"Ever tip for a phone book?!"

It's funny what you get use to! I heard a knock on the door and went to see who it was. It was a guy with a dolly full of phone books. I told him I would be right back. I went in for the old ones (b/c you can't have a new one without turning in your old one) and I got some change. I really didn't give him much...all of two dollars (20 something pesos), but it just reminded me of ALL the things you tip for in Mexico.

Something you are probably use to tipping for is your meal at a restaurant, but have you ever been INVITED to some one's HOUSE and they EXPECTED you to leave a tip? Ok, I haven't either, but I thought it would be funny to throw that in there. We do tip someone to pump our gas (no choice). In the last 3 years I have pumped my own gas all of a dozen times (only when we are in the states). Here there are people that sack your groceries...you tip them. At HEB they have "extra service" and they take it to your car to put it in your trunk..."extra service" "extra tip"! What about the "parking lot attendant"? Yeah, there's a guy that "helps you back out" and "watch your car" while you are shopping. They expect something. Mailman day was the 12th of November...he expected a gift. EVERYONE around Christmas time expects something. Even the street sweepers (paid by the government) come by the house and ask for "their Christmas" (mula in other words). The TRASH MEN come around with the truck and ask you to give them something mostly at Christmas here in Leon, but in other states they WON'T take your trash if you just leave it out at the curb! Most people buy expensive wines or alcohol for the "trash man Christmas present"...we give them a little cash! Any home delivery anything, it is expected to give a little extra. There's a guy that comes by the house (actually knocks every door in the neighborhood) weekly asking if we need dry cleaning and if you send something you can expect to pay a little extra when he drops it off. At the beauty shop (not unheard of in the states) you can typically expect to pay a little extra for a tip. Two times a week the "water guy" comes by to drop off 5 gallon bottles of water...he expects something for bringing it in. At our other house, we had a man come and cut our grass...he expected a little extra and more extra around Christmas. One thing of note: We don't ORDER any of these "services", this is what they DO!

In reality, the list goes on, but I know what you are thinking. I would love to have those "little extra services" and given they are nice. The only thing is you DO NOT have a choice. You can be cheap and not pay, but you never know what that will mean next time you order something, have your car "watched", gas pumped, etc. I know that sounds like a lot of "boowhoing", but the reality is we are blessed and some times laugh when we remember that "it's not the way it's suppose to be". One thing I do like about Mexico is there truly is a job for everyone! So next time you come home and the phone book is sitting on the front porch just smile and be glad you didn't have to PAY for it...even if they find another way to charge you for service in the states!