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Well I tried to make it clear in my rant it's not every Canadian.. but it certainly is over half. And yes it was bizarre.
People here, people who live here anyway, get used to somethings being freakishly inexpensive. I took a lady out to a movie and dinner in Merida Saturday night. The movie theater we sat in is known as a "VIP" room. All the seats are about like a leather recliner you might have in your home and they electronically recline. There is a small table next to your seat and if you choose a waiter will bring you anything from beer, a mixed drink or even dinner. After the movie we went to an Italian restaurant had an nice meal and drinks. I never added it up but I'd guess the evening costs me less then $75. I know the movie tickets are $7 ea.
Anyway you end up with everyone, US, Canadians and even some Europeans debating or at times trying to barter down the cost of things that most people wouldn't even think about. For example trash here is picked up by independent guys who drive around in crappy pick-ups. You place you garbage bag in front of your house and they'll stop and yell at you to come pay them, you pay they take away your trash. Last summer my maid placed my bag out front one morning, later while I was floating around the pool I heard the garbage guy yelling. I grabbed 10 pesos, the normal fee, and went to pay the guy. He looked at the 10 peso coin and said "no, it's 14 pesos." We had a little back and forth and after a few moments I realized I'm arguing, in the hot sun with a guy over what amounts to 30 cents. I walked over to my truck and grabbed 5 more pesos and gave it to the man and said thanks. I've been paying that same guy 15 pesos ever since, he picks up my trash whether I'm here or not and he knows I'll always pay him if i missed him. Why was I debating about .30 cents? I have no freaking clue.
I will say one other thing back on the topic of Canadians and the "check." While it's true the majority of Canadians will not tip they also want to pay they share, exactly their share. The older they are the more likely this is to be true. I can not tell you the number of times I've been having breakfast somewhere and a Canadian will sit down, start talking and order coffee or juice. Most places I eat the coffee or juice is a 4-6 peso item. I don't think one has ever left without insisting on paying for their share. it's usually something like "I owe for the coffee, it's 5 pesos" "I got it they'll just add it to my check." "No, no I ordered it I'll pay for it. I only have a 10 peso coin, do you have change?" I always think "sure I've got a 5 peso coin or whatever, wouldn't want you walking away from that .38 cents you owe." Of course I'm the guy who, last summer, debated over 4 peso in the hot sun for several minutes... so what do I know?
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I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo
Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club
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