Don't let minor scams/overcharging ruin your holiday

After reading so many of the posts and hearing how outraged people get over what are often minor incidences, as a many times visitor to India I would like to advise everyone to lighten up a bit.

Yes, scams will happen , I am not talking about serious criminal activity as that is a different matter , just the day to day stuff.

The best thing for a foreigner to learn in India is how to say 'no' and not be coerced into doing stuff that you really didn't want to.

Here are some examples, and how I handle them, really I couldn't care less about whether I had to refuse a whole lot of touts and beggars and pay 10 rupees more for the occasional ride, I never let it spoil my impression of this fantastic country where the vast majority of people are warm generous and friendly.

Taxis/rickshaws/scooters:
Preferably know what the price should be, but be prepared to pay a bit over if necessary ( do you really want to spend half an hour quibbling over a tiny amount?)
2. Don't accept the 'pay what you like' reply from the driver, that will definitely cause problems.
3. Once the price is determined, where possible have the right change.
4. At the end of the trip, if you have the right change, get out of the vehicle, pay the money and walk away. Ignore any further conversations.
5. If you need change, pay when still in the vehicle and refuse to get out unitl the driver pays. Let them organise the change.
6. When choosing a driver usually the ones parked, lolling around asleep, eating or chatting to friends will tend to overcharge, if you approach them. The ones that stop for you genuinely want the work and will be more prepared to be reasonable.
Touts and beggars:
Easy, refuse to look, buy, discuss, and avoid getting into a conversation past 'no'. Having said that some people are pleasant to chat with once they have accepted that you are not buying - you just need to evaluate the situation.

There are many other simple ways to avoid being hassled but all of them relate to taking charge of the situation and being assertive, no need to be rude or aggressive.

Also give a small tip for exceptional service, this can make a huge difference to the person, maybe allow them to buy better food for their family that day.

This is a long post, will add some other bits when I have time, as I feel very strongly about this whole issue

I got on the Servicemen's bus at Delhi airport & realized they had pulled the same old you don't need a receipt scam that they pulled on me decades ago when I first arrived in India. My wife & I roared with laughter..

Well one2ormany, in case of rikshaw overcharge or "no change" stuff you can get used to it and sometimes it can be even funny. But something like Train Station scam is too outrageous. Because it happens with at least tolerance but more likely with participation of officials. I can forgive every scammer and tout but I deeply hate corrupt officials.

My first scam on the first visit to India (around 1992) actually had a positive outcome. I was approached by some boys on the street who wanted to polish my old worn out Nike's. Actually I wanted to discard my shoes before leaving Delhi. Anyway somehow they convinced me and of course instead of agreed 20 Rs they asked for 100. But seeing the result I paid 100 Rs. The shoes looked like max. 2 weeks old and I had them for 6 months longer. Was a kind of win/win situation.

Edwardseco- forgive me but what is that scam? Also what's the train station scam? I'm coming to India in Sept. with three kids after many years away and will be happy to know those scams.... Thanks!

Just look at these threads:

New Delhi Railway Station scam diverting foreign tourists to expensive cabs

New Delhi tourist office on train station scam