Boat towing Bribery and Mexico

Posted By: Tom Reubens
Date: 10/29/07 6:28p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: more info (Tom Reubens)

When your towing a large pleasure craft in Mexico you are saying "I'm a gringo with large amounts of discretionary income." You may be stopped for any number of trumped up charges, or laws you broke unknowingly. you can drive down dozens of times or more no trouble, then get hit twice in one block. (personal experience) When towing through Hermosillo, Sonora stay in the right hand lane DON'T go into the left lane to pass, it's illegal, even if it's a stopped car, use your horn lightly, or wait. (another personal experience) You may get away with it or BAM la mordita (little bite). If pulled over ask what the problem is, how much the fine is etc. The officer will confiscate your drivers license and you won't get it back until you appear in court. This can take a lot of time from your vacation. It's all done on 'Mexican time." Count on 1-2 days easy. Weekends 4-6 days. Plus you pay much more cash out of pocket. If bribery strikes you as immoral ok do it your way. I say when in Rome.... Use discretion when offering a bribe. Remember both you and the officer are doing something illegal. Don't flash your wad, act arrogant, or like an uppity gringo. Remember Mexico is a very polite society from the poorest, to the richest all are super polite. Say something like "Please senor is there another way to take care of this." In Spanish, Hay por favor otra manera de tomar cuidado de este señor. Or "Please could you take care of this for me?" ?Podría usted tomar por favor el cuidado de esto para mí? He will tell you the "fee." Bargain if you want, I have done so with success. Don't bargain with the Policía de Judicial, or Federales, often no uniforms are worn by these hombres, unless you have very big huevos,(balls) a silver tongue and good Spanish, or you are a beautiful woman. Pay and get out of there muy pronto. I've never had a problem with the Army. When passing the payment palm it, or slip it to him discretely. Another tack is act the stupid gringo bit. You could ask to speak with his superior and wait him out. He may let you go rather than have his superior know he's shaking down tourist. You may end up paying both, and any others that show up on the scene. Like in the U.S.A. the more "hash marks," gold slash stripes, on the officers lower sleeve, the more seniority on the force, act accordingly. Many Mexican cops are on the force as long as the current local administration is in office. The bribe money is their retirement fund. Contrary to your thoughts at the time, thank them when it all done. They are underpaid, overworked and do a very dangerous job. Show them respect, they deserve it.