On
Friday, March 8, 2019; Monday, March 4, 2019; and a day in January 2019, I
encountered the same colectivo driver. He was mean, disrespectful, and angry
that I, as a permanent resident, refused to pay the tourist (non-local) price.
He said I should get off his colectivo and go back to my country. In spite of
this, I gave him the correct fare of $20 pesos (not the $30 pesos the driver was demanding I pay), showed him my permanent resident card, said thank you, as I always do, and exited the colectivo while ignoring his verbal assault.
As a
permanent resident card holder, I am entitled to all the rights and benefits as
any Mexican citizen (except I cannot vote). This includes being charged the
local fare on the colectivos. We do not have a car here and want to support the
local colectivos, but the harassment is very upsetting.
In fact, the driver was so mean-spirited that a kind Mexican man confronted the driver and explained to him about the benefits and rights of a permanent resident card holder. The driver did not care and continued to say that I was not Mexican and needed to pay the tourist price. The gentleman continued to explain to the driver until the driver stopped arguing with him. I graciously thanked the gentleman for his support.
I
reported the incidents to the colectivo manager located in Playa del Carmen at
the corner of Avenida 20 and Calle 2. In addition, I sent him a photo of the driver, the
number on the colectivo (drivers have different colectivos each day), and a copy of my permanent resident card to aid in the
resolution of this issue.
I am
not sure that speaking with the manager will help, or if there will be any resolution to this long-standing issue, but I felt it was important for me to stand my ground and not be bullied and/or taken advantage of.
Rosa Parks would be proud!!!
Rosa Parks would be proud!!!
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| Face of the thief |
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