Job Discussion Forums

[El Gallo]

Is it just me or do people in Mexico try to make simple things complicated? Two cases in point:

1. At a University where I was teaching, I needed the password for wireless internet access. After three weeks waiting for the IT guru, he showed up during my class one day and, instead of just giving me the "clave", he began changing all the advanced settings on my computer including the IP address, etc. I tried to explain that my PC worked well with other wireless networks but to no avail. (I never did get access)

2. I needed a coupling to connect two 1/2" pieces of tube together for my outdoor fountain. At the hardware store, the "hydraulic technician" began piecing together many different couplings and connections, some actually reducing the diameter of the tube and the water flow in the process. He then wanted to see the pump to determine if it would work well (I already had another one and knew it would.) He was really annoyed when I asked for a simple connector a piece of tube to go with my pump part. They all fit perfectly and I told him that was what I wanted to buy. Thank you.

I've noticed this before, especially in government agencies. It is part of the culture or my imagination? Are people just trying to be helpful or do they do this to try to control others, feel important, or do they just like saying no or making things more difficult. Have any of you experienced this in Mexico? What do you think?

[MELEE]

I think they are trying to be helpful and they assume that you need/want help.

I've learnt that you when ever possible, try not to reveal what you want items you are purchasing for. People who work in these shops tend to have specific ideas about what things are for. Best if you can walk into a shop and ask for the item by name with authority.

Another example is the fabric shop. If you walk in and let on that you want some fabric for curtains, they will hustle you over the X row of "curtain fabric" and if you want to be shown some other fabric you will be told, but that's not for curtains.

[Phil_K]

Yes, it's true. it's part of the culture!

1) The Paris Pharmacy in downtown DF is a great example. It is popular because it's cheap but the procedure is like this. Make a line at one counter to be given a docket for your purchase. Make another (very long) line to pay. Then go to another counter to collect. Maybe it's my Englishness, but I would rather pay a bit more to do the transaction at one counter!

2) I lived in Delegation Miguel Hidalgo. I bought my car in Benito Ju�rez and I had to collect the plates in a cattle market in Iztacalco. In England they come with the plates attached!

[MO39]

[Guy Courchesne]

I always figured it was a control thing, to keep employees from pocketing money somehow.

[New Haven]

I think it's to provide jobs to people who would not otherwise be employed. Along those same lines I notice at Wal-Mart and other stores here in Merida there are numerous young people -- mostly attractive women -- standing around, looking very official in their uniforms, and usually doing absolutely nothing.

[Dragonlady]

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[Mike S.]

Other examples:

1. I teach at a stove manufacturing company and arrive at 7:30 AM in the morning. There are several young women vigourously mopping the floor, but when I go to the bathroom it's completly filthy and the putrid stench
of human feces permeates the atmosphere and when I go to the sink to wash my hand, I notice that there is never any any soap in the dispenser.
In other words, as long as we're looking busy, no one will force us to clean the bathroom or refill the soap. Or perhaps because they are women, they aren't allowed in the men's room.

2. The ''Paqueteria'' at all the supermarkets except Wal-Mart also function as ''complainerias'' which means that you have to wait up to 5 minutes to get your friggin mochila from the surly ''paqueteristas'' behind the counter!

[Dragonlady]

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[Mike S.]

Correction: Mana�a means next month in Mexico.

[TheLongWayHome]

[MO39]

[Guy Courchesne]

[Samantha]

May I ask why you are still here in Mexico? It doesn't appear to suit some of you. Could it be that you remain here because YOU also don't have to work quite as hard as you would in your home country? Mexico is what it is and some of LWH's recent comments would indicate a curious lack of cultural understanding. What's up with that?

[Phil_K]