Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

Todd DF

Feb 3, 2003, 8:44 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2783 views)

Shortcut

Tipping

Can't Post |

One of the things that took some time getting accustomed to was tipping nearly everyone who I have contact with. Although I dont mind paying for these minor services and supporting someones livelihood I was wondering if I am giving the correct amount. I would rather give nothing than give too little and offend someone.

What does everyone tip on the average and to whom? So far my understanding of whom is as follows:

Parking attendant, grocery bagger, trash collector, gasoline attendant, waiter or waitress. Who am I leaving out?

(This post was edited by Todd DF on Feb 3, 2003, 9:11 AM)

Cat

Feb 4, 2003, 8:06 PM

Post #2 of 9 (2642 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Todd DF] Tipping

Can't Post |

The postman. There's a special day of the year for that one, but I forgot what the date is.

Cat

gringostarr

Feb 4, 2003, 8:20 PM

Post #3 of 9 (2634 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Cat] Tipping

Can't Post |

the hairdresser...i dindnt know about the grocery bagger!

sparks

Feb 4, 2003, 8:28 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2624 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gringostarr] Tipping

Can't Post |

Gringo you have been rude to those young kids (some older folk) that bag a single pack of gum or a pack of cigarettes if they are quick enough ??? Seriously, they do expect tips and are in any grocery store of size.

Correct amount ??? Mexicans seem to know ... usually 40-50p for me

jennifer rose

Feb 4, 2003, 8:34 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2630 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Todd DF] Tipping

Can't Post |

I don't tip the grocery bagger unless I've got a lot of groceries or the bagger does something special -- like getting me a box. Then it's a peso or two. At Costco,I've noticed that the only workers who are tipped are those who push the carts out to and load the car. At some stores, the sacker is also the one who takes the groceries to the car, and in that case, he's tipped. The parking lot attendants are always tipped if they load my car. If they're only opening my car door for me, showing me a parking spot, or guiding traffic, then they're tipped about half the time. The tip ranges from $1-5 pesos, depending upon the quantity of merchandise and the amount of work. And what I've got in my pocket.

The trash collector receives $3 per dogfood-sized bag of trash.

I only tip the gas station attendant if he washes my windows and checks the oil. Again, the amount depends upon the level of service, and it ranges from $2-5. It depends upon whether I'm at my regular gas station or not.....and whether the attendant is still hanging around while I dig for change.

Restaurant waitstaff receive 10-15% of the bill before taxes. Sometimes, if it's a place that I frequent, the tip may be about 20%.

The mailman receives $200 once a year. That's probably double what many folks pay, but I've got a great mailman, and I do receive a lot of magazines.

Carol Schmidt

Feb 4, 2003, 10:14 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2607 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Todd DF] Tipping

Can't Post | Private Reply

I tip sit-down restaurant wait staff 15%;

parking lot attendants 5 pesos, or 10 pesos if they have to go get my car;

the kid who bags my groceries, 1-3 pesos depending on how many bags I have;

the kid who follows me to my car and insists on putting the groceries into my car, 1-3 pesos;

the parking lot adult male at big stores who directs me into a space and out again and also loads packages for me, 5 pesos;

the housekeeper provided by the hotel for an hour a day, 50 pesos a week and another 100 pesos on my Social Security day (a family-run hotel owns the casa where I live though it's not part of the hotel);

the hotel's gardener who takes time out to carry stuff up to the second floor for me, 5-10 pesos depending on how many bags I have;

the water delivery guy who lugs a 40-pound bottle up the second floor to my casa, 3 pesos a bottle on top of the 15-peso per bottle charge;

the car wash guy who I see every day and who does a really nice job on my car, 5-10 pesos depending on how dirty inside my car was;

the cabinet maker and his son who delivered a really heavy entertainment center up that flight of stairs and struggled hard, 50 pesos;

the guy with one arm who sells me my weekly paper, 2 pesos on top of the 8 peso price;

the dog groomer, 10 pesos on an 80 peso tab;

gas station pumper, 3-5 pesos depending on how dirty my windshield was;

and the guy who delivered 8 heavy bags of garden dirt up not only that second floor but up onto my roof via a tiny winding stairwell, 50 pesos.

I've been told we absolutely should not tip cab drivers, who charge 15 pesos for most trips within the city limits and 30 pesos after 10:30 pm. But I have to admit I give 3 pesos if they're friendly and willing to let me practice my limited Spanish with them, or 5 pesos if they have to get out and open the trunk for me for packages and help me load. If I ever get my hair cut again I suppose I'll go 15% there too.

It adds up, and I am on Social Security, but I have so much compared to those I am tipping. I don't tip if someone is curt or rude, which almost never happens.

Carol Schmidt, San Miguel de Allende, not a typical Mexican city

esperanza

Feb 5, 2003, 5:34 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2590 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Carol Schmidt] Tipping

Can't Post | Private Reply

Where I live, the bag boys are not paid by the supermarkets; whatever money they receive in tips is their salary. This is standard here. I rarely shop in supermarkets but I always try to have a few pesos in change available to tip these kids~2 pesos, 3 pesos, sometimes 5 if I have more than a couple of small items.

I tip the guy who pumps the gas if he also checks the tires, the oil, and/or cleans the windshield.

I give the water man and the mailman aguinaldo at Christmas.

The woman who cuts my hair gets a huge tip (compared to the cost of the haircut)~I pay 30 pesos plus a 10 peso tip. It's the best 10 pesos I spend once a month. Nobody in the USA ever cut my hair this well.

When people give extra service, I'm glad to tip...everyone from waitstaff to the 'Le cuido el coche?' kids who really do watch the car.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Taz

Feb 5, 2003, 8:15 AM

Post #8 of 9 (2564 views)

Shortcut

re: Tipping Taxi Drivers

Can't Post |

When we were in Puerto Vallarta this year, we were told not to tip the taxi drivers.

Now I hear you say that again.

Why are we not supposed to tip the drivers ??

We tip them here in Canada.

alex .

Feb 5, 2003, 10:06 AM

Post #9 of 9 (2546 views)

Shortcut

Re: [PJM] re: Tipping Taxi Drivers

Can't Post | Private Reply

In Tijuana the locals do NOT tip the cab drivers, rather, bargain them down from an inflated rate to a more "standard rate". This applies to the 'taxi particular' or private cab that will charge 5 dollars to take you a few blocks to the shopping district or twenty to/from the airport. The 'taxi collectivo' has a set fee structure, usually around 5 pesos depending on the route.
The taxistas particulares know that tipping is customary in the US , Canada, and Europe so will blantantly ask the tourist for a tip. Mañosos.
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Feb 5, 2003, 10:11 AM)