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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/11/2019 in all areas

  1. What a strange take away. You could have said, “I’ll think twice before leaving the house without change.” You could have said, “I never realized other people had such strong feelings about this.” Or, even, “I’m surprised people think giving a candy bar is not a kindness.” But, no, you decide to think twice about being helpful. Such an odd response.
    10 points
  2. ... maybe it will only be open to the faithful...
    4 points
  3. Dear fellow web board members, Let's review: I originally said: Here is a helpful hint: Sometimes I go in the store with just my credit card. In order to tip the bagger, I buy a Snickers or Milky Way and give it to them when the are done. I always get a nice smile in return. After which More Liana said: Pardon me, but when children and elderly people are working for tips, they need money. They can't pay their bills with a candy bar. You like the smile you get back, but you're interpreting it to your benefit. Not necessarily so. followed by: Of course I noticed. What I said still stands: take enough cash to give a tip to your bagger. How hard is it to stick 10-20 pesos in your pocket AND take your credit card? then Yo1 said: This reminds me of the aguinaldo at Christmas. It is supposed to be paid in cash, not in gifts. I heartily agree with More Liana. Let's pause here so hopefully you guys can learn a lesson. Never assume the worst about other people. I have learned the hard way that when I do that, I am wrong 99% of the time. Rather than assuming, why not ask? Here is some background. I like to go for long walks and listen to books on my iphone. It is about 2.5 miles from my house to walmart. I don't like to carry around a lot of stuff, so I have a credit card in one back pocket and the iphone in the other. If I could pay with my iphone I would, and leave the credit card at home. Usually when I leave the house I don't have any intention of going shopping, but sometime my sweet baboo calls me and asks me pick up something on my way back. So I walk in, buy something, and to make sure the bagger doesn't work for nothing, I buy her/him a candy bar. Could I have left the house with some pesos in my pocket? Sure, but I didn't. I don't know if I am the only person who has ever gone shopping with just a credit card, but I doubt it. So suppose you do, and you find yourself checking out of walmart with no real money. As I see it, you have only two choices. 1. Give the bagger nothing. 2. Buy something with your credit card and give it to the bagger. Sadly, I hate to admit, for quite a while I did option 1 because I never thought of option 2. Then one day I did! Great, now I know what to do. Perhaps the idea of buying something with your card and giving it to the bagger is obvious, but it wasn't to me. When this discussion arose, I thought to myself, "I'll bet other people have found themselves in my situation and just walked out without tipping. Here is an idea for them that they might find helpful." Did anyone say, "Henry, that's a good idea. I'll do that the next time I find myself in that situation." No. So with that backstory in mind, let's classify the discussion in terms of helpful vs not helpful. Henry's original statement: helpful More Liana: unhelpful Yo1: unhelpful By the way, we pay the aguinaldo in cash on the first payday of the month along with a full month's salary so our employees have plenty of money for Christmas, rather than paying them weekly as we usually do. Again a helpful hint, in case you haven't thought of it, though aguinaldo has nothing to do with the original post. Maybe I'm too thin skinned, but while I was expecting kudos, I felt like I received nothing but censure. This was then followed by me saying: Okay guys. Wow. I'll be sure to think twice before trying to be helpful in the future. After which Xena said: What a strange take away. You could have said, “I’ll think twice before leaving the house without change.” You could have said, “I never realized other people had such strong feelings about this.” Or, even, “I’m surprised people think giving a candy bar is not a kindness.” But, no, you decide to think twice about being helpful. Such an odd response. timjwilson said: Sometimes very difficult if you have no cash and the ATMs are sold out. Not all that rare. A candy bar beats nothing right? More Liana said (responding to timjwilson): No. And frankly, when was the last time an ATM spit out a 10 peso coin or a 20 peso bill? ... Be a mensch. pappymarket said: Genius score-100 Common sense score-0 Let's rate these: Henry's second statement: unhelpful Xena: maybe helpful, but I felt phrased in a snarky way I think. Was that your intention? I did think "I’m surprised people think giving a candy bar is not a kindness." and that is what I should have said, but I chose snarky. timjwilson: helpful More Liana: unhelpful and snarky pappymarket: ? I don't know ? I have often seen people on the board be snarky towards others, but this is the first time I've experienced it myself. It is quite unpleasant, and I can honestly appreciate why some members drop out or just don't bother posting. My advice: If you are posting something that could be helpful to others, by all means do so. If not, just skip it. And please, don't assume the worst about someone you don't know. You will almost always be wrong. Best wishes, Henry Laxen
    4 points
  4. No. And frankly, when was the last time an ATM spit out a 10 peso coin or a 20 peso bill? Where I live, garbage collectors no longer receive a salary. The custom is to tip the garbage collector when he takes away one's garbage. The standard tip is five pesos, and I usually put out garbage twice a week. I make a point of saving 5-peso coins for just this purpose. Save your change. Take enough to the supermarket to tip the bagger. Be a mensch.
