how to handle touts?

himadventures · Dec 28th, 2004, 08:15

All posts are correct but I would like to add that
1. Touts can not exist without being thier hand in glove with police and officials ( Railways or whatever )

2. There is always element of risk in dealing,contacting with them.

3. They are more pro than you.

4. Avoid..as someone wrote above..NO EYE CONTACT AND DO NOT TALK...

Still-you feel harassed or someone is trying to touch you..block your way...
Do not hesitate to create scene...finding a police man is not tough...

Dav · Jan 17th, 2005, 12:05

My 2 cents worth:

I think there is a fine line between putting up a wall and ignoring all touts and shutting out India all together. If you simply ignore all that approach you, how much of the real India do you really experience?

I found that mimicking them and having some fun with them was a good way of showing them that you're relaxed and comfortable in their presence.

nomadelmundo · Jan 17th, 2005, 14:11

i usually try to look pissed off and mumble things to myself and occasionally swing randomly into the air... that seems to scare the touts away

ColinM · Jan 18th, 2005, 13:17

Smile inanely - always works for me!

goangoangone · Jan 20th, 2005, 10:12

Pretend to try and sell them something, they soon get pissed off

04274108 · Jan 20th, 2005, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by goangoangone

Pretend to try and sell them something, they soon get pissed off

I agree. That also works very well. Can't say that I've seen people get pissed off but many of them will turn and walk away. Don't let them go. Follow them and bargain with them until they start to run.

Also had a great time in Delhi. with this technique One rickshaw driver wanted to take us for a ride to the Jama Masjid. I told him that I would take him there for 500Rs. We haggled for a bit and I got it down to where I would take him for free. Well needless to say, I had a blast driving him around for a few blocks. I had to stop well before the mosque though because my nerves couldn't cut the traffic. Some coppers gave us some really long unapproving glances too.

Danni · Jan 20th, 2005, 22:45

Hi, I'm new to this place but have been reading the posts for a while. Some of them have made me really laugh out loud. I'm going to India for the first time in March and by the sounds of it, if I act like a bit of a menacing looney, the touts will leave me alone

lyndy · Jan 21st, 2005, 05:27

exactly! but add...more looney.... less menacing....more really crazy....(read Jim Carey, Jack Nicholson crazy)..... and......less agro....it worked a treat for us