[Dog Gone]

In some Central American countries, a small tip to a government employee might expedite whatever you're trying to do. It's a little annoying, but you're not bribing them into doing something illegal, it's not much money, and they'll eventually process you without the "tip".

In Mexico, the police will steal your stuff and when you file a complaint they will offer to find it for you for a reward based on the value of the item. They find it right away.

Mexico is utterly corrupt, and everybody in the Western Hemisphere knows it. You're fine in the gringo destinations like Cancun and Acapulco as long as you stick to the main tourist areas. The prices are 50 times higher than they charge for comparable amenities for Mexicans in other regions, but you'll be treated reasonably well.

Stray off the beaten path and you're at best pestered by beggars and con men, and at worst extorted or even killed.

[outinyellowdogcountry]

We have church friends who are natives of Mexico. They visited Mexico this past year. The Mexican bandits called border patrol seized their family van claiming the paperwork was out of date. They had been told the paper work was okay before they left US. Agents wanted them to fork over major cash which they refused to do. The dad wanted to set an honest example for his small children and the cost may be the van. They do not have a lot of money but they are good people and they couldn't believe thier own country would pull this. They are trying to work within the legal system to solve it but they do not hold out much hope for getting the van back.