Everywhere there is tourism there are touts, especially in developing countries, where the incentive to make money to survive is greatest.
Here are some tips
- If you stop walking when a tout approaches you it can
be hard to get going again, if you don’t want help keep going. - If someone follows you go into a book store or
somewhere where you can loose them. If they are really persistent walk towards
police or an official, the tout will normally disappear before you get there. - If somewhere like an airport or ticket office, and
you don’t need help, take charge of buying tickets or arranging things. Don’t
let the tout take over, as they will expect a tip (and will have started to
earn it). - Be polite, but if you don’t want help tell them.
I’m not sure of the best responses to these guys. I never want to offend, but I am also never interested. Here’s what I do:
- When touts approach me I never stop walking
- If they approach from the side and rear I ignore
their first calls, as they often walk away - When they ask where I am from I normally make
something up, or I tell the truth and say I am from Cornwall (in England),
which is fairly unknown. Despite this they know where I am from, have friends
there, and they are often ‘quite famous in London’. - I’m always polite, but firm, I don’t want their help.
Here are some of my favorite lines
- “I am quite famous in London”
- “Why do you travel by train, I can take you by
car, you can have hubba-bubba pipe in the back while I drive” - “Is your shirt from India?”
- “Are you Indian? I thought you were.”
- “Why do you spend so long here? I can take you to
better places.” - “Hey remember me?,I’m Raj, from last year.” – particular obvious on your first visit to India
- “Do you want to buy the crap I have in my
shop?” - “Do you want to give me your
money?”