Minimum Wage

When in Rome do as the Romans do.
In other words-----It is polite, and possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of a society when one is a visitor.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
When in Rome do as the Romans do.
In other words-----It is polite, and possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of a society when one is a visitor.

Agree.

Yes the minimum wages are a joke. BUT: Very few citizens will work for those wages. However depending on what state you live in many citizens work for as little as $100 to $150 pesos a day. Converting to USD is meaningless as workers buy their items in Pesos. On top of the meager wage a worker is supposed to get Seguro. Paid by the employer. This includes: Pension, Health Insurance, Worker's Comp. and unemployment insurance. Many low age earners do not get that coverage. An illegal practice. Workers in Maquiladoras usually get the minimum wage. I am not up to date on their wages but Auto plant workers make around $1500 pesos a week to start.

Moisheh

it's all relative anyway. as for haggling, do it, that is part of their culture.

you didn't mention that housing is totally different than in canada or the states, and talk about taxes, property taxes are next to nothing and many mexicans do not pay any type of income tax. so simply put, you can't compare their life style with ours, just be aware of the differences.

I'm not going to Mexico anytime in the foreseeable future, but...

So, are you supposed to tip for service? Haggle for price? Just curious.

I don't always haggle as my time is worth money. Am I going to haggle for a 10 or 20 percent discount? Most of the time NO. A dollar of two means nothing to my lifestyle but can make a good day for a vendor and his or her family. I am just looking for the other person to be fair with me. Plus I tip, a fair tip not a great tip!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

well I see it all the Time here, folks leaving tips that are a complete Joke .. or should I say insult.. I have reminded a few folks that the waiter has Kids at home ... and they are paid 70 to 100 peso a day ( some 8 plus hours ) so don't be a Cheap A#$ and tip a lil beyond ..

Mexicans are notorious for not tipping or poorly, if you are not coming back to the restaurant, leave 10%, if you like the place and will be back, tip 20%, they will remember you and give you even better service.

Place yourself in their shoes.

Do to others as you want others to do to you.

As for the wages, I will ask our nice what is needed to have employee's and what are the obligations of the Patron (employer) and post them here, she has a business in Mexico City.

navegator

Haggling is expected, but remember that once you agree on a price, you really should not back out, so consider that from the start. The most aggravating thing that I've seen in the 15 years visiting this country are people who will haggle down to the last peso - who take it as a contest they must win and really, people, 10 pesos is less than 80 cents - can you afford that ? Of course you can, so give them a break ! RYV

I don't know where people get the idea that haggling is part of the culture. If you go to non tourist areas there is no haggling. When you are buying tourist trinkets or blankets of course there is haggling. They have raised the price and you think it is a bargain when it is reduced to the real price. Reminds me of when Tioga George had some fellow do some welding on his unit. He did a good job and I think the price was about 100 pesos or less. He offered 50! That is wrong! Go to central Guad. and walk the streets. Try haggling and they will be insulted. You might get a small discount. Clarlk is correct about tipping. Many of the waiters only get that 65 pesos a day and rely on tips for their income.


Moisheh