Posted by strikeeagle on October 11, 2000 at 21:46:21:
In Reply to: Re: Something people should be aware of. posted by Daytimer on October 11, 2000 at 20:43:36:
| Mordita is an unfortunate part of TJ culture. (as it is in most third world countries) I'm not going to get into the ethics or correctness of the practice. It is what it is, and it exists today, so we have to deal with it. Prostitution IS illegal in Mexico. It is tolerated in certain 'zonas', but up on Rev. you do need to be discreet. In La Zona Norte, you most likely will not have an issue with this. However, there have been reports of being hassled by policia in la zona, when taking to, or walking with SGs. Last weekend, I had a cop tell me that I couldn't drink a Coke on the street. I'd just bought a Coke from a taco stand and was sipping it as this cop walked by. He paused and to me me that I couldn't drink it on the street. I was talking with a SG friend of mine, and asked her what he'd said. She repeated it. With this the polica came back and started to tell me that he thought that it was a Coke can filled with beer. I just looked at him. Then the gal who runs the taco stand saw what was going on, and told the cop that I'd just bought it from her. He just glared at both of us, and walked on. The taco vendor told me that he was going to 'fine' me. I told her that I knew that, and offered to buy food for mi amiga and all her friends from the taco stand gal. (this was my way of saying 'thank you' in a culturally sensitive way) It cost me $12 in food and drink, but made a bunch of Street Chicas happy and the taco gal knew what I was doing as well. I believe the gesture was appreciated by all. This is one more example of being "smart" in la zona. Treat everyone who provides you service with dignity and respect. Smile, and be friendly with people. Waiters, bathroom cleaners, towel boys, bar tenders, taco stand owners, taxi drivers. They are all there doing a job. Treat them as your equal, not your lesser. You'd be surprised at how much this friendly geniture may come back to help you. When I go to CC, I always use the same maseras to get my drinks. I chat them up and ask how things are going for them. If they seem to be down, or tired, I'll ask what's up and spend a couple of moments sharing a little bit of life with them. I also always tip a buck or two a round. If I ask for change between rounds, I'll tip a buck as well. In all, it might cost me an extra five or six dollars, but that money makes a big difference in the lives of the people that are waiting on me, and it generates good will. Same thing goes for buying tacos. Most places charge $.75 each. But, why quibble over $.25 or $.50 change? I'll not bore you with the details, but on two occasions, this practice has brought enough good will to save my sorry ass. This is NOT to say that I tip everyone. I don't. If I get crappy service somewhere, I don't tip. There is one masero in CC who screwed with me two trips in a row, and I will NOT tip him. He knows it, and rarely even offers to service me. I know that there are those who will squeeze every dime while in la zona. And, for them that's fine. I'm just sharing what works for me. Sure, I could probably save enough to pay for an extra session each year by being less giving. For me, it's not worth it. I get more enjoyment giving to people who give me good service. Sorry for the long winded post on too many topics.
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