Download Episode! Today we are going to be talking with JR in PV about local the people of Puerto Vallarta and some funny quirks you find down here in Mexico. I’m pretty sure that the locals can say a few things about all of the gringos who have moved here and call this place home, if not permanently, maybe half of the year when most of their homes are under 10 feet of snow.  But we are going to be talking about the wonderful people of Puerto Vallarta. As have said before, it’s the friendly people of Puerto Vallarta that keep me coming back year after year. That and the food and the beauty and the..never mind. You know what I’m talking about. It was nice to meet with JR at his place instead of over the phone. His roommate was there doing dishes during the interview and I didn’t have the heart to interrupt her so sorry in advance for some of the background noise. It’s not too bad and it has the campy sound of being on location right? So let’s get to the conversation with JR in PV. JR agrees that the people of Puerto Vallarta are friendly and kind. The Mexican Family is very family oriented. There are very few homeless. Most people who are homeless or appear homeless are usually drugged up or alcoholics but they probably have a family. The children services called DIF.                                           He says that some of the places people think of as orphanages are actually shelters such as...  Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza and Casa Hogar   Traditions and Customs When you make eye contact with someone on the street, make sure you say Buenos Dias for good morning, buenas tardes when it is afternoon and buenas noches at night. Traditional things like the siesta have gone by the wayside in Puerto Vallarta because nobody wants to close during the busy tourist season, but some of the older establishments will close from 2-4 PM. But will close later. The tradition stems from the need to close during the hottest parts of the day. [caption id="attachment_700" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nightly Shows on The Malecon at Los Arcos Stage[/caption] Sundays there is another tradition in Puerto Vallarta  and that is a dance in the late afternoon and early evening there is a dance concert and ballroom dancing in the town Plaza, right next to City Hall. Very traditional. Funny quirks The word no is a funny word in Spanish. Directions especially. Ask five people to get the correct answer. This is familiar as taxi cabs don’t always know where something is. They know by landmarks.   Make sure you look out and make sure they take you to where you want to go. Download a map. Print out JR’s maps. Manana has many meanings. It doesn’t mean tomorrow, but it definitely won’t be today. Bad air on the bus. The people close the windows because moving air is thought to be detrimental. Taxi Taking Tips Tipping taxi drivers. You shouldn’t tip taxis because they tend to skip over a local in favor of a tourist because they are more apt to pay more and tip. Consult their concierge at the hotel to see what rate you should be paying. Make sure you decide on a price before you get in the taxi. Otherwise you are at the whim of the driver. Tipping is okay if the driver helps you with your luggage or helps you with your packages, but don’t tip unless they earn it for the benefit of the locals. JR explained the difference between the Federal taxis and the other taxi drivers. Federal taxi drivers have to come back empty. Tipping service people 20%. Minimum wage in Mexico is approximately $4.50 per day. Avoiding Crime in Puerto Vallarta Occasional mugging due to in many cases desperate drug addicts.  [caption id="attachment_698" align="alignright" width="300"] The Public Bus in Puerto Vallarta Mexico[/caption] Some local justice takes place. Lots of petty crime happens during Easter and Christmas out of towners usually on vacation taking advantage of trusting tourists.  Watch your cell phones closely. Your wouldn’t leave $600 laying on the table, why wo