Excellent response Rob.

I get tired of the taxi games. There are some super honest, good folks who we try to use regularly. There are others that play the game hard (i.e. never have change or pad the rates). Took me awhile to simplify the process and realize I needed to ask two questions before ever getting into a cab; "cuanto cuesta" y "tienes cambio"? Both being of equal importance.

Same reason we track every single item we order at beach restaurants. Want a tip, be honest with the bill.

We usually take four taxi rides each day. No problems, other than the odd cowboy who drives like it's the Indy 500, or the 20% of vehicles that not only should be taken off the road, but are at risk of losing their entire rear axles. Two or three times, we've been stiffed for a couple of pesos in our change.....not earth-shaking, but mildly irritating and actually kind of amusing. Each time it was after dark, I'd pay the 35 peso charge with a 50 peso bill. The driver would not turn on the interior light, but would rummage around in his change. A 10 peso and a 5 peso coin would be easy to discern, just by touch, but no, he would give me a fistful of smaller denomination coins. When I counted it later, it was a mixture of 10 and 50 centavo and 1 peso coins, 2 or 3 pesos short of the proper change. Did he know what he was doing? Of course.

I appreciate all the perceptions, opinions and shared experiences regarding our local taxis, but I just want to make clear that the overwhelming majority of taxi drivers are decent honest hard-working people who will go out of their way to provide a good service. Some have given us rides without charging when they didn't have change and our only money was a large bill. We always tell them to stop by the boutique later to get their money, but few have ever done so. Many taxi drivers know us personally, and we know many of them, some for decades. One even rescued me after I got mugged and smacked on the back of the head with a pistol and I was chasing after the culprits with blood running down my shirt. The bad apples are few and far between, and if one tells me he has no change I have no reason to disbelieve them. If one counts the change out wrong I have no reason to assume it's anything other than an honest mistake. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that they are simply ripping me off. They rip me off when they charge 60 pesos to go from the Irma to the Catalina on a holiday evening. Not by shortchanging me a few pesos miscounting change in the dark.

These are our friends and neighbors, and no matter what we may think of their unions and the shenanigans the unions pull, such as calling for blocking someone carrying passengers in a non-taxi vehicle, the drivers themselves deserve the benefit of the doubt. Most have wives and children if not also parents to care for. It's not their fault the government issues too many permits. It's not their fault criminals try to extort from them. Several have been murdered over the years including some tortured with extreme and unimaginable brutality. But this is where we make our collective living.

I've tried explaining here previously that the taxis from certain sitios have different rate sheets, and when they pick up a fare on the roadside they only have a general idea of the "street" rates because they are sometimes complicated. But generally if you know the rates from the Centro of Zihuatanejo or the shopping district of Ixtapa to some of the outlying colonias then you simply add the rates together for more complicated rides, such as from Pelícanos in Ixtapa to La Madera in Zihuatanejo.

Please don't demonize, dehumanize or assume the worst about them. They aren't the bad guys.

Excellent response Rob.

I get tired of the taxi games. There are some super honest, good folks who we try to use regularly. There are others that play the game hard (i.e. never have change or pad the rates). Took me awhile to simplify the process and realize I needed to ask two questions before ever getting into a cab; "cuanto cuesta" y "tienes cambio"? Both being of equal importance.

Same reason we track every single item we order at beach restaurants. Want a tip, be honest with the bill.

We usually take four taxi rides each day. No problems, other than the odd cowboy who drives like it's the Indy 500, or the 20% of vehicles that not only should be taken off the road, but are at risk of losing their entire rear axles. Two or three times, we've been stiffed for a couple of pesos in our change.....not earth-shaking, but mildly irritating and actually kind of amusing. Each time it was after dark, I'd pay the 35 peso charge with a 50 peso bill. The driver would not turn on the interior light, but would rummage around in his change. A 10 peso and a 5 peso coin would be easy to discern, just by touch, but no, he would give me a fistful of smaller denomination coins. When I counted it later, it was a mixture of 10 and 50 centavo and 1 peso coins, 2 or 3 pesos short of the proper change. Did he know what he was doing? Of course.

I get tired of the taxi games. There are some super honest, good folks who we try to use regularly. There are others that play the game hard (i.e. never have change or pad the rates). Took me awhile to simplify the process and realize I needed to ask two questions before ever getting into a cab; "cuanto cuesta" y "tienes cambio"? Both being of equal importance.

Same reason we track every single item we order at beach restaurants. Want a tip, be honest with the bill.

Interesting, thanks! That answers a lot of questions.

We have to meet.

SI....All three of us should!

