Gratuity:
It is common to give 10% to 15% to waiters in sit down restaurants. At social events like weddings, it is frequent to give the waiter from 50 to 100 pesos at the end of the evening.
Other situations in which gratuity is commonly given include people who help you out: pumping gas at the station, packing your bags at the supermarket, watching your car at a parking lot; usually 5 to 10 pesos is enough. At beauty parlors and spas it is common to give from 20 to 40 pesos to the person who provides the service.
You will find that there are other delivery services which include: food, groceries, medicines, dry cleaning, etc. Some of them have a delivery charge included, for those who don’t it is regular to give the delivery guy from 10 to 20 pesos.
House Cleaning
It is very common to hire a person to clean the house, help with the daily chores, and, on some occasions to cook and tend small children. The wage depends on the frequency, household size and the chores included but it ranges on $ and $ per week.
Food
Please note that Mexican food is spicy. When eating out it is recommended to ask the waiter about any dishes containing peppers or pepper based sauces. Be sure to try any sauces or dressings before pouring them over your food.
Most supermarkets have a wide array of imported products from the USA. The best place to find them is Aladdino’s, although it’s a smaller sized location with higher prices.
Weather
Monterrey is situated in Mexico's northeast desert region at the rim of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range at an altitude of approx. 3000 ft. (900 m). The city has a somewhat extreme climate, with quick changes in the weather probable at any time, summer or winter. The evenings can get blatantly cold in the winter and summers are usually very hot. Afternoon rains come during the summer months, mainly late June to September. Usually the rain lasts for only a few hours, after which the sky clears and the air becomes much cleaner. November to June are regularly the driest months.
Average temperature per month:
| Month |
Max. |
Min. |
| January |
19 – 22 C (66 – 72 F) |
2 – 4 C (34 – 40 F) |
| February |
23 – 26 C (75 – 79 F) |
2 – 5 C (34 -42 F) |
| March |
26 – 29 C (80 – 84 F) |
4 – 7 C (39 – 45 F) |
| April |
28 – 32 C (82 – 90 F) |
5 – 10 C (42 – 50 F) |
| May |
34 – 38 C (94 – 100 F) |
18 – 21 C (64 – 70 F) |
| June |
34 – 38 C (94 – 100 F) |
18 – 21 C (64 – 70 F) |
| July |
35 – 39 C (96 – 102 F) |
18 – 22 C (64 – 72 F) |
| August |
37 – 40 C (98 – 104 F) |
19 – 23 C (66 – 74 F) |
| September |
35 – 39 C (96 – 102 F) |
16 – 19 C (61 – 67 F) |
| October |
32 – 34 C (89 – 94 F) |
11 – 14 C (52 – 58 F) |
| Nobember |
29 – 32 C (84 – 90 F) |
5 – 8 C (41 – 47 F) |
| December |
20 – 24 C (69 – 75 F) |
3 – 6 C (37 – 43 F) |
Gifts
During holidays such as Christmas and Teacher’s Day it is common that students give a gift to their teachers and tutors. At some schools the entire classroom chips in and a single, larger gift is bought. If not, a small present like an accessory, bath set or picture frame is appropriate.
Generally at bridal or baby showers, it is common to give your gift in cash. |
