Minimum Wage

Lynn0527 wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:

Lynn0527 wrote:

I think this is just a rationalization for being a cheapskate. Tourism is an industry and unfortunately an industry that doesn't historically pay well. People make their money from us visiting their shops, buying their handicrafts. Inflation? Inflation on nothing is nothing. What are you worried you might have to pay 10 cents more for your taco. Come on, open up your wallet and help out those that aren't as fortunate as us. My nephew is 19 years old and makes over $17.00 an hour just because is was born in Canada. Mexicans have a history of corrupt governments, very little in terms of a social safety net and if not educated little chance to make the same kind of money my uneducated 19 year old nephew can make. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude but your arguments for not helping others who have less is truly disconcerting.

I will let your rudeness pass because I am sure that if you had spent the years I have living and working in countries like Bolivia, Sierra Leone, Cambodia and Egypt you would see this problem through different eyes as I do. I come to this argument with Real World experience. It is not a rationalization. Overspending and throwing around lots of money over and above the local costs of things brings on inflation. That inflation hurts the locals the most.

As for the tourism industry being a low paying job: That is true in many Western Industrialized countries. However it is the opposite in most developing or "3rd World" countries. The Tourism industry jobs are most times better paying with greater benefits than their local "mom and pop" store counterparts. ie. the person working in a foreign owned international hotel (lets say in Bolivia or Mexico) will generally earn MORE than their cousin doing the same job in a local business catering mostly to the non-tourist, non-expat community.

In addition many of these Tourist oriented/foreign owned/local-foreign partnerships help pay for English lessons, College level courses and give, in some cases, quite generous bonuses.

In countries I mentioned above a job in the tourist sector of the economy is a sought after and very desirable opportunity. It represents direct access to US dollars, Many times a higher wage and the ability to learn English which in most countries I mention is the SINGLE most important factor in getting a better job in ANY sector of the economy.

I understand your feelings But they don't change the facts as they truly exist for the locals.

The best way to help people is with good jobs, education and justice...not a handout.

When I worked in Egypt (2 years) (in the tourism industry by the way) A jewelry seller I knew who had a shop and a quite nice one at that often approached people on the street to sell things at opportune moments (like a ship coming in) He asked me over tea one night "Why do all your people think me Poor? They insult me with always wanting to give me more than we agree upon. You westerners are sometimes very arrogant in your ideas about us" And why do they get so angry when they bargain? This is our way...."
His daughters went to school in London and the US.

In this same conversation he went on to complain about the French because they were truly cheapskates and didnt want to pay what they had agreed to...

Just a view from the other side of the fence.

Just as an aside, you don't know my travel history or work history so you are assuming quite a lot. Sorry but I thought we were discussing Mexican's and the situation in Mexico and minimum wage, not Egyptians. I wasn't referring to the educated Mexicans who work in the tourist industry. Some of them are probably well paid (perhaps the ones that work at the front desk of chain hotels or high end restaurants) but I bet the ladies that make the beds and clean the rooms are not well paid and if a little tip of $5.00 helps them and makes them feel their work is appreciated, then I am of the mind to help them out and thank them.

The Egyptian you speak of must be one in a million because I am familiar with the Egyptian culture and most Egytians work very hard to put one over on you. Not to be derogatory but they view bargaining a good deal (maybe even what North Americans might consider cheating) as being savvy at business.

I just really feel that as a traveller we should leave a positive impression and be cognisant of the people around us. When I travel I always feel just a little bit guilty about what I have in comparison to others. For a lot of people one might meet from other countries, it is just a dream to them to be able to travel to another country. We are very fortunate people and I believe we should share that fortune with others. Upsetting the world economics is stretching it a little.

Guilt ridden people are at the core of many of the worlds problems. If you worked hard for your money and earned it why feel guilty? If you did not work hard and earn your money I can then understand your guilt and perhaps you should give it back.