D

We have to meet.

Is that how it works? We wonder regularly about "stuff" and the way taxis work is one of them. So they pay the owner 300p a day to use the car, put in the gas, and hopefully make enough to live on. That makes it sound like a living can be made.

How can the car owner make it? Do they get a percentage too?

We'd love to know more.

I know another driver who pays 1,000 a week to drive as much as he wants. Better deal but he is reliable so the owner can count on him to work. 1,000 to 2,100 a week for owning the car and whatever they pay the syndicate. A bribe here and there....

How can the car owner make it? Do they get a percentage too?

We'd love to know more.

The defense rests, your honour.

Love that holier than thou club that look down their nose at anyone who tips less than 20%. 10% is customary. You do you. I'll do me. This isn't Canada or the US

Since you are so concerned that Zihuatanejo is "not Mexico or the US," , my understaanding is that the "customary" amount is "0." Local folks only tip when an extra service is provided, for example helping with luggage, bags, etc.

You sir are absolutely right. I have lived in 4 cities in Mexico over the last 8 years and the rate is the rate. Helping with groceries, luggage, etc., is where a tip becomes involved.

However 300 pesos a day for the car plus gas; it takes a lot of 35 peso rides to make any money. Many of them drive from 7 am to midnight.

So which is it? First you crap on anyone worried about 15 pesos, then you agree that "the rate is the rate" , and a tip warranted only when some extra services have been provided.
I, for one, am sick of other people telling me what and what not to do with my money. You want to tip 10%, 15%, 20% or 30%, go ahead, if it makes you feel righteous. I'm not interested.

The point about the money and the tip is not to tell you what to do nor to seek any personal piety but to hope you will act responsibly in a culture that may have different customs, mores and values than where you are from. Actions have consequences, and the actions of a few can have consequences for many. When forasteros throw money around on taxis like they have it to waste, one common effect is taxi drivers start to gouge more and to do so more boldly. Same thing happens when forasteros get loose with their money in a certain restaurant, next thing you know one or more waiters start gouging more people more boldly.

Hopefully bringing matters like this to the attention of our visitors will see those visitors act more responsibly so as not to foment more hardships for others, including the less fortunate. That's all.

Love that holier than thou club that look down their nose at anyone who tips less than 20%. 10% is customary. You do you. I'll do me. This isn't Canada or the US

Since you are so concerned that Zihuatanejo is "not Mexico or the US," , my understaanding is that the "customary" amount is "0." Local folks only tip when an extra service is provided, for example helping with luggage, bags, etc.

You sir are absolutely right. I have lived in 4 cities in Mexico over the last 8 years and the rate is the rate. Helping with groceries, luggage, etc., is where a tip becomes involved.

However 300 pesos a day for the car plus gas; it takes a lot of 35 peso rides to make any money. Many of them drive from 7 am to midnight.

So which is it? First you crap on anyone worried about 15 pesos, then you agree that "the rate is the rate" , and a tip warranted only when some extra services have been provided.
I, for one, am sick of other people telling me what and what not to do with my money. You want to tip 10%, 15%, 20% or 30%, go ahead, if it makes you feel righteous. I'm not interested.

I don't believe that one thing has anything to do with the other; different topics. It seems you are selecting posts just to pick a fight. Maybe you need a vacation.

Love that holier than thou club that look down their nose at anyone who tips less than 20%. 10% is customary. You do you. I'll do me. This isn't Canada or the US

Since you are so concerned that Zihuatanejo is "not Mexico or the US," , my understaanding is that the "customary" amount is "0." Local folks only tip when an extra service is provided, for example helping with luggage, bags, etc.

You sir are absolutely right. I have lived in 4 cities in Mexico over the last 8 years and the rate is the rate. Helping with groceries, luggage, etc., is where a tip becomes involved.

However 300 pesos a day for the car plus gas; it takes a lot of 35 peso rides to make any money. Many of them drive from 7 am to midnight.

So which is it? First you crap on anyone worried about 15 pesos, then you agree that "the rate is the rate" , and a tip warranted only when some extra services have been provided.
I, for one, am sick of other people telling me what and what not to do with my money. You want to tip 10%, 15%, 20% or 30%, go ahead, if it makes you feel righteous. I'm not interested.

Love that holier than thou club that look down their nose at anyone who tips less than 20%. 10% is customary. You do you. I'll do me. This isn't Canada or the US

Since you are so concerned that Zihuatanejo is "not Mexico or the US," , my understaanding is that the "customary" amount is "0." Local folks only tip when an extra service is provided, for example helping with luggage, bags, etc.

