@checkouttime, your first sentence made me laugh out loud!
Really, though, this is just Mexican culture. When I lived in the US, Mexicans were the same. If you hire them to do a job, they'll schedule it and not show up. They may reschedule several times and not show up. And then one day out of nowhere, they show up and act like everything is fine. "Mañana" is a thing. My landlord is like this, too, and the condo office manager. They're all super nice, they just don't do what they say they're going to do, only what will make you happy to hear. My landlord, a woman, got pissed at me for getting angry and started going telenovela on me, I actually had to soothe her, and I'm her customer! She didn't keep her word, I expected her to, I got very direct about it, and therefore she lost face. I was supposed to be "nice," and in her mind, she was being nice! It's a highly manipulative culture. 'No" is like the law, it's something to try to get around or talk someone out of. It's some crazy-making shit. Like, the whole staff knows I won't answer the door unless I'm expecting them, I explained my reasons and was told very seriously, "Yes, you're right, you have reason," but they'll still ring the doorbell several times, then finally send me an email. I have to not cave in or they won't respect me -- even though it's disrespectful for them to keep doing what they agree to not do!
But the maintenance guy, when he's actually here, is so nice and listens patiently when I speak and I get no creepy or disrespectful vibes off of him at all. When he's on the job, he's great. But if he says he'll be back the next day...no.
There's an old joke, "How do you know a Mexican is lying? Their lips are moving." Not all Mexicans are like that, but it's very, very strong in the culture. Lying isn't treated the same as it is in Western wypipo culture, it's not so offensive, and someone keeping their word is not so expected. I read something that makes sense to me in my experience, that this stuff I'm talking about is part of the machismo culture -- people keep dishing shit out, whether lying, not keeping appointments, etc., and the one who loses their shit, loses. The one who calls it out, instead of pretending everything is okay, is in bad form, and loses. It's about winning, and they will NOT tell you the rules, that's the rule. Here's a driving rule: if you want to merge into traffic, just push your way in, they'll act like they're not going to let you, but it's a game of chicken to see how close the vehicles can come without actually touching.
You sound like an awesome worker, you know your shit and you're ethical. MUCH RESPECT! If it were my ceiling, I'd probably ask you to come fix it! Here, though, it's more of a story, the story of the landlord's emotions about the fact there is a leak, and everyone shifting responsibility. She's totally chill now that someone has said "mañana," and when there is structural damage, there will be a new story, and more shifting, and a new mañana, and when the whole building collapses, it will be a new story. This is Mexico. Así es.
the problem you describe is a worldwide problem with landlords, it certainly happens here aswell.not all of them but a high amount, don't like forking out money for repairs. they don't mind collecting rent though!!! same for what you describe of workmen. alot will lie about stuff, tell you they will come and not turn up. i could never do that, if i say i will do something i turn up and do it, and properly. thats what gets you a good reputation and more work. all the stuff what you mention i why tradesmen get a bad reputation. the most annoying part, is these people still find work. then every workmen gets tarnished with the same brush. its annoying!!!! i think alot of people go to work and don't want to be there.
thing i never understand when landlords don't get things fixed is, it will just get worse. it might start small and end up big, costing even more to fix. but if i was asked to look it would be my job to make you realise that. honestly many landlords just dont like paying to get things fixed,.then when it comes to fix it, they want it done for nothing!!!!
lol i think the whole push into traffic thing happens everywhere. its because people aren't considerate to others. i mean really, would letting one car in front of you effect you getting somewhere quicker? not really!! but people just get in the car and want to get somewhere and couldn't care less about others. i let poeple pull out or whatever all the time when driving.not everyone but i do it alot. but when you drive i don't think many people are aware of exactly whats going on. it like they are in auto pilot to get from on place to another!!!
i think alot of it is down to peoples manners and attitude. i don't think i am an angel, i know in other ways i am not. but saying please, thank you. opening doors for people, being on time, keeping good on things you say, i don't even think about it, i just do it. i think also the thing you describe with the lies, sometimes people think a 'small lie', like saying you will turn up and not. people think it is insignificant, but its not to the effected person. its annoying, maybe an inconveinience etc to that person, and not fair on them!