    4 points
  5. The shepherd was reunited with her family tonight., contact was made through a local vet posting on FB. It was a joyous reunion for the family and the dog. Hopefully they will get her an ID tag now.
    3 points
  6. This reminds me of the aguinaldo at Christmas. It is supposed to be paid in cash, not in gifts. I heartily agree with More Liana.
    3 points
  7. When I first came to Mexico I knew to tip so I always did. One day I tossed some coins on the counter for the older woman who had bagged my groceries. She got very angry and gave me the salute. I told my wife what happened and she told me I had insulted the woman. Now I always smile and put it in their hand with a gracias. I always try to carry change for tips as quite often I don't get get proper change back for a tip when I buy something.
    2 points
  8. No one is “jumping on the bandwagon.” It was very clear from the beginning that putting your money up front was a gamble. There was much discussion about it. Some people decided it was worth the risk. Others either could not afford to prepay for a year or did not wish to gamble. Those people said they’d see how it worked out. Some people have seen enough to sign up and pay install and monthly fees. It is not their fault they are getting hooked up before you. I never believed the story that all prepays would be hooked up first. It did not make sense that the company would hopscotch around lakeside and then fill in. What I thought would happen did happen. It is working out the way things work out in Mexico.
    2 points
  9. Pardon me, but when children and elderly people are working for tips, they need money. They can't pay their bills with a candy bar. You like the smile you get back, but you're interpreting it to your benefit. Not necessarily so. Just this week I read a long article in La Jornada (newspaper out of Mexico City) about pensions in Mexico. The standard amount for a person retiring from lifelong work? 1200-1500 pesos a month. Tip the baggers!
    2 points
  10. Hi everybody. I am Cecilia, the woman who sold berries outside Licores Paz. I miss everybody also, I will not sell berries at that location more. Now I will be at Minisuper Luz with my husband. It's our business. It's a grocery store. I hope you visit us! It's at the corner of Ramón Corona and Ramón Velazquez in SAT 2 blocks down from Sunrise Restaurant. We have good prices the same or better service and any question you can write me at minisuperluz@hotmail.com.
    2 points
  11. This Michoacan abuela has gotten a big buzz in a short time. See story here: https://hiplatina.com/mexican-abuela-traditional-recipes-youtube/ Really sweet and informative. The videos I have watched have Spanish closed captioning so they are also free language lessons! English closed captioning also available. The videos are short (under 5 minutes) and she cooks in her traditional outdoor kitchen, nothing fancy. Video link here, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJjyyWFwUIOfKhb35WgCqVg/videos
    1 point
  12. She might be using the Spanish word Hindú, that is an adjective and describes something from the country of India in Asia. Hindú (noun) can also be a citizen from the same country.
    1 point
  13. Or this other story which did the rounds a few years ago. A gringa is in a line, in a small tienda, in front of her is a Mexican mama with her of course adorable young son. The boy is acting up, wanting the candy which they always display at child's eye level at checkouts. The gringa interrupts saying that she would pay for the candy. The Mexicana says you don't understand, I can afford it, I probably have as much money or more than you do, I just don't my son to eat sugar at this time of the day!
    1 point
  14. Ah yes, the old brassiere burger at the Diarrhea Queen. Where I lived the Chinese restaurants did a booming trade making "chips" with gravy.
    1 point
  15. My lawyer told me a story. He was closing a substantial real estate between an American investor and a Mexican property owner. The American signed the agreement and carelessly tossed over the pen to the Mexican. The Mexican stared at him, walked out the office, and refused all attempts at apology. Yes, Mexico is a hierarchial society, but the glue which holds it all together is respect. What Henry did was not discrectful in any way. In fact many of these seniors that I have met, in learning more Spanish (they have the time and patience), often live with extended families and use the extra money to treat their grandkids. In which case a candy bar shared out would be a treat.
    1 point
  16. I don't think not just tossing change on the counter has anything to do with Mexican manners. I think it's poor manners anywhere.
    1 point
  17. When you are living in Mexico, you are living in a society that normally revolves around cash. It's quite common in the US and Canada for people to only carry debit and credit cards with them, no cash. But in those places, there aren't people asking to help you out or employed to bag your groceries who rely on tips. When in Mexico, the protocol is to always have some change in your pocket for this purpose. Get with the program. When in Rome....
    1 point
  18. Giving candy bars only has a 50% downside, it gives tremendous gratification to the "giver". Even giving a candy bar to my grand kids, would get my hand slapped and a retort of "where´s the green juice. grandpa?"
    1 point
  19. Of course I noticed. What I said still stands: take enough cash to give a tip to your bagger. How hard is it to stick 10-20 pesos in your pocket AND take your credit card?
    1 point
  20. THe kids who bag not only are not skipping school but many businesses give the jobs to the kids who have good grades.
