Dealing with Touts

Indiamad · Jun 17th, 2006, 20:46

Speaking of train stations, does anyone know what's the going rate for a coolie to carry one piece of luggage from one platform to another and put it onto the train for you?

I've paid anything from 100R (excuse was 1/2 hr waiting fee) when I was a bit green to 20/30 or 40R since per item. I'm sure it's only around 10R but I've rarely been able to get away with paying that! I know it doesn't sound like a lot to quibble about but I spent a LOT of time getting on and off trains so couldn't really afford to be handing out 100R notes all the time.

Casey · Jun 17th, 2006, 20:51

I saw many Indian people paying more than 10r per item and having arguements regarding payment, although I personally have never used their services, only watched the money changing hands.

Casey · Jun 17th, 2006, 21:56

I fully agree Cyberhippie! This is a part of being in India and an accepted way of doing business. Becoming really bothered with it is likely to affect your enjoyment in the same way as being concerned about being "ripped off", "the staring" "the female travelling alone", "where are you from and what is your good name" and the other things that seem to concern people.

I think, however, it is also part of getting used to being in a different culture and therefore may take some getting used to. I think that people are not used to having strangers approach them. In Canada, from a young age, you are told not to talk to strangers and if someone approaches you to view it with caution. I think, for some people, this can effect their interactions in other situations, and thus make them feel uncomfortable. My first solo trip was to India and I had to get used to talking to a lot of strangers. I am not generally an outgoing person to whom this comes easy. That was more of the issue than the touts, and I soon realized that I had to adjust to the situation and had a great time. I realize now how cold our culture must appear to those coming from a culture where human interaction is always present.

haritha · Jun 17th, 2006, 22:21

Smile walk away and do not respond

Nuala · Jun 17th, 2006, 22:29

Look at him in the eyes, smile and politely but firmly answer NEHI, BAS.

If he didn't get it then ignore him, he'll end up leaving eventually.

xxx

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2006, 23:34

Keeping walking is good advice. But it is a pain if you really want to just stand still and admire the view or whatever...

capt_mahajan · Jun 17th, 2006, 23:38

yeah, nick thats my main problem with touts.

they tend to take over what i was planning to do and make me do something else!

agree with many here that walking away is the best option, though sometimes you have to walk faster and faster.

quite funny, if only in retrospect.

PeakXV · Jun 17th, 2006, 23:48

Just as a particularly large lorry starts steaming down the adjacent road where a tout has cornered you - dart quickly across the road in front of it. Those touts can't never resist a good chase .... and if you time your crossing just right .....

1 less tout in the world!

Of course if you time it wrong ...... vacation and/or life severely shortened.

jabberwocky · Jun 18th, 2006, 02:40

Ignore them... then most will ignore you.

Remember... I said most.

thirdreel · Jun 18th, 2006, 02:48

Here's what bothers me about the suggestion that people learn phrases in Hindi to discourage touts: the touts are in their native land, and we are visitors. When a visitor from another country says, "I think I'll learn a few words of the language so I can better tell the locals to shut up," it strikes me as really disrespectful.

If you don't want to talk to someone, don't talk. If you don't want to look at someone, don't look. But don't imagine that you're doing the locals any favors by learning to say "No" in their language.

Nick-H · Jun 18th, 2006, 03:02

And you can be sure they will be talking to you in your language, so why shouldn;t they understand "no" in that language.

PeakXV · Jun 18th, 2006, 04:50

Knowing a little hindi is a bit of a double-edged sword. You often hear some slightly duragatory under-the-breath words uttered (bandar, langur etc.)in your general direction if you fail to acknowledge certain touts/hawkers. In that case, a good rebuttle in hindi is sometimes warranted and I think not so disrespectful under the circumstances.

MeCasa · Jun 18th, 2006, 05:18

I'm gonna pick the two meanest lookin' dudes and hire them as bodyguards, why don't I feel guilty?

BabeInTheWoods · Jun 18th, 2006, 05:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

yeah, nick thats my main problem with touts.

they tend to take over what i was planning to do and make me do something else!

agree with many here that walking away is the best option, though sometimes you have to walk faster and faster.

quite funny, if only in retrospect.

I found the shop owners a nuisance when I wanted to just stop and look for a minute for something. "You look madam. No buy, just look". Yeah right. With you breathing right up my nostrils! I came up with something that worked though. I'd tap on my imaginary watch and say "My husband waiting - he say 'Woman always shopping!'". Then I'd do an imitation of him tapping his feet looking at his watch. The men totally related to this and would laugh and let me go on my way.

After a while, both the touts and the shopkeepers would leap up to hassle me or us, and then see who it was and sit back down again. No nasties and everybody smiling.

