near the end of the second World war to hear that the Yanks had finally arrived, to write and film about what they had done to save the free World.

Jumping ahead twenty years, I decided to to become a Canadian citizen, so as to be able to stay in Canada and pay retail prices, without fear of deportation if I didn't pay wholesale.

DIY, Eh.......... Canada and Mexico sells... the States buys.... Got it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

don pedro

Feb 12, 2011, 5:22 PM

Post #25 of 29 (2385 views)

Shortcut

Re: [T] domestic workers

| Private Reply

what the haitch has this BS excited states gingoistic post got to do with domestic workers wages in mexico?

http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com

1 2 View All