Beware of "professional" strangers in Delhi

wee_y_gor

When we were in Connaught Place, there's one guy who dressed so nice, with ties, blazer look like a business man. He came to us and recommend us lot of places. He claimed himself to be a businessmen and show me lot of overseas company name cards.

I actually didn't scare and just chatted with him. He then brought us to some shops and places to buy souvenir, (all shops listed in guidebooks), I thought its good since I don't need to find myself, and he got a good deal with the rickshaw drivers.

Only later I found out he's interested with my friend (girl), he tried to put his hand on my friend's shoulder in the rickshaw, when I look at him, he quickly put off his hands. Then I ask the driver to stop, and alight, coincidentally near to a music shop which I want to visit. The Indian guy said:"the shop is over there, you can visit alone if you want? , I will bring her to massage", I replied him:"No, she's coming with me."

My friend look scared. So we just left him. He still tried to talk to us, I am quick pissed off, and told him:"No, we are going alone, not with you, if you want, wait us at QBA tonight 7pm, we can have a drink" Of course we didn't show up later.

Beware of professional dressed

zoltan

This is the second post I've read (and now replied), from you, where your girlfriend (?) was being harassed.

It sounds like both of you were not direct enough in putting the teasers back in their place.

If someone were to do this in Malaysia, you'd probably raise hell - why not do the same in India ?

No disrespect, but do people lose their common sense (therefore falling prey to scams of all kinds) or the ability to complain when situations get out of hand ?

I read so many post from people who have the same problems occur while on holiday so I'm sure people just don't take due care.

Cheers
Zoltan

__________________
India (and other) photos click here

edwardseco

Twice now, hmmm..

capt_mahajan

that's coincidence. Third time is enemy action

Haylo

Where does friendship end and harassment start? This guy spent a lot of his day with you and your female friend (you have not described her as your girlfriend), and he took you to good places which were recommended in the guide books and saved you getting ripped off by auto drivers. Presumably at this point you were both enjoying his company?

He then came on to your friend, and instead of her saying "No I am not interested in that sort of relationship with you" you both arranged to meet him later, with absolutely no intention of turning up. That was not an ideal way to handle the situation.

Sorry but it does not sound as if he forced himself on either of you, unless he was a lot more threatening or rude or persistent than you have described on here, I do not think he has done anything dreadful, and certainly nothing that other travellers need to be warned about. Some people who travel have sex on holiday, with each other and with locals. Because of this, some people get to know travellers in the hope that they will agree to have sex with them, this does not make them dangerous, it makes them people with different morals to you.

You need to be making it very clear that you and your friend are NOT those sort of people. As she has trouble setting boundaries and saying no, tell your friend not to let anyone touch her for any reason, and when she is alone tell her to seek out the company of Indian women.

In the light of this and other posts, and because she is not asking about this on here herself, it sounds as if she is relying very much on you to keep her safe. Although on a previous thread it was advised that Agra would be safe for her, I now wonder whether it is such a good idea for her to go anywhere on her own.

__________________
The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

dhans

Or is the guy just jealous?

Hans

__________________

Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids
Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Nick-H

I don't think this level of familiarity is acceptable from a stranger. I don't think one would expect it in one's home country, and being in India doesn't change that.

I'd have to ask wee_y_gor if he and hos companion never asked themselves why this 'businessman' was so keen on their company?

wabat

wee_y_gor - please be more assertive. There is nothing wrong with making very clear your views you would do it at home so why not on holidays.

jmf1002

I've never been to India before and my 1st time will be this Dec. Naturally, I'm very concerned myself over issues such as these since I'm going with my wife. I've heard many scary tales before about the dangers women (and sometimes men) face in India, far worse than the incident described by wee_y_gor. I do certainly agree with zoltan in this matter. Why shld we react differently in another country than how we wld in our own homeland. But I do also think that there's a psychological fear that grips us when we're in a different place in the world and we fail to react as efficiently and quickly as we should. It's a tourist syndrome I guess. But thanks Zoltan for the good advice. I'll definitely raise hell if my turf get's crossed during my holiday there!

capt_mahajan

When travelling outside India, I am always aware of the fact, given cultural and language differences, that I may not always understand the cues which herald danger- and which a local would. So I am more alert.

That aside, pyschological fear in most parts of the world is not really warranted, and spoils the fun

Hal

I always get my guard up when someone I've just met gets too familiar. Unfortunate to say it but there's often a scam at the other end. I've seen it in Morocco and India and Spain. They'll start off easy then move in for the kill when they think they've got your confidence.

PeakXV

OMG sounds like former IM'er Mecasa finally made it to India!<heheh just kidding - couldn't resist>. Sorry to hear about your encounter cum advancment wee_y_gor - maybe buy one of those rather shrill referee whistles for your next tour to blow at an opportune time near the offender's nearest ear lobe.

__________________
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?

Anglo_Indian

There are scammers everywhere - in NYC, London and all over India - if you fall for a scammer then you are a fool and have bad judgment. So stop saying beware of Indians when you are traveling in this country... and someone else posted - they are always on their guard here. Well I travel extensively all over the world and am always on my guard EVERYWHERE... even where I live in London. By the way - there are signs posted all over Central London in the most posh areas of kensington and westminster - that say "Be careful of your belongings - thieves operate in this area" - you can see that in lots of shops, gyms, and restaurants... it doesnt mean anything.

Sorry I just think you are a racist... and maybe you should not be traveling in India if you are so scared of the people here.

Anglo_Indian

oh and in Goa and many other parts of India - there are plenty of WHITE westerners who are scamming everyone including Indians and other westerners. Research it - lots of westerners come to India for illegal activities and making a quick buck - you should probably beware of them more than indians here - its easier to befriend another westerner and take advantage of them... good luck.

robotvoice

sorry to split hairs here, but i just carefully read the op, and nowhere is the scammer's nationality indicated. it may be implied that he was indian because he knew his way around, but then, i have shown people around tourist spots in a similar manner and i am as white as they get!

the post actually says to beware of people in business suits.

sounds like good advice to me. they know how to scam into the billions