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some waygug-in · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 339

Just thought I should share a little experience I had when I was travelling through Chiapas.

My friend and I were visiting Palenque, and we were staying overnight in the town before seeing the sites. We decided to enter a small bar for a drink or two. The place was almost deserted, except for a group of old codgers who were well intoxicated before we arrived.

We chose a quiet table and were content to just keep to ourselves, but next thing we knew, the old codgers has ordered us each an extra drink and had it sent over to our table. We thanked them as graciously as we were able and then went on about our business.
The old codgers seemed a bit miffed, I still have no clue what they were thinking, but there was one guy in particular that was giving me the evil eye and speaking loudly to his amigos. We decided to buy them a drink each as a gesture of friendship, but the mood didn't seem to change much.

Some local musicos had entered the place and they joined the old codgers at their table. The one guy still seemed angry. I thought that if I requested some music, it might brighten the mood a bit. The Mexicans' jaws almost hit the floor when I requested "una cancion de Jose Jose". And things seemed to get a bit friendlier after that. Very Happy

That was until we tried to leave: unexpectedly (to us anyway) we were being asked to pay for everyone's drinks in the place. Shocked

We tried to politely discuss this with the bar owner, but our explanations seemed to be making everyone angry.

We refused to pay for anything but the drinks we had ordered and quickly left.

I am still confused by this experience and I am just wondering if this is some sort of custom? Or were they just trying to scam us?

What do you think?

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

I no longer go to cantinas (or drink alcohol at all, for that matter) but I can say that every drunk I have ever met in the Mexican republic and most of Guatemala seems to have the idea that white folk want to talk to them.

Some of course ask for money, but in most cases they just want to talk. If they ask for money I just call them pinche mendigos, which usually works, but breaking off a conversation with "friendly" drunks seems to involve lots of smiling, nods, and handshaking.

Pretending you can't speak enough Spanish to understand them sometimes works, but often will just get you a free Spanish lesson, LOL.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Being a girlie, I haven't had the cantina-type problems you mentioned, but I would add that Palenque town is the weirdest, unfriendliest, unhelpfullest town I've ever been to in Mexico, and I've been lots of places here. Every shop I went into I was snarled at, and felt lucky to get out of there with the products I wanted. I went to the pharmacy for a problem, and was answered with the Spanish version of "So what??" and had to almost plead with the shop assistant to help me.

I think they suffer from tourist overload there, and quite often the dirty hippy variety, who looks very poor, but is actually rather cashed up, but not willing to spend it on the town.

Just my two bob..

Lozwich.

seanie · Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 54 Location: m�xico

One of my friends from Puebla told me about a group of foreigners being hacked to death in Palenque Smile

Anyway, I wanted to comment on some waygug-in's experience.

I think Mexicans, in general, are more flexible about paying than some of us are. For example, if I go out to eat with another foreigner, they (Mexs)find it strange that each person carefully scrutinizes the bill to determine the cost of what they consumed and pays accordingly. A lot of my Mexican friends would just split the bill and pay half.

Sometimes this tendency can work to your disadvantage. For example, once I was at a club with a party of four (including me). I had 2 beers, but "my" portion of the bill was 270 pesos. Another reason to avoid clubs.

On the other hand, perhaps - like me - some of you have been to wedding receptions where you didn't even know the bride or groom (this CANNOT happen in my country), but were dragged along by another guest. The largesse at such events is unbelievable....and I've never seen anyone turned away. You can stuff yourself, have seconds and thirds, and the alcohol flows freely. And - get this - they give you recuerdos (little prezzies) when you leave.

So I have this sense that if you stick around long enough, it all "cancels out".

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

some waygug-in · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 339

Thanks all for your thoughts on my experience. I am not sure I am any closer to understanding what happened there, I think Ben's thoughts about being a Gringo = being rich are probably closest to the truth, but quien sabe?

I did pay for the music, by the way. Cool

I didn't find the town particularly unfriendly, but I only stayed there 2 nights and one day.

The ruins were awesome. Well worth the trip, as far as dirty hippie types, well, yeah there were a lot of those. But I am not one of them.

All in all, I had a great trip to Palenque, with only the one dark spot to report. Sorry if others were less fortunate.

But you are right about it being a tourist trap kind of place. Most visitors come, stay one or 2 nights see the ruins, the museum, aguas azules and then leave never to return. I suppose this must get a bit grating on the locals. Confused

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

You don't have to be male to own a machete. I also own a machete. It's the Mexican equivalent of the Swiss Army knife.

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

Hmm....machete-carrying women. Useful as the tool is (I have one too), the image must scare the hell out of most Mexican men...and some Westerners too.

estanton · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 2:08 am Post subject: Re: macho men

Of course people in every society come in all types. I should have known I wouldn't have much to worry about.

basically I was wondering whether anyone had problems or issues around machismo in Mexico.

good that this doesn't really seem to have been the case.

I can't comment on machetes as a male or female tool because I haven't arrived in mexico yet.

They may be like Swis Army knives, but they sound intimidating to foreigners like me who have never seen one.

Again, thanks everyone for responding to my queries and taking off with your own comments and stories. This kind of firsthand info is very helpful!

estanton

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Machetes are not unique to Mexico. We used them on the farm when I was growing up in Washington State, so I was quite skilled with them before coming to Mexico.

thelmadatter · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:18 pm Post subject: machetes and machismo

I live near Mexico City and I have yet to see a machete. Guess theres not much call for one in the big city! Very Happy

Ive not had a problem with machismo, unless you want to include that guys insist on carrying stuff for me and my friend who is now visiting me. I mean, here we are walking practically the entire length of the MC airport, with "Antonio" loaded down with my friends luggage refusing to let her or I carry anything. I know its a different culture but we felt awfully guilty the whole time.

Kinda interesting watching my friend and her reaction to everything ... kinda like watching myself about a year ago...

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

A poor guy--campesino from Morelos--was arrested by the police in Mexico City last week during their MegaOperation--he's a gardener who was on his way to take the bus to Cuautla where he works and because he had a machete--tool of his trade--in his morral, the idiots arrested him!