how to handle touts?

Brisso · Apr 7th, 2008, 04:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by atala

Indeed. With showing anger or even annoyance we show that we are out of balance, and I believe most Indians would take advantage of that by showing their superiority over us, since they are the world champions in taking humiliation without showing any emotional outbursts.

I find a well-aimed spray does absolute wonders ... the shell- shocked look in response is priceless.

atala · Apr 7th, 2008, 14:40

At Janpath in Delhi near Tibetan Market there is now a curious rule enforced that sales-people can do their thing only from the road unto the side walk, but they are apparently not allowed on the sidewalk itself. Like in a zoo they are walking at the fence, trying to get the attention of the big animals inside. So they come with their wallets and chess-boards and handkerchieves and try their best to sell their thing.

Since you have that safety distance to retreat into if overwhelmed by their demands, it is a fun playground to see how to deal with such people in a creative way. Not just fun though, there is also a feeling of pity with them when I do not buy even if they have lowered the price to a ridiculously low rate, because who knows who is at the end of the line, those who manufactured the gadgets for a trifle wage under who knows how awful circumstances.

That is India, tragedy and comedy all at once, and at the same time the realization that all these people are alive to a degree and in an intensity that is not possible in my country at least. And they all can eek out a living according to their own means and desires.

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rab

Picklepak is so very right. My first time in India I had heard about the New Delhi Railway Touts before I left home and still got taken to the travel agents across the road. When I realised what I was being drawn into I left rather hurriedly!

You have just got to tell yourself - the ticket office is upstairs - the book says it is - Indiamike says it is - why has it suddenly been closed!??

One thing that really really p*ssed me off last year was in Mumbai when I took a taxi from the domestic airport to the hotel in Colaba that I had chosen - LP said it was good - Indiamike said it was good etc etc - then when I got there having dodged about 25 touts the final most persistant tout of them all who was stood outside the place tried to follow me up the hotel stairs to claim his commission for "bringing me" there.

I thanked the tout, checked in then told the hotel owner that the tout was a complete fraud and not to pay him. I got a discount, a great room and fantastic service for three days!

how agressive does these touts get?? Is it mainly verbal etc or do they grab etc???? Who has hit one??????????????????????

mridula · May 8th, 2008, 17:04

Rhill1, so how is the reading going? How does it make you feel about India? Or have you already been to India?

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Rhill1, so how is the reading going? How does it make you feel about India? Or have you already been to India?

will be there shortly...can't wait.......awesome advice as to how to deal with the moron/touts...
thank god am staying in good hotels

mridula · May 8th, 2008, 17:24

Rhill but if you will walk around on your own you will meet touts somewhere or the other

Don't forget to share your stories here.

I think it takes some getting used to and not losing temper. By the way I am Indian and have lived here all my life, so it is easy to say "don't loose your temper".

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Rhill but if you will walk around on your own you will meet touts somewhere or the other

Don't forget to share your stories here.

I think it takes some getting used to and not losing temper. By the way I am Indian and have lived here all my life, so it is easy to say "don't loose your temper".

cheers mridula,
i look forwaed to a super couple of weeks over yonder!! Weather in Delhi a ce moment s'il vous plait??

Nick-H · May 8th, 2008, 17:48

If you hit someone you become the criminal. The tout will have friends, do not expect to have a nice day.

Good hotels always attract the worst touts, auto drivers, etc: they go where the money is!

mridula · May 8th, 2008, 17:52

Nick, thanks for pitching in. By I mean loosing temper as in getting angry or getting into a shouting match. Hitting is something I was not even thinking about, hitting is counter-productive.

Rhill1 what does this mean- "Weather in Delhi a ce moment s'il vous plait??"

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Nick, thanks for pitching in. By I mean loosing temper as in getting angry or getting into a shouting match. Hitting is something I was not even thinking about, hitting is counter-productive.

Rhill1 what does this mean- "Weather in Delhi a ce moment s'il vous plait??"

cheers guys...wot is the current temperature in Delhi please??

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

If you hit someone you become the criminal. The tout will have friends, do not expect to have a nice day.

Good hotels always attract the worst touts, auto drivers, etc: they go where the money is!

couldn't agree more but if someone put doggydoo on your shoe,
an instant reaction would be teeth removal!!

mridula · May 8th, 2008, 18:04

Rhill1, it is 40C at highest and 26C at the lowest.

But how would you feel if you get surrounded by 10-15 people quickly plus a crowd of bystanders, if you hit someone. India is incredibly crowded and hitting anyone is not a good idea at all.

rhill1 · May 8th, 2008, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Rhill1, it is 40C at highest and 26C at the lowest.

