Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

[jfurgers]

In the Perisur mall one cannot talk on their cell outside of a bank. You have to be away from the banks if you're going to be talking on it. Same for inside the bank.
No talking on your cell. I think it's because two guys could be doing this to rob someone after they leave the bank. One guy in the bank calls his pal who is outside of the bank and tells him which person just made a nice withdrawl then they could rob the person.
A couple of days ago my wife,her student and I were in the Scotiabank and she had her sunglasses on. The teller told her she has to take them off while in the bank.
I guess they're worried about bank robbers or people who may try to do an express kidnapping after one leaves the bank. And if your cell rings while you're in the bank you can't answer it.
I like the security measures they have at the banks. It's sad that they have to do that but at least they have measures that can help protect their customers.

[thelmadatter]

[notamiss]

Re security measures in banks, many if not most banks have pictoral signs up showing the three main things you can't use inside the bank: No sunglasses, No cell phones, No caps (the visor blocks the view of the user's face from the security cameras).

[Samantha]

It's not just in Mexico City, either. Our local banks have signs showing no cell phones, but they also enforce the sunglasses and baseball cap rule. The downtown HSBC bank has a robbery-prevention door with an automatic mechanism that contains people in a little glassed-in lobby between the street door and a secondary door to the inside. If one door is open the other won't open. The tourists get confused when they try to enter the bank (or leave) because they don't understand the instructional recording whch plays when a door first opens.

[JakeJakeJake]

Just my two cents. Ive only been here for a couple of months but I feel pretty much safe in Mexico City. I feel safer than being in Manchester, England thats for sure. In manchester, I fear for my safety walking at night. I feel comfortable here walking centrally, anytime.

I havent had an intimidating situation. I now live just north of Condesa so its very safe, though before I lived in Santo Domingo for 6 weeks, a poorish neighbourhood. Many mexicans suck their teeth when I tell them that saying it is a dangerous area for foreigners. Well thats a load of bollocks to be perfectly honest, I felt safe the whole time.

Just a observation....in terms of attitudes, I was never called gringo once in 6 weeks in Santo Domingo.....i was an object of interest and the occasional giggle.... but Ive been called gringo and pinche gringo about 6 times in 10 days living near Reforma.

[Mrs L]

[MO39]

[El Gallo]

[kosherpickle]

[Samantha]

Natives?

[Guy Courchesne]

[Prof.Gringo]

One of my students was the victim of an express kidnapping a few months ago. And earlier this week, his car was broken into in the middle of the night in front of his house. he lives on a gated street in a better than average area. His radio, speakers and all four of his tires/rims/hubcaps were stolen along with the spare tire as well.

Kidnapping is out of control. Thankfully, mostly poor foreign teachers living here don't seem to be targets, yet. I don't think that other types of crime are all that bad here.

Sometimes, I wonder if things would be better if common citzens were able to own guns and fight back legally. I think that these "express" kidnappers would think twice if more people were packing heat and were ready to use it.

I carry pepper spray anyways...

[Guy Courchesne]

[MO39]