How to answer touts?

How do you answer touts when they come up to you and tell you something that you know isnt true?

they might say "the hotel is closed", you need a ticket to enter the trainstation", let me see your ticket etc..

They are more than touts. They are actual scammers, and are criminals.

Touts are trying to get your business, but don't stoop so low. Or, I don't know, maybe they do! Best thing to do: send them to read one of the long threads here on how to deal with touts!

Cross-check with the Hotel!
It is easy to check whether it is required or not! Don't show it!!

<cross-posting with quite a few>

I and many like me mostly just completely ignore them, though I might fool around with them some if I'm in the mood, this arguably takes some practice. They can be handy for their services if you need them btw, I think they're scoffed at in a generalized sense a little too often. Depends what precisely one understands to be a "tout," perhaps. If there's not a bed to be found in town anymore, they'll be sure to know where the last one is. So what if they take a small commission for it, it is a job, and you now have a place to rest your head.

There are of course previous threads on it, just search for them. Here's a long-running one: http://www.indiamike.com/india/scams...e-touts-t1401/

I personally would say 'Stop talking , please move aside'.

I must admit i find it hard to be polite to tricksters.

As a previous poster acknowledges scammers are scammers and touts are touts-different breed.

Dealing with touts can be fun and lead to some quite humorous situations....where as scammers,as mentioned, are nothing more than criminals.

Best not answer at all if they come across as being overly aggressive or persistent. I suppose you could ask them 'if they happen to know where the nearest police station is(police kahan hai?)?'

Depends what mood I'm in. Mostly I try to deal with them in good humor by making it clear that I'm not taking them seriously and having a laugh with them. 90% of the time, they'll then see they're wasting their time and disappear elsewhere, or else reciprocate which is the best outcome.

Sometimes I'll just ignore them completely, but this doesn't really help in places like Agra or Luxor in Egypt where you get approached every 2 minutes.

The very odd time - and this hasn't happened to me in quite a few years now - I'll lose my cool. Normally happens at the end of a bad day, and is NEVER a good idea.

First question: Tout or scammer?

If Scammer:

First challenge: realise that the very plausible person asking to see your train ticket is not a railway employee. Conmen are good at their job; conmen know you have gut feelings, and they know how to appeal to them. Try to be better informed than they are, and being here, on this site, is a good start.

I've always struggled to see why people find touts such a problem. Yes they can be annoying but ultimately no-one can force you to part with either your money or your common sense.

I try and have a laugh with them and I'm always polite. You may have to occasionaly be firm but fair but I've never lost my cool.

NB

Don't recognize them when they call out to you in English. If they make contact with you in a way that a person who doesn't understand English would recognize, speak a few words in made-up gibberish. In my experiences, it is not likely that they can speak that language.

ALWAYS keep the hotel number handy, just calling them on your phone (or even pretending) is enough to have them scurry away if they are lying.

You DO NEED a ticket to enter the train station. It has to be a platform ticket (if you came to see off or receive someone) or your regular travel ticket (or at least a general unreserved ticket).

'Let me see your ID' is usually enough. Most officials involved with ticket checking will either have their ID prominently displayed or will certainly show you when requested (its their duty).

keep walking. I have found that to be the best way, and also not acknowledging them. simple.

The Kashmiris in Connaught Place (Delhi) are really getting bold now. You just can't ignore them because they'll tap you on the shoulder or hold on to your shirt. Even locals are scared of them. They took over a street to play cricket once, and threatened the locals to remove their cars or "they were not responsible" for the damage.

Better think twice before being rude to these guys now, or even ignoring them. If they feel insulted, they'll get back at you by harassing you at every block. They literally are everywhere.

This is basically a warning for the expat living in Delhi. Casual visitors probably won't recognize a Kashmiri tout from a local one, but if you've lived here long enough, you know the people I mean. Don't mess with these guys!

Yeah! I'm with Sama!

Keep walking and do NOT acknowledge them.

Too many tourists seem driven by a need to be polite to them. Politeness is a form of mutual respect. They show none; they deserve none!

#4, #6 for me. I often respond only in German for some fun. Let them feel some frustration..