Ear Men

Whilst visiting Anjuna Market last year I was approached by several men who indicated to me that I may have had something in or on my ear and attempted to 'get it off for me', it was obvious that there was nothing on my ear and so I gave them short shrift when they approached. My question is 'what are they after'? Lenny

Perhaps they were Ear Cleaners, who wished to clean out your ears for you. This is quite a common profession in India - I guess the general population just don't have car-keys handy!

I would never let one of those guys start poking around in my ears. One slip and you have a punctured ear-drum. As my Mum used to say: Never put anything in your ear that is smaller than an orange.

Tim in England

Definitly Ear Cleaners.
Our driver warned us about them. He also told us that they have their own stash of ear wax with them and they try to convince you that it came from your ear.

Yikes!!!
I saw a guy come up behind an unsuspecting market goer and try to stick a metal thing in his ear. I guess Mr Ear Cleaner did not have the go ahead as the guy freaked out!

yup, not everyone has a car ( i prefer matchstick) in india, thats why this unique profession.


Edit note: moved to scams section with re-direct, cheers rab

I was warned about these guys too...the metal thing is a kind of pick with a rounded end, like a teeny tiny spoon. The thing is, it's also the perfect shape for slipping something into your ear, like a rock, and then when the pick scrapes against the rock inside your ear, it's guaranteed to make this freaky sound to convince you that the ear cleaner found something.

I had one guy just march up to me with the pick out at ear level, just waiting for me to agree to let him start work. Since these guys don't exactly use a lot of sterile technique, I told him no, in no uncertain terms.

Yikes, indeed....

It's truly one of the world's more bizarre practices, unique to India, as far as I know . . .

I would, err, give these ear men an earful and run.

The practice is unhygienic and possibly could do damage.

What were they after? Your money, of course!

I saw one operating in Bangladesh last year, on the Rocket Steamer from Dhaka to Khulna. I guess he thought he had a 'captive audience'.

Tim in England

What do these guys call themselves?
Ear Wallahs perhaps!

During a recent visit to the first Wednesday flea market of the season at Anjuna, I was told by two men that I had a scorpion in my ear, this concerned me a little. My Wife was able to reassure me that there was no creature in my ear, so I clocked what these guy's were up to straight away and firmly declined their offer of help!

The fourth person who informed me that I had a scorpion in my ear very nearly got something much bigger and heavier in his!!!!!!!!!

I cannot understand why anyone would ever visit Anjuna flea market twice, a truly horrendous place!!

I have had my ears cleaned once in India. It did leave me with better hearing and the ear-wallah didn't rip me off or claim something was in my ear.

My last visit tho' I had an ear-wallah just come up to me and start for my ear. I sent him packing with a mouthful.

Even tho' the first time was OK, I would not have it done again and I would not recommend it. use a match (not your car keys!)

I agree, use a Q-tip or something! Each of the four 'ear men' lunged at me and made me very defensive!!!

I was told by my ear doctor not to use q tips at all. "nothing smaller than the tip of your smallest finger" is what he told me.

I always shout at the top of my voice, "You'll have to speak up, I can't hear you, I've got soap in my ears."
Gets a good laugh from everyone around you.

...or carry a small stone in your pocket or one of those small bars of soap from hotels, pull it from your ear and say "Thank you"

Nothing smaller than your fist, is what I was told. Be careful with the cotton buds.

Nothing smaller than your elbow was the doctrine I was raised on!!!