Ah, well, that explains it. I've only actually lived in Mexico for eight years. And not in a community sporting several English websites devoted to American and Canadian retirees. Real Mexico where Telmex has yet to bother with and I'm the only expat around. Even my three kids were born in Mexico. Regardless of whether you appreciate it or not, I do actually know what I am talking about.

And I never said that we always use dollars. We use whichever currency is going to get us a better deal in each individual transaction. Sometimes it is pesos. Other times it is dollars. Some vendors are more likely to have an unfavorable exchange rate and others are generally equal to or better than the rate at the bank (Soriana generally fits on this side). Like I said, let the buyer beware.

I've met people who still have completely worthless old pesos. We're only fourteen years past el error de diciembre. Many who lived through these events (among others) keep their squirreled away money in dollars. They feel more confident that by saving dollars instead of pesos that their money will not suddenly become worthless. I've honestly never met anyone who was offended by being paid in dollars or pesos. Most merchants are, surprisingly, ecstatic about making a sale regardless of agreed upon currency.