But how would you feel if you get surrounded by 10-15 people quickly plus a crowd of bystanders, if you hit someone. India is incredibly crowded and hitting anyone is not a good idea at all.

cheers mridula........great points...better to walk on and bite one's pride by the sound of things..........promises to be an 'interesting 'trip!!!!!!!!!!!!

larsomat · May 8th, 2008, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrissawka

what is the best way to handle touts?

i don't want to disrespect/be rude to them..yet i must stand my ground as well.

My experience:
In crowded places like Paharganj I just ignore them, if someone is too persistent a short "chello" with the twist of the hand, and a bored arrogant look on the face, works wonders.

But I only do it like this in crowded places, cause there are just too many of them to be polite to everyone.

In not so crowded places, "three stages of escalation":
- "No, thanks" or similar with a smile, sometimes more than once, depends. sometimes touts are quite entertaining.
- "No, please go away" or similar. no smile, but still softspoken
- "Chello" (like above)

The "chello" always worked for me, but I only want to be rude if necessary.

Brisso · May 9th, 2008, 04:52

On my first vist I was targeted bigtime. Touts could perceive my discomfort and inexperience, even intimidation and fear at times.

I have since spent almost a year in total over a further 3 visits and feel comfortable in most places. It's interesting that I rarely have a problem now. Touts and the like are so experienced in sizing people up - the package tour Euro tourist in shorts and walk socks with an SLR around their neck, the newbie looking around nervously like a startled rabbit, etc are obvious. The rest less so, but touts can tell so much by appearance, dress, accessories and especially body language.

A lean tanned longtermer will not get much attention, nor a person who is obviously comfortable and self-assured. The key really is internal - the self-assuredness that you are not bothered by touts and that you cannot be persuaded to buy or do anything against your will. Then a direct look and slight shake of the head will normally suffice.

May 8th, 2008, 17:04	#184
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,273	Rhill1, so how is the reading going? How does it make you feel about India? Or have you already been to India? __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

May 8th, 2008, 17:48	#188
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,772	If you hit someone you become the criminal. The tout will have friends, do not expect to have a nice day. Good hotels always attract the worst touts, auto drivers, etc: they go where the money is! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Apr 7th, 2008, 14:40	#182
atala Senior Member, 8 yrs in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland, just back from India 2008 Posts: 691	At Janpath in Delhi near Tibetan Market there is now a curious rule enforced that sales-people can do their thing only from the road unto the side walk, but they are apparently not allowed on the sidewalk itself. Like in a zoo they are walking at the fence, trying to get the attention of the big animals inside. So they come with their wallets and chess-boards and handkerchieves and try their best to sell their thing. Since you have that safety distance to retreat into if overwhelmed by their demands, it is a fun playground to see how to deal with such people in a creative way. Not just fun though, there is also a feeling of pity with them when I do not buy even if they have lowered the price to a ridiculously low rate, because who knows who is at the end of the line, those who manufactured the gadgets for a trifle wage under who knows how awful circumstances. That is India, tragedy and comedy all at once, and at the same time the realization that all these people are alive to a degree and in an intensity that is not possible in my country at least. And they all can eek out a living according to their own means and desires.

May 8th, 2008, 17:24	#186
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,273	Rhill but if you will walk around on your own you will meet touts somewhere or the other Don't forget to share your stories here. I think it takes some getting used to and not losing temper. By the way I am Indian and have lived here all my life, so it is easy to say "don't loose your temper".

May 8th, 2008, 17:52	#189
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,273	Nick, thanks for pitching in. By I mean loosing temper as in getting angry or getting into a shouting match. Hitting is something I was not even thinking about, hitting is counter-productive. Rhill1 what does this mean- "Weather in Delhi a ce moment s'il vous plait??"

May 8th, 2008, 18:04	#192
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,273	Rhill1, it is 40C at highest and 26C at the lowest. But how would you feel if you get surrounded by 10-15 people quickly plus a crowd of bystanders, if you hit someone. India is incredibly crowded and hitting anyone is not a good idea at all.

May 9th, 2008, 04:52	#195
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 530	On my first vist I was targeted bigtime. Touts could perceive my discomfort and inexperience, even intimidation and fear at times. I have since spent almost a year in total over a further 3 visits and feel comfortable in most places. It's interesting that I rarely have a problem now. Touts and the like are so experienced in sizing people up - the package tour Euro tourist in shorts and walk socks with an SLR around their neck, the newbie looking around nervously like a startled rabbit, etc are obvious. The rest less so, but touts can tell so much by appearance, dress, accessories and especially body language. A lean tanned longtermer will not get much attention, nor a person who is obviously comfortable and self-assured. The key really is internal - the self-assuredness that you are not bothered by touts and that you cannot be persuaded to buy or do anything against your will. Then a direct look and slight shake of the head will normally suffice.

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