How much should I leave? Tipping in Mexico explained

I have a local (Mexican) friend with whom I just can’t go to restaurants anymore.

Why?

Because I’m annoyed by the way she treats the waiters.

It’s not my fault. First of all, I don’t think she’s nice and appreciative enough towards them. She might mumble disinterestedly “Thanks‘ when her order is brought to her, but she is quick to roll her eyes if she thinks a mistake was made or it took too long.

She also believes that tipping is optional (I’ve noticed that this view is more prevalent the higher up the economic ladder you are). I completely disagree, even if the service is subpar. Working as a waiter is hard, even if you’re not particularly good at it.

This probably has more to do with our different upbringings than anything else. She grew up in a family that pretty much always had enough money for her needs and many of her wants. I grew up in a family whose income was much closer to that of those who rely on tips.

However, my friend is not an isolated case. I became interested when I read Louisa Rogers’ article about her experiences as a director of Customer service training. On general behavior: “I was pleasantly surprised when you said that Americans and Canadians are quite forgiving when their expectations are not met. In your experience, it is Mexicans and Italians who tend to react more irritably.”

Well, that doesn’t surprise me. Or could it be that I just don’t know many rich and privileged people? farmers? Whatever it is, I have noticed it over the years: More Mexicans with a lot of money to spend than those without seem to feel entitled to free service. If the service is phenomenal, could Leave 10% remaining.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we foreigners should overcompensate. And I know that sometimes it’s hard not to do that.

We are brimming with politeness and a great willingness to help because we are in love (with Mexico, possibly a Mexican, or both). Calm down.

Yes, we well-meaning foreigners walk a fine line. On the one hand, there is a significant portion of Mexicans who believe that excessive generosity towards practical foreigners makes them not saints but idiots. After all, the situation here is so corrupt that a certain cynicism can easily creep in.

This means that some can easily view us as Polyanna jerks practically begging to be taken advantage of. And I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely not my intention.

So what should we do? I admit that I sometimes tip too much, but here I follow the example of my partner, who has spent much of his working life in the restaurant industry. “I always try to leave at least enough for a taxi.” (In our city, 40-50 pesos is enough for a taxi; if you live in Los Cabos, I wouldn’t recommend it, because no one who earns a waiter’s salary drives a taxi.) By the way, tips in restaurants are almost always divided among all the restaurant staff at the end of the evening.

For more information, see Janet Blaser’s detailed article on Tipping in Mexico for a concrete reference. I also have a history of concern for our collective Economic footprint. And of course, take notes on Bethany Platanella’s section on “Guilt and Over-tipping” in her “10 things gringos do that annoy Mexicans“-List!

Bottom line? Stay cool. Be nice. But try to keep your savior complex in check. People aren’t as impressed as you think.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator living in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached via her website: sarahedevries.substack.com.