Job Discussion Forums

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Here's the new thread Samantha so rightly mentioned.

So, it seems like B&E's are actually fewer in Mexico, am I correct.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

Mexicans are not really an insurancy type of people. You know, people who like to pay money for something they will probably never need just in case they do.

I don't even have car insurance. Embarassed

I do have an type of insurance on my home--but against earthquakes, I was required to get it will my mortgage and I pay the grand total of 18 pesos a month for it.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Yeah, I think Mexico City is the same. Fire and earthquake insurance for homes, but I don't think theft is part of the package.

I'm surprised you don't have car insurance, but I assume you bought your car segundamano. Here, car dealerships usually offer an insurance package as part of the sale. One of the most common sights on Mexico City roads, apart from green VW bug taxis, are insurance agents on motorcycles. Funny they always get to the scene of an accident before the cops do.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Melee wrote:

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

He may not have his license but he does have some training, so I've heard. That training includes the situation where if he hits someone, to be sure to back over the person again. Pesero owner's association would prefer a one-time payout to a dead person's family than have to cover medical costs for an extended period. Same thing with taxi drivers. Sent a shudder through me the first time a driver explained it to me.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Our city buses are known for running over pedestrians and bicycles. The drivers, more often than not, jump off and run away because they know what lies ahead of them. The crime is not considered worse if they run. The other (less attractive) option is jail. A lawyer once told me that it's okay to "run away and wait till cooler heads prevail". I can't imagine any foreigner doing that, since they have insurance, but running is fairly common if you hit a pedestrian or cause great damage. If a driver kills someone with no insurance or money on hand, they will be in jail for a VERY long time.

A friend, here for just 4 days, got clipped by a bus when she stepped out into the street as the bus pulled away from the curb. Her fault, by her own admission, for not paying attention. She got knocked backwards onto the concrete and needed stitches in her head, so was taken to hospital. But the driver was taken to jail.

The driver's union came to the hospital twice to see how she was and how much the bill might be, so they could pay it. The police, on the other hand, told her she had to go to the holding jail to sign a release to allow the driver to go home to his family. Without that release, he wasn't getting out of jail anytime soon. She paid her own bills, and set the driver free. He still got fined, but the union paid that for him.

JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

wow!

Remember kids, stop, look and listen

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Yup. Good advice here when crossing a one-way street. Look both ways. Twice.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

I know autob�s but didn't know the word pesero. I went to wikipedia and did some reading. Seems like a pretty scary way to travel and Mexico City is trying to eliminate this method of transportation.

However, I assume it's a way for someone without much else in the way of skills to earn a living. But, it also seems like a very competitive business with the owner of the pesero raking in the profits and the driver picking-up the left overs.

Hence, the agressiveness of the drivers. And they are not regulated.

Well, thanks for the info. Ya learn something everyday.

I'm afraid of Mexico City anyway, I'll visit the big city when my Spanish is BICS instead of basic.

JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

stuff like this gets me even more excited.
I'll be arriving in a little over 11 weeks. Ive got so much to do!

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

The Mexico city government has been laying down Metrobus lines, to great effect. If anyone has been to Leon, you'll know what a metrobus is like. This system displaces many of the peseros.

Peseros aren't that bad though. You get to where you're going fairly quickly.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

I know an old lady who was run down by one of those garfon-of-agua delivery trucks not even half a block from her house.

(I think I've got the makings of a great folk song there.)

And it's hard to get more in the stix than I am and still find a EFL job!