Just as in my home in the United States, I’ve seen the familiar grocery bagger awaiting at the end of the line when checking out. My first job was actually as a bagger at Meijer. I was 15 and I think I was paid $6 per hour. All I remember is being taught how to pair goods together in bags. Dry goods, cold foods, and non-food items all separate.
It didn’t seem much different here in Mexico. One different thing I noticed was nearly all of the baggers, known as cerrillitos, cerillos or paqueteros, were elderly. I always do my best to witness how other people respond to situations in other countries to learn what is appropriate. In touristy Playa del Carmen Walmart, I watched most people say Gracias and walk away. I saw some give a few coins. I didn’t think much of it. It’s common to tip paid positions – and they were obviously an employee of the store, so they must be paid. Right?
Wrong.
My friend Laura often invited me to the grocery store with her when she went. Laura has lived in Mexico many years and is very knowledgeable about life and customs here. While waiting in the checkout lane one day, I asked her what is customary to tip the baggers. I learned something quite shocking from her answer.
Baggers are not paid by the stores
The baggers are not paid by the grocery store. Their position is entirely voluntary and they fully rely on tips as earnings for the day. The stores allow elderly persons to come in to earn extra income via tips on their own time.
COVID’s effects on Elderly Baggers
At the start of COVID in March 2020, it was the choice of the baggers if they continued to volunteer as a bagger during the pandemic. The organization which oversees the volunteer program, National Institute for Elderly People (INAPAM), would not offer compensation for those who chose to stay home.
In March 2020, the grocery store Soriana stopped allowing the elderly baggers to volunteer. In December 2020, Walmart México broke its partnership with INAPAM.
For two years, many had risked their lives or lost this form of income that many of them rely on to support themselves and their families.
In June 2021, a Walmart in Mexico City decided that after a ban on plastic bags and the pandemic, people no longer wanted their groceries touched. They disallowed baggers over 60 to return to volunteer. The volunteers protested.
From my perspective in Playa del Carmen as of late 2021, most grocery stores have allowed the volunteers to return to bagging groceries.
Why are the elderly working as baggers?
In The International Journal of Aging and Society, José Mauricio Argüelles Pérez states in his paper titled The Meaning of Work for Elderly Grocery Baggers in Monterrey, Mexico: A Precarious Job or a Social Opportunity? that one reason elderly volunteer as baggers is the “social problem of an aging society that in the past did not provide for sufficient ways for all people to save up a retirement pension.” He also says, “for participants their jobs have important meanings for their entire lives; for example: keeping busy, having social relationships with others, and encouraging self-esteem.”
So what should you tip your cerillito?
The verdict is out on a set price. After reviewing many TripAdvisor and Facebook group posts, many people choose to tip as little as 5-10 pesos to their bagger. Some tip closer to 50 pesos. Of course, tip what you can and your heart desires.
Please keep this in mind when you are grocery shopping next time in Mexico. Remember that a smile, “Hola” and “Gracias” and a little tip go a long way.