You sir are absolutely right. I have lived in 4 cities in Mexico over the last 8 years and the rate is the rate. Helping with groceries, luggage, etc., is where a tip becomes involved.

However 300 pesos a day for the car plus gas; it takes a lot of 35 peso rides to make any money. Many of them drive from 7 am to midnight.

Love that holier than thou club that look down their nose at anyone who tips less than 20%. 10% is customary. You do you. I'll do me. This isn't Canada or the US

Since you are so concerned that Zihuatanejo is "not Canada or the US," , my understaanding is that the "customary" amount is "0." Local folks only tip when an extra service is provided, for example helping with luggage, bags, etc.

If you're not sure of the fare then asking before you get in is the best policy. But if you know the correct fare then I think there's a better way. Instead of asking and allowing the driver to set the rate, right or wrong, you set the rate straight off. "Centro. 85 pesos, si?" At that point it becomes very difficult psychologically for even a dishonest driver to contradict you if he knows you're right. And even if he still wanted to cite a higher fare it would lead to a confrontation, which might not end well, and would certainly affect his tip. These are all the calculations he now has to make. Much easier for him to just admit that "Si. 85 pesos." is correct.

Why would you care about an additional 15 Pesos? Gotten in a cab in the States lately? Good grief people.

Please don't JUSTIFY, EXCUSE or DEFEND abuses by local taxi drivers. For those of us who make our humble living here every peso counts. Gracias. I don't care if the friggin' queen of England can afford to toss away 15 pesos. I certainly can't. And when you allow abusive drivers to rip you off it emboldens them to rip of others, including those of us they mistake for rich foreigners.

ESPECIALLY when taxi rates are about DOUBLE right here in Ixtapa/Z as compared to other neighbouring City's and States.

D

Man, you got that right. They don’t even pretend to justify their rates in Ixtapa. There it’s a pure and simple ripoff.

If you're not sure of the fare then asking before you get in is the best policy. But if you know the correct fare then I think there's a better way. Instead of asking and allowing the driver to set the rate, right or wrong, you set the rate straight off. "Centro. 85 pesos, si?" At that point it becomes very difficult psychologically for even a dishonest driver to contradict you if he knows you're right. And even if he still wanted to cite a higher fare it would lead to a confrontation, which might not end well, and would certainly affect his tip. These are all the calculations he now has to make. Much easier for him to just admit that "Si. 85 pesos." is correct.

Why would you care about an additional 15 Pesos? Gotten in a cab in the States lately? Good grief people.

Please don't JUSTIFY, EXCUSE or DEFEND abuses by local taxi drivers. For those of us who make our humble living here every peso counts. Gracias. I don't care if the friggin' queen of England can afford to toss away 15 pesos. I certainly can't. And when you allow abusive drivers to rip you off it emboldens them to rip of others, including those of us they mistake for rich foreigners.

ESPECIALLY when taxi rates are about DOUBLE right here in Ixtapa/Z as compared to other neighbouring City's and States.

D

If you're not sure of the fare then asking before you get in is the best policy. But if you know the correct fare then I think there's a better way. Instead of asking and allowing the driver to set the rate, right or wrong, you set the rate straight off. "Centro. 85 pesos, si?" At that point it becomes very difficult psychologically for even a dishonest driver to contradict you if he knows you're right. And even if he still wanted to cite a higher fare it would lead to a confrontation, which might not end well, and would certainly affect his tip. These are all the calculations he now has to make. Much easier for him to just admit that "Si. 85 pesos." is correct.

Why would you care about an additional 15 Pesos? Gotten in a cab in the States lately? Good grief people.

Please don't JUSTIFY, EXCUSE or DEFEND abuses by local taxi drivers. For those of us who make our humble living here every peso counts. Gracias. I don't care if the friggin' queen of England can afford to toss away 15 pesos. I certainly can't. And when you allow abusive drivers to rip you off it emboldens them to rip of others, including those of us they mistake for rich foreigners.

If you're not sure of the fare then asking before you get in is the best policy. But if you know the correct fare then I think there's a better way. Instead of asking and allowing the driver to set the rate, right or wrong, you set the rate straight off. "Centro. 85 pesos, si?" At that point it becomes very difficult psychologically for even a dishonest driver to contradict you if he knows you're right. And even if he still wanted to cite a higher fare it would lead to a confrontation, which might not end well, and would certainly affect his tip. These are all the calculations he now has to make. Much easier for him to just admit that "Si. 85 pesos." is correct.

Why would you care about an additional 15 Pesos? Gotten in a cab in the States lately? Good grief people.