Many people say religion, abortion and politics are topics one should avoid discussing in public. I think I would add tipping to that list! Tipping, both in Mexico and the U.S., was a pretty straightforward affair for years — that is, until the pandemic. What used to be a generally accepted 15% in the U.S. became … 18%? 21%? 24% or more? No purchase, no matter how minor, seemed free of a tip request.
Here in Mexico, tipping has also gotten more complicated for a number of reasons. Since the COVID pandemic, there has been increased awareness about the wages of service workers, and many people have raised their standard tip from 10% to 15%.
More foreigners spending more time in Mexico has also put upward pressure on tipping practices. This trend has not always been well-received by some locals who feel that they are being pressured to tip more or receiving lower quality service due to what their tip is perceived to be. Obviously, that creates an uncomfortable situation.
There is also the debate as to the rationale behind higher tips. Some people say, “If I have the money and I want to give it, who cares?” Others, meanwhile, seek to be cognizant of local norms, seeing that as a form of respect for the culture.
So who’s right? What is standard? And who else besides restaurant servers in Mexico are supposed to be tipped?
Check out our recent article here: Mexico and My Money: The tricky business of tipping in Mexico
And the latest episode of our Confidently Wrong podcast here:
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
