| | | I was driving my jeep back to the city in Mexico with two Mexicans and a kid with no muffler was tail-gaiting me.
I slowed down and pulled over to let him pass, as I got back on the road the local constabulary pulled me over.
A fat unshaven middle age cop gets out of his car with a screwdriver and says you were speeding, he had no radar gun and says he will have to take my licence plate.
In Mexico they take your licence plate and you have to go to the oficina de licencia and wait in line for several hours, pay a fine and get it back.
Standing in line all day under a hot sun is a pastime in Mexico.
He explained he did not want to put me to all that trouble but was obligated to under the law, he then asked for a propina tip/bribe because he was an honourable fellow and wanted to help me out.
I handed him $20 US and we were on our way again, I told the Mexicans their country was completely corrupt and they should be ashamed of themselves.
The younger Mexican looked really hurt and the other one chirped in, he has to eat too...
And he was right, if they don't shake someone down a couple of times a week they and their families might not be eating.
A cop in Mexico earns about 15,000 pesos a month / $1000.00 US.
I was ok on that road for seven days, next week I get pulled over again by the same cop, this time he greeted me like a long lost friend, I paid the road toll and went on my way.
If you see this Nissan behind with lights flashing remember, $20 US is the limit.
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