Tips?

[Band07 374]

So I've been to Mexico numerous times to vacation and I always tip even at all inclusive resorts where they say it isn't "necessary" but I have no idea how this works at the hospitals in Mexico and I even read that it's appropriate to tip your coordinator. Can someone help me out with what is the norm?

Thanks!

[Bluesea71 698]

It will be interesting to see what other's say. I'm post surgery (and didn't have it done in Mexico) but travel to Mexico a lot. I tip generously when I vacation there. Mexican citizens are often some of the hardest working people and their wages are a joke compared to what we make in the United States. A typical bell boy in a hotel makes about $17 US dollars a day working a 8 hour shift. If you feel you are getting good service, compensate them for it. As a bonus, they will likely step up their game. I even had waiters go out of their way to find my favorite soda for me when it wasn't offered at our resort. Drinking soda was pre-surgery, of course!

Edited March 19, 2015 by Bluesea71

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I didn't tip anyone at OCC (the clinic where I had my surgery), except the driver who picked me up from the airport and took me across the border. I tipped at the hotel and I tipped the hotel shuttle driver who took me back and forth between the hotel and the clinic.

[Jesser 295]

Are we supposed to tip in the hospital?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

Are we supposed to tip in the hospital?

That would seem weird to me.

[Bluesea71 698]

I would agree that tipping hospital staff would seem a tad weird. Especially from American standards where it isn't the norm. I don't know... Those of you who had surgery already in Mexico would be the experts! If It was me and I had a specific nurse who I thought was providing excellent care (and I wanted to tip) I may say, "I really appreciate everything you have done, would you accept a tip?" I have sent flowers and cards to hospital staff in the US after a surgery or hospital stay. I don't see this as being much different. I don't know... I guess there's something in me that knows how hard people in Mexico work and how little they make. You will likely notice the same nurse or staff being there the whole time you're there. Working 6 days a week is the norm. They don't have the same laws protecting their workers as we do. $20 or $40 isn't much to me but it could possibly go along way in providing for their family. In short, I don't think you are expected to tip but like any service you receive that you appreciate, make sure you show gratitude in some way. Even if it is just with a smile and saying "gracias" ????

Edited March 18, 2015 by Bluesea71

[Band07 374]

I agree it would be weird as well but as some of you mentioned I know the rate of pay there can be quite low and I just wanted to make sure I was appropriate. What about tipping the coordinators ?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I agree it would be weird as well but as some of you mentioned I know the rate of pay there can be quite low and I just wanted to make sure I was appropriate. What about tipping the coordinators ?

I never met my coordinator when I went to TJ for my sleeve surgery. I was taken to the clinic where I met the office administrator, the nutritionist, the cardiologist, several nurses, Dr. Ortiz (my surgeon), the anesthesiologist, and the radiologist, none of whom I tipped.

When I went to TJ several years ago for plastics, I spent LOTS of quality time with my coordinator, my surgeon, and all of the recovery house staff. I didn't tip any of them either.

[Kindle 8,667]

I tipped the hotel staff (maid, bell hop, shuttle driver and waiters) a couple bucks each day. I tipped our OCC driver at the end of our trip $20 U.S. Plus all our extra pesos....probably another $10 worth.

[Beachlovinloser 8]

This is a great question. Something I had wondered too. What will happen to your luggage and cash while you are in surgery? I wonder if there is a safe place for everything??

[Kindle 8,667]

This is a great question. Something I had wondered too. What will happen to your luggage and cash while you are in surgery? I wonder if there is a safe place for everything??

I only took a small bag with my wallet, contact lens stuff, iPad, phone, chargers, and toiletries with me to the surgical center. We all had private rooms so it just stayed in there while I was in surgery. There was actually double entrance security at OCC....key code to get into the building and key code to get into the surgical/patient rooms area so I felt everything was perfectly safe. Once back at the Marriott, there was a safe in our room for valuables. I kept my passport, extra cash and iPad in there when I went out for walks. My regular luggage was just in the room like any other hotel.