Comments on: The Cost of Living in Latin America: The Gringo Tax

By: Javier

Javier — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:08:43 +0000

I’m from Uruguay, and I agree with you

By: Wilbur

Wilbur — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:57:21 +0000

You are the xenophobic one… lumping all of Latin America together and all Latin people together.

Yes, there are a few bad apples that take advantage of others (ie: gringos) and yes, it is much more common in certain Latin countries than others… there are also some where it almost never happens… spend some time in Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay before you write something that you apply to ALL of Latin America.

By: Beck

Beck — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:53:46 +0000

If you want to get away from the Gringos, you should go to inland China.

By: JOE

JOE — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:37:01 +0000

I’m not Mexican, but how does one get away from the damned Gringo altogether. In Spain, they were not even a thought, but I need some other places to get away from the bastards.

Any idea Appreciated.

By: enrique

enrique — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:38:24 +0000

After living many years in Latin America I’ve come to accept these petty ‘surcharges’ in a benevolent philosophical way that avoids stress and makes me feel good.

Many, if not most day to day transactions are with people just scraping by, on the ‘margin of existence’. The few pesos or colones, they add on might just make the difference between them [or family] eating that day.

Compared to them, we correctly perceived as w- e – a – l – t – h -y!

It’s a small price to pay for living inexpensively in nice tropical places, among people who aren’t angry all of the time.

I’m far from wealthy, [$500 momth Soc.Sec] but I don’t mind sharing and helping out when I can. I only hope for the day their leaders will take the responsibilty to implement govt. sponsored “family planning”. This lack is the root of their impoverishment.

By: Eduardo Robinson Olvera

Eduardo Robinson Olvera — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:57:18 +0000

I’m a cross-cultural, dual citizen with Mexico, although I look like a 100% “gabacho”. Much of what the article says can and does happen at times, but not all the time. I would suggest people follow simple rules, like be respectful and don’t cop an attitude that you expect them to automatically try to “tax” you. Mexicans are very perceptive of one’s attitude towards them. Make all important transactions perfectly clear before parting with money. If you speak good Spanish and know the culture well, that helps a lot. Don’t be an “Ugly American”. Study up a lot before you go.

By: Tim Hogan

Tim Hogan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:54:16 +0000

Wow! With all those terrible things happening, I’m surprised you still enjoy your time in Latin America. I’ve lived in Mexico and traveled extensively in Guatemala, and all the dire happenings that you cite are news to me. People can get ripped off anywhere, but you’ve condemned the citizens of a multitude of nations. Maybe it’s so in some of them (although I’m always skeptical of such blanket statements) but it ain’t true in Mexico or Guatemala, and I’d be surprised to learn that it’s different in any other country. You may, in fact, be victimized time after time, but it’s not simply because you’re a gringo.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:31:30 +0000

The article is absolutely right on. All of the examples related have happened to me as I live and travel through Latin America. For Americans, I believe it is most blatant in Mexico because of the historically difficult relationship between the US and Mexico, but it occurs also to a lesser extent in other Latino countries.

The thing that amazes me is that there is no concept of “customer service.” None. It is the mentality of get as much as you can now because you may not be in business tomorrow. And this attitude also applies often to other locals, not just foreigners.

My experiences have caused me to advise other foreigners who are contemplating living in Latin America to by all means try it out, but do so because you want a nicer climate, lower cost of living, more slower paced tranquil lifestyle, etc. Don’t think for one minute however that the “red carpet” will be rolled out for you in any part of Latin America. Most Latinos will view you only as a potential “mark” for how much money they can extract from your wallet. Nothing personal however and you shouldn’t let it bother you…too much anyway!

By: stephen tassio

stephen tassio — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:11:40 +0000

I found in the Dominican Republic that gringo tax is not only levied on gringos but also dominicans that live outside the country.——-It’s just a money thing(greed)

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:59:40 +0000

Wow, sounds like Korea (South Korea)! Welcome to the developed country of internet everywhere still living in the early part of the 20th century or back to the 19th and longer can be a feature of the way Koreans view, talk about and treat foreigners.

I work in Korea. I was invited by their government to do so (ie they issued me a working visa). I am a resident. I pay the same taxes as Koreans and probably more as my employer handles all my tax issues and Koreans are notorious for tax avoidance scams but make sure t heir foreigner employee pays all that is due and some. Apart from the institutionalised discrimination such as in banks where they frequently tell us we can’t do this or that because it’s a special ‘rule’ for foreigners even when the relevant govt. dept has said no it’s not, there are a no. of ways of discriminating against foreigners including charging them extra.

Everywhere I go in South Korea (including the small city where I live) at various places I have to pay a waygugin (foreigner) tax of extra money added on because I have a white face. If I had a black or brown face it would also happen. It just sucks to experience this backwardsness in a country that is eagerly promoting itself as a developed country and has all the trappings but a nasty below the surface reality of hostility to foreigners.

The foreigner tax happens at pc rooms (net cafes), in the local stores, outside my city, at restaurants in Seoul, nightclubs etc. Not every Korean business person does it but it happens fairly frequently. My response is to tell them in Korean that I live and work in Korea, do not discriminate against me when I am giving you business, and don’t worry I won’t be back and I will spread the word about your discrimination against me.

The Korean excuse is they think we are tourists but you should ask them if it’s okay to charge any Korean anywhere in the world a Korean tax. Sometimes you have to be careful when you think of countries like Korea as first world. In visible ways they are, in their mentality sometimes they are not.

By: Andy Neill

Andy Neill — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:08:33 +0000

Hi there!
This article is right on!!!
I have lived in Fortaleza, Brazil for almost 6 years.
It is also a big lesson learned the hard way by many, not only from the US but from Canada as well. Most Brazilians, for example, equate all North Americans with Gringos!
Two of the most important things are never pay for anything in advance, and when using a taxi, always try and bargain. If the driver is not working, they often will work on an amount negotiated with them. Of course you have to have a good idea of what the correct amount should be.
For example from where I live to the airport should be no more than R$50, but sometimes you can find a driver who will get you there for R$35.
And always get a receipt for any sizeable transaction! If it’s really big, and you are doing it in Brazil, you might want to take it to a Cartorio, the Brazilian version of a Notary Public, for their stamp. This way, it’s REALLY legal.
Andy