how to handle touts?

no1really · May 9th, 2008, 05:48

Once while in Varanasi a young man was harassing me relentlessly with one of those colourful dye and stamp kits. Finally when he started grabbing at my person, after politely ignoring him, then asking him to leave, I looked at him and said,
'If you do not leave me alone, lord Shiva the destroyer will haunt you in your dreams tonight."

He looked up at me with eyes doubling like saucers, his face horrified and astonished. All he could say was, "LADY...do not say that." I said, "It is true, he will." He turned around and walked away immediately.

Looking back, I do not know if this was the right thing to say. I had no idea how effective it would be and felt bad for scaring him. However, seeing that it worked so well if I were ever in this situation again (I do not like my body being touched by touts of any age) I would perhaps threaten the wrath of shiva. It is hard to say.

adamp · May 9th, 2008, 07:06

When I was in Cambodia (Which is bad but probably not near as bad as India) some people I met, and I just bought a few small water guns from the market and when touts would approach we would point it at them and shake our heads "no" with a big smile and they would laugh and smile back and then keep walking. No one seemed offended, everyone thought it was funny. And we gave them to the kids when we left.

good times.

in reality, like other people have said, its usually pretty fun to just stop and chill with a random tout and BS with them for a while.

EDIT: Speling and mistake grammers

rhill1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 10:50

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.

mridula...nice and hot at present?? there in 1 wk!!

mridula · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:11

Didn't get it, so are you in Delhi? This time the summer has been mild!

rhill1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Didn't get it, so are you in Delhi? This time the summer has been mild!

there in one week...wife & i having 2 weeks there next sat. am...should be a memorable trip...this site is incredible!!!!!!!!

hope the hot weather returns!!!!!!!!!!

mridula · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:20

Haven't got enough caffeine in my system, so misread your text previopusly. Who knows the heat will return but the weather people say this has been the wettest and mildest summer ever! Hope you will have a fun trip.

rhill1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Haven't got enough caffeine in my system, so misread your text previopusly. Who knows the heat will return but the weather people say this has been the wettest and mildest summer ever! Hope you will have a fun trip.

cheers mate!...I want a hot summer!!!!

How are the touts going at the airport??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mridula · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:40

Is there some pre-arrangement for you? Is someone a hotel cab picking you up? Otherwise if you look lost touts are going to approach you and quote exorbitant fares.

There are pre-paid taxis available and they are the safest bet if someone is not picking you up.

rhill1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Is there some pre-arrangement for you? Is someone a hotel cab picking you up? Otherwise if you look lost touts are going to approach you and quote exorbitant fares.

There are pre-paid taxis available and they are the safest bet if someone is not picking you up.

past the touts, leave the airport and walk out to the right...is this correct??

mridula · Jun 20th, 2008, 11:53

As I do not use pre-paid ever (my family members would obviously pick me up) I really do not know where the pre-paid is, left or right

But these two threads should be of help to you.

Radio Cabs / Dial-a-Cab in Delhi

Prepaid cab from intl. arrivals

rhill1 · Jun 20th, 2008, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

As I do not use pre-paid ever (my family members would obviously pick me up) I really do not know where the pre-paid is, left or right

But these two threads should be of help to you.

Radio Cabs / Dial-a-Cab in Delhi

Prepaid cab from intl. arrivals

many thanks...i will not have TOO many red wines on the plane...need my wits about me when i get there!!!!!!!!!!

rhill1 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Haven't got enough caffeine in my system, so misread your text previopusly. Who knows the heat will return but the weather people say this has been the wettest and mildest summer ever! Hope you will have a fun trip.

seems to be hotting up??

mridula · Jun 23rd, 2008, 15:43

Nope, by Indian standards it is still quite mild

rhill1 · Jun 23rd, 2008, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Is there some pre-arrangement for you? Is someone a hotel cab picking you up? Otherwise if you look lost touts are going to approach you and quote exorbitant fares.