PeakXV · Jun 18th, 2006, 08:52

Not that all touts/hawkers are pesky .... but every now and then you get one who is like real sticky gum on your shoes

. That calls for the ol' sick trick.

Performed by doubling over in feigned pain - puffing your cheeks out and whispering - "Bahut Bimar" (very sick)

Tout quickly exits stage left.

I then make a quick recovery.

Jun 17th, 2006, 22:21	#19
haritha Account Closed Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Kadalikad-Kerala-India Posts: 527	mmmmmmm Smile walk away and do not respond

Jun 17th, 2006, 23:48	#23
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Just as a particularly large lorry starts steaming down the adjacent road where a tout has cornered you - dart quickly across the road in front of it. Those touts can't never resist a good chase .... and if you time your crossing just right ..... 1 less tout in the world! Of course if you time it wrong ...... vacation and/or life severely shortened. __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Jun 18th, 2006, 08:52	#30
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Not that all touts/hawkers are pesky .... but every now and then you get one who is like real sticky gum on your shoes. That calls for the ol' sick trick. Performed by doubling over in feigned pain - puffing your cheeks out and whispering - *"Bahut Bimar" (very sick)* Tout quickly exits stage left. I then make a quick recovery.

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Jun 17th, 2006, 20:46	#16
Indiamad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 175	Speaking of train stations, does anyone know what's the going rate for a coolie to carry one piece of luggage from one platform to another and put it onto the train for you? I've paid anything from 100R (excuse was 1/2 hr waiting fee) when I was a bit green to 20/30 or 40R since per item. I'm sure it's only around 10R but I've rarely been able to get away with paying that! I know it doesn't sound like a lot to quibble about but I spent a LOT of time getting on and off trains so couldn't really afford to be handing out 100R notes all the time.

Jun 17th, 2006, 20:51	#17
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 707	I saw many Indian people paying more than 10r per item and having arguements regarding payment, although I personally have never used their services, only watched the money changing hands.

Jun 17th, 2006, 21:56	#18
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 707	I fully agree Cyberhippie! This is a part of being in India and an accepted way of doing business. Becoming really bothered with it is likely to affect your enjoyment in the same way as being concerned about being "ripped off", "the staring" "the female travelling alone", "where are you from and what is your good name" and the other things that seem to concern people. I think, however, it is also part of getting used to being in a different culture and therefore may take some getting used to. I think that people are not used to having strangers approach them. In Canada, from a young age, you are told not to talk to strangers and if someone approaches you to view it with caution. I think, for some people, this can effect their interactions in other situations, and thus make them feel uncomfortable. My first solo trip was to India and I had to get used to talking to a lot of strangers. I am not generally an outgoing person to whom this comes easy. That was more of the issue than the touts, and I soon realized that I had to adjust to the situation and had a great time. I realize now how cold our culture must appear to those coming from a culture where human interaction is always present.

Jun 17th, 2006, 22:29	#20
Nuala You cannot walk straight when the road bends Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: London -Madrid....Now in Delhi! :) Posts: 39	Look at him in the eyes, smile and politely but firmly answer NEHI, BAS. If he didn't get it then ignore him, he'll end up leaving eventually. xxx

Jun 17th, 2006, 23:34	#21
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Keeping walking is good advice. But it is a pain if you really want to just stand still and admire the view or whatever...

Jun 17th, 2006, 23:38	#22
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,606	yeah, nick thats my main problem with touts. they tend to take over what i was planning to do and make me do something else! agree with many here that walking away is the best option, though sometimes you have to walk faster and faster. quite funny, if only in retrospect.

Jun 18th, 2006, 02:40	#24
jabberwocky Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dehradun Posts: 28	Ignore them... then most will ignore you. Remember... I said most.

Jun 18th, 2006, 02:48	#25
thirdreel Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 283	Here's what bothers me about the suggestion that people learn phrases in Hindi to discourage touts: the touts are in their native land, and we are visitors. When a visitor from another country says, "I think I'll learn a few words of the language so I can better tell the locals to shut up," it strikes me as really disrespectful. If you don't want to talk to someone, don't talk. If you don't want to look at someone, don't look. But don't imagine that you're doing the locals any favors by learning to say "No" in their language.

Jun 18th, 2006, 03:02	#26
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	And you can be sure they will be talking to you in your language, so why shouldn;t they understand "no" in that language.

Jun 18th, 2006, 04:50	#27
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Knowing a little hindi is a bit of a double-edged sword. You often hear some slightly duragatory under-the-breath words uttered (bandar, langur etc.)in your general direction if you fail to acknowledge certain touts/hawkers. In that case, a good rebuttle in hindi is sometimes warranted and I think not so disrespectful under the circumstances.

Jun 18th, 2006, 05:18	#28
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	I'm gonna pick the two meanest lookin' dudes and hire them as bodyguards, why don't I feel guilty?