Sending a Christmas tip across borders

December 9, 2021 7:50 AM

I've been taking online Spanish lessons with a tutor based in Mexico. I'd like to send a Christmas tip to them. Looking for info:

First off, as a U.S. resident, I'm used to sending Christmas tips for lots of things--I send my newspaper deliveryperson a tip every year, for example--but I'm not 100% sure how this would be received in Mexico. Is this something that happens regularly?

Second, there's no easy way to do this through the various online apps like Venmo or CashApp, correct? I would need to download an app specifically for remittances in order to do this and, crucuially, I would need to get my teachers' address information? (I'm a little worried that asking for that info would be weird)

Third, are there any tax situations--either in the U.S. or in Mexico--that I need to be aware of?

Thanks!

posted by thecaddy to Work & Money (7 answers total)

How do you normally pay the tutor? Through some kind of service?
posted by mskyle at 7:51 AM on December 9, 2021

You must have an email address for them? What about an Amazon Mexico or some other sort of gift card?
(Assuming tips are welcome.)

Or, going off of mskyle's comment--if you're using a service maybe they have a mechanism to pay a tip or bonus.
posted by sevenless at 8:08 AM on December 9, 2021

Thirding the above posts. Just use your present payment service.

If you need a referral to a new payment service, Wise.com (formerly TransferWise) seems to have a great reputation for efficient international money transfers.
posted by JimN2TAW at 8:26 AM on December 9, 2021

I have sent money to myself in Mexico several times using Xoom (a PayPal company). No address required. With ID, the recipient can pick up the funds at many, many locations (Oxxo convenience stores, e.g., which are on practically every corner).
posted by bricoleur at 8:57 AM on December 9, 2021

And to answer the first question, yes, it's definitely a thing in Mexico and will be very appreciated!
posted by bricoleur at 9:02 AM on December 9, 2021

It would be a little weird but just pay in the normal way.
posted by turkeyphant at 6:07 PM on December 11, 2021

Thanks all! I went with Wise.
posted by thecaddy at 7:19 PM on December 20, 2021