There are pre-paid taxis available and they are the safest bet if someone is not picking you up.

just so i can sleep well... do you just walk straight ahead and get to the pre-paid booth to the right outside...how much to the metropolitan Hotel near CP?? 350 rupees?? Is it easy to get rid of all the touts?????????????

Cheers!
rhill1

triliana · Jun 29th, 2008, 20:32

The kids in Sarojini market who won't leave you alone... don't leave you alone. But they're kids so you dont want to get in their face either.

So I just look around for some other foreign-looking people, point them out to the kid, and say 'unko pooch lo' - go ask them. They run away obediently to bother the other foreigners.

So sorry if I sent them to you

Jun 20th, 2008, 11:11	#199
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	Didn't get it, so are you in Delhi? This time the summer has been mild! __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Getting a handle on Karma	mira4bai4	Yoga, Spirituality, and Religion in India	36	Oct 2nd, 2005 01:32
more or less touts?	belleshell	Scams and Annoyances in India	3	Mar 28th, 2004 07:37
Touts and All That	Heraclitus	Scams and Annoyances in India	23	Jan 5th, 2003 19:52
Touts on trains	Midnite Toker	Humour - It Only Happens in India	2	Nov 20th, 2001 04:19

May 9th, 2008, 05:48	#196
no1really Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: krismanastahn Posts: 1	Once while in Varanasi a young man was harassing me relentlessly with one of those colourful dye and stamp kits. Finally when he started grabbing at my person, after politely ignoring him, then asking him to leave, I looked at him and said, 'If you do not leave me alone, lord Shiva the destroyer will haunt you in your dreams tonight." He looked up at me with eyes doubling like saucers, his face horrified and astonished. All he could say was, "LADY...do not say that." I said, "It is true, he will." He turned around and walked away immediately. Looking back, I do not know if this was the right thing to say. I had no idea how effective it would be and felt bad for scaring him. However, seeing that it worked so well if I were ever in this situation again (I do not like my body being touched by touts of any age) I would perhaps threaten the wrath of shiva. It is hard to say.

May 9th, 2008, 07:06	#197
adamp Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ausin, Texas, USA Posts: 3	When I was in Cambodia (Which is bad but probably not near as bad as India) some people I met, and I just bought a few small water guns from the market and when touts would approach we would point it at them and shake our heads "no" with a big smile and they would laugh and smile back and then keep walking. No one seemed offended, everyone thought it was funny. And we gave them to the kids when we left. good times. in reality, like other people have said, its usually pretty fun to just stop and chill with a random tout and BS with them for a while. EDIT: Speling and mistake grammers

Jun 20th, 2008, 11:20	#201
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	Haven't got enough caffeine in my system, so misread your text previopusly. Who knows the heat will return but the weather people say this has been the wettest and mildest summer ever! Hope you will have a fun trip.

Jun 20th, 2008, 11:40	#203
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	Is there some pre-arrangement for you? Is someone a hotel cab picking you up? Otherwise if you look lost touts are going to approach you and quote exorbitant fares. There are pre-paid taxis available and they are the safest bet if someone is not picking you up.

Jun 20th, 2008, 11:53	#205
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	As I do not use pre-paid ever (my family members would obviously pick me up) I really do not know where the pre-paid is, left or right But these two threads should be of help to you. Radio Cabs / Dial-a-Cab in Delhi Prepaid cab from intl. arrivals

Jun 23rd, 2008, 15:43	#208
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	Nope, by Indian standards it is still quite mild

Jun 29th, 2008, 20:32	#210
triliana Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vasant Kunj, New Delhi Posts: 43	The kids in Sarojini market who won't leave you alone... don't leave you alone. But they're kids so you dont want to get in their face either. So I just look around for some other foreign-looking people, point them out to the kid, and say 'unko pooch lo' - go ask them. They run away obediently to bother the other foreigners. So sorry if I sent them to you

User Name		Remember Me?
Password