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It does my heart good to see an increasing number of visitors on Puerto Vallarta streets and in area restaurants, yet, it is still a little too soon for this city of tourism to know whether we will have a true high season or just long drawn out shoulder season in light of the continued economic uncertainties north of the border. Many area hotels, restaurants, and merchants continue to maintain reduced summer staffing, hold their breath, and hope.
And the residents of Puerto Vallarta who make up largest part of our community, and who do most of the heavy lifting behind the scenes to make this city function, people of very limited means and often limited schooling are also holding their breath and hoping. Very likely someone in their extended family household has already had their hours reduced or lost their job. These people rarely have savings to fall back on and there is no unemployment insurance. Taking care of their family uses every peso they bring home after working long hours, at perhaps two different jobs. A cut in salary often means letting the electricity be turned off for a while; conserving use of water and serving smaller portions for meals.
These folks are already suffering directly from the slowdown and will be the most affected should it continue or worsen. So as we enter the holiday season, why not buy a piece of jewellery or a blanket from a beach vendor and consider bargaining a little less forcefully because, for these people, it is not a game or a competition, it is the only way they know how to make a living for their families and they will work as many hours as it takes to put food on the table.
Consider being more generous with your maid and the server at the restaurant because with their pitifully low base salary, he or she must make fewer and fewer tips go farther and farther. If you see someone offering to clean your car window or sell you a flower while you wait for the traffic light, these are people, often with few skills, who are doing what the can to feed their families. They are not making a little extra on the side. They are making their living and depending on your generosity to match their initiative and creativity.
So this year, more than ever, please share your good fortune so that all may have a happy holiday season.
James Hunter - Editor
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