Eating out in Mexico, relaxing in a bar or visiting a night spot, is usually a pleasurable experience.
Customers rarely encounter problems and most establishments uphold all their legal responsibilities. Occasionally, however, irregularities do occur and customers can be taken advantage of. Here are five “rights” of restaurant, bar or night club customers, cited by the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Consumer Protection Agency or Profeco) as the most frequent abuses.
1. All prices must be clearly visible to customers, ether on a menu or elsewhere in the establishment.
2. No establishment may set a minimum charge. Customers are only obliged to pay for what they order and consume.
3. No establishment may include a gratuity on the bill, or demand a tip. Tipping is discretionary.
4. No establishment can deny clients service on the grounds that they are obliged to purchase a bottle of wine or spirits.
5. Discriminatory selection of customers waiting to enter an establishment based on their appearance or other factors is prohibited.