If Americans visiting Mexico limit their tips to 20 pesos per bag and 20 pesos for taxi drivers as suggested in Traveler`s Briefing in the Dec. 16 Travel section, they probably will be subjected to a barrage of insults. At the current rate of more than 200 pesos to the dollar, the gratuity for porters would come to less than 10 cents U.S. per bag. I would recommend a minimum of 100 pesos or 50 cents a piece.
All bills for purchases, entertainment, restaurants and any kind of service will automatically add a 15 percent surcharge for the value added tax (in Mexico, I.V.A. for impuesto de valor agregado). This should not be confused with the percentage tacked on by many establishments for service. As in Europe, your waiter will take no offense if something else is added to increase the tip. Having resided in Mexico for many years, I can vouch that Mexicans themselves tend to be generous in their tipping.
More important in the case of taxis is determining the fare or rate in advance. Most taxis have meters but in all likelihood it will not be turned on.