    1 point
  21. For my customers who use Windows 7, and are not computer people as such, I recommend they stick with it. It is familiar, it works extremely well, and it is finalized. For those who want the latest, pretty much they have already updated to Windows 10. Those who are using Windows 7 are typically using email, sending photos, and chatting on Skype or something similar. Windows is a very expensive utensil just to use email, but it works. The only problem that will arise is from software makers who update their programs beyond the point where Windows 7 is technically capable of using them. For example, Internet Explorer 11 is the last version, and you will get constant reminders to update it with something else. Fortunately, there are lots of alternatives. However, some of those are also getting to much for W7 to deal with. Another example: newer versions of PhotoShop won't work on older versions of Windows. Solution? Don't update it. Don't update Office. Just use what you have that already works. And like I said, for security, there are tons of free antivirus programs out there.
    1 point
  22. Moderators, is there a way to keep old posts for informational purposes but lock them from further commenting and being dragged to the forefront. Most of them contain outdated or inaccurate information. As you know businesses and services can be very fluid here particularly in the off season. Surely your technical person can write a code to do it automatically. I know it can be done.
    1 point
  23. Thanks. Some people don't feel they should pay for what they receive. Why can't the "government" just print some more money so I don't have to chip in? Does "Clueless" fit this situation?
    1 point
  24. How about "signs" now being referred to as "signage". Lots of baby talk, too. I wore sweatshirts with hoods when I was a teenager. They were called hooded sweatshirts, now they're "hoodies". My babies wore sleepers. Now they're "onesies". A photograph you took of yourself was called a self-portrait, now it's a "selfie". Adults talking like 4 year olds.
    1 point
  25. Jerry Mundel and his lovely wife Linda took me to Teocintle Maiz on Constitucion to celebrate the publication of his book, Eating Out in Ajijic. I had the baked trout with veg, in foil. It was excellent. I have no idea what kind of trout. It may have been mentioned on the menu board; I don't recall. It didn't matter: it was a lovely reddish, firm fish. Delicious. So, one more place to try.
    1 point
  26. Nobody eats more salmon than me when on Vancouver Island. We usually buy it from natives. But I like the "Steelhead" I am getting from Costco better. Steelhead is not a real salmon even if people call it salmon. Steelhead starts its life out as a Rainbow Trout. If the Rainbow Trout migrates to the ocean, it becomes a Steelhead. There was always a hot debate if steelhead is a salmon or trout. I think it has settled right now that It belongs to the same species as rainbow trout — Oncorhynchus mykiss — but it acts a whole lot like a salmon. In any case it is a good eating.
    1 point
  27. LOL……...From the title of the thread, it could be....."the best fish´n´chips of my life". That kind of begs a discussion about "fish´n´chips"
    1 point
  28. OK....speculation time over. I talked with Sra. Cecilia (we're reasonably close neighbors) and she said she has terminated her service for health reasons which she disclosed, but that's nobody else's business. Her husband owns a little store, Super Luz, at the corner of Ramon Corona and Ramon Velazquez in SAT and he says he will try and have berries etc. there on Fridays and Saturdays. But it's a little out of the way for most. No.... she has no plans to return...... and will miss her!
    1 point
  29. Not so...... Leopoldo "Polo" Paz is the owner of Superlake. Gilberto Paz is the owner of Licores Paz. Brothers, good relationship, but each has his own business. Their nephew Francisco "Pancho" is down in Riberas, also separate. A niece has Super Lara on the Plaza in SAT. Pancho´s father has Lety´s seafood restaurant in SAT. A third brother, Mario, used to have Mario´s restaurant in SAT, but now it is owned by his cuñado Jaime. A cousin Roberto Paz, has the pollería on Ramon Corona and his suegra has the cenaduria in the same block. Rose Bowl Mall, Leopoldo principal, and several minor relative partners. This is just the start of the Paz present day dynasty in SAT, and I could go on all night.
    1 point
  30. Dr. Evelyn Rodriguez comes to Chapala Med on Saturdays by appointment as well as my Guadalajara office during the week, also by appointment. She is a top anesthesiologist and pain management physicians who is on staff at CENTRO MEDICO de OCCIDENTE in Guadalajara. She has helped me manage my patients @ Lakeside and when they have been hospitalized in Guadalajara. Being an anesthesiologist she is on top of all the new and multi-modal therapies available here in Mexico for pain management.
    1 point
  31. Okay guys. Wow. I'll be sure to think twice before trying to be helpful in the future. Best wishes, Henry Laxen
    0 points
  32. Dear Liana, Did you notice the line where I said: "Sometimes I go in the store with just my credit card."? When I carry cash, I give cash. When I don't, I give candy. You are pardoned. Best wishes, Henry Laxen
    0 points
  33. Here is a helpful hint: Sometimes I go in the store with just my credit card. In order to tip the bagger, I buy a Snickers or Milky Way and give it to them when the are done. I always get a nice smile in return.
    0 points
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