A young American friend of mine (we'll call him "David") was vacationing with a friend in Mexico when he got into a very minor fender-bender with a taxi, resulting in a small dent.
When David offered to exchange information, the taxi driver publicly and vehemently demanded $150 US. While David and his friend and the taxi driver were in their discussions, a police officer arrived at the scene. The police officer very publicly and vehemently demanded $300 US, the alternative being spending the holidays in a Tijuana jail. David did not have the cash on him, but the police officer offered to stay with his friend and the car until he returned with the money.
David went to the nearest ATM and withdrew the cash and returned with it. The police officer divided the money with the cab driver (David thought that the cabbie got the $150 he had originally demanded) and everyone went on their way.
Knowing that I have an interest in ethics, David's mother asked my opinion.
I hesitate to give one. Clearly, the young man was under quite bit of duress and his options were limited.
One could argue (and I often do) that when you're visiting a different culture, it's not your place to judge or attempt to change things unless someone is obviously being harmed. Maybe the legal system there is so corrupt that this was the best "justice" that could be expected. On the other hand, without some resistance, entrenched unethical situations never change. Perhaps a police officer that did not take bribes (which is apparently an entrenched system in Tijuana) would not long survive, and some police protection is better than none?
What would you advise? Should David, the cabbie, or the police officer have acted differently?
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11 comments:
I agree that under the circumstances that David's actions were understandable. We never drive a vehicle when traveling abroad, especially in Mexico. The government and everyone that is there to uphold justice is equally corrupt, it's a country that is filled with outlaws (I'm saying that even with family being of Mexican descent).
I'm happy to hear that David was able to escape with nothing more than his bank account being $300 less.
Thanks!
Everyone who cares about him (especially his Mom, I think) is really glad that he paid the fine rather than spend the night (or more) in a Tijuana jail!
There are reporters and others who go to jail for their ethics - usually contempt of court cases where they refused to compromise a source. But I think that's only really necessary when something more is at stake.
When in Rome. $300 USD is pretty cheap if you think about it. I don't know what it costs to fix a dent down there but up here you can't have a minor scratch and have it cost even close to $300. Of course the lesson learned is to never drive in a foreign country.
Yes, when in Rome! :-)
Sometimes. But then again, Rome changed eventually! At least we're not still throwing Christians to the lions. Not usually, anyway!
I agree that it's better than some places in the world where there is no justice whatsoever.
I'm just happy that he walked away unharmed.
I think your friend did the right thing. It was aggravating, sure, but if the system down is to change, it should be up to the natives to change it, not foreigners.
Back in Malaysia, it's common for the two parties to negotiate a settlement there and then, rather than go through the hassle of insurance (they don't want to lose the no-accident-bonus or whatever it's called).
What happened to David, however, is extortion, pure and simple. However, based on what goes on back home, I would have paid the driver, and settled it there and then, without waiting for the police. I'm rather surprised that in David's case the policeman jumped in on the extortion, blatantly sharing his gains with the driver.
Remind me not to drive in Mexico! :D
Thanks Lynne, Reg and Jacqueline - I agree. As much as it irks me to participate in extortion, a foreigner has little leverage or right to resist or try to change a system.
Remind me not to drive in Mexico! :-) I guess that's the real answer. Any place that is too corrupt or gets a horrible reputation will lose tourists and business travelers.
I almost always hire a driver when I'm somewhere else. Not only do they know how to get around, they also know the local customs and can usually help with sticky situations like this.
Paula, sometimes you are not left with much choices but bow down to such injustice. Had David try to revolt the whole scene would have been very upsetting for him.
Although I agree with you that without resistance unethical situations never change,I would like to point resistance calls for sheer boldness and readiness to face the worst situation without getting mentally disturbed in life.
You should be extremely careful when you go for holidays (best to avoid it altogether) in a third world country (that's any country outside the OECD) He did the right thing. You shouldn't resist while you are there or 1. the ransom money will increase, 2. you could be badly beaten, 3. you could get into jail and that's not a civilized jail, and 3. you can get killed ($100 is pretty good motivation for a murderer).
I agree that you have to resist but by 1. Insisting that your government doesn't spend your tax money on such corrupt regimes, 2. don't support corrupt regimes by spending your money there 3. get your government to block any assets of the corrupt people form those countries.
Excellent point, Wizard - I think that's probably the best "lever" we have to control corruption.
More people choose to do business and to spend time as tourists in places that have at least a minimum of law and order and human decency.
Countries that want a share of the global economy have to provide that in order to be full participants.
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