Job Discussion Forums

[Flo]

Everyone is right when they say stuff is expensive in Mexico. Some stuff is cheaper than the U.S., but a lot of stuff is exactly the same price. The one guarantee is that salaries in Mexico are a lot lower.

With that said, I am trying to get information on food coupons. Can all teachers get them? What are they called? How can I find out more? We have asked our bosses but are now convinced that they aren�t concerned about whether or not we have food to eat.

Thanks in Advance!

[moonraven]

Vales de dispensa--food coupons--are purchased by employers from private companies. They are not an obligation under the Ley Federal de Trabajo. It's hard to believe your employer doesn't pay you enough that you can eat!?

[MixtecaMike]

I have to agree with Moonraven on this one, they are a part of the benefits package in some jobs, but not all. Usually only in places employing a LOT of people, and even then sometimes only to given to unionised workers. If you were going to get vales from your boss you would have gotten them already.

You'll just have eat tortillas with salt, or maruchan noodles until pay day, I guess. Sorry.

[moonraven]

Flo--a word of completely unsolicited advice: complaining about the cost of the FM-3 and chasing your boss around about vales de dispensa--with the tone of whining about not having food to eat that I hear in what you wrote today--are both really good ways to already be off on the wrong foot in this culture. If you didn't discuss these elements during the hiring process, I suggest you lower your profile way way down and just get to work.

[MixtecaMike]

Flo, please ignore the above unsolicited and totally irrelevant piece of Moonraven nastiness.

[moonraven]

Mike, I think Flo is more than capable of taking my advice or leaving it. I indicated that it was unsolicited. As to its irrelevance, she will have to decide. There was no nastiness intended whatsoever--merely a very concerned heads up from someone who hasn't spent 12 years in Mexico without learning a little somethng about how things work here.

[lozwich]

I think you can get by on 40 pesos per week of vegetables, a bag of rice, pasta (which is about 15 pesos) and various herbs and spices you find around the place. Fruit and veg are so cheap in Mexico, and pretty good quality, why not just eat plainly for a while? Also tinned beans are more expensive (although also more convenient) than the dried ones, but if you soak then boil your beans (you can safely use tap water for that, if you can't afford bottled) and buy a kilo of tortillas for about 5 pesos from the tortilleria, you have a good nutritious meal.

I found the stuff I could buy with the vales wasn't really stuff I wanted to eat anyway, and used to use mine for soap and things like that.

Good luck,
Lozwich.

[ls650]

[Flo]

Thanks for the information. And Moonraven, this just confirms to me that you are NASTY! I am only trying to save a few bucks and wanted some information. My bosses want to give us food coupons instead of part of our salary. This is the only reason I asked.

I have spent over $2000 getting to Mexico and renting a house. I have had to loan money to all my roommates since we are all broke. It will take us months to recover our losses, if we ever do. Meanwhile, we have no furniture and no applicance.

To answer Is659�s question, I managed to get to Mexico with the money I saved while I worked in Peru. It amazes me to think that one can make a living in a dirt poor, poverty striken country like Peru, but has to eat street food and live terribly in a more advanced country like Mexico.

I have been eating street food for about a dollar a meal and haven�t thrown up or gotten the revenge yet. Hope it holds up. I also am buying bottled water for 20 pesos per week since my �potable tap water� is contimated with rust, motor oil, and a variey of insect species.

Flo

[MixtecaMike]

Tap water is often a good conversation starter, here in H_______ de Leon they don't even try to pretend it's "agua potable", rather "agua por uso humano."

Mexico City tapwater is drinkable, at least in the central delegaciones, it tastes like 25% cloro and often gave me a slight stomach pain, but no unwanted gastric side-effects.

Hope things pick up for you and your workmates soon, Flo, at least you know that if things are so bad they can only get better. They probably will, there's enough demand for English teachers here so that if one place gives you too much grief you can probably find a less terrible place to work.

ls650, you are forgiven for siding with our friend Ms. Raven, I think I actually agreed with her first post here.

[MELEE]

Last night I was thinking that it sounds like Flo might have accepted a "burger flipping job" when she thought she would be a "sous chef"

[moonraven]

Flo,

You may find me nasty if that makes you feel more at peace with your lot, but I fail to see that I or anyone else on this forum forced you to come to Mexico. If you continue with your negative attitude, a bright future is NOT going to open up for you here. You and your roommates will continue "to stew in your own juices"--to quote delacosta's description on a previous thread of much of what you are experiencing here. Saying this does not mean I am not compassionate, but I think you would be a whole lot happier somewhere else.

[leslie]

Bye

[Flo]

There are a few people on this forum who know me personally. For the rest...you know nothing about me. Moonie (and the others) have no right or justification to tell me I am a whiner or whatever else. You can make your assumptions or opions, but why not just keep them to yourself?

I am not making my conclusion that Moonie is nasty by one single post; I have read her attacks and unnecessary rudeness to people on this forum for the last few months. In the end, I can only be happy that I am not working anywhere near her.

My roomies and I are happy with our decisions to come to Mexico. However, we want to be involved with all people of Mexico, and we chose not to take one of the high paying elite jobs. Perhaps we will have to eat street food for dinner, but we will have better experience and knowledge of the culture when we leave.

[moonraven]

I have no relationship to any religious cults, and would greatly appreciate your extending me the simple courtesy of not calling me "Moonie". I will not give you any more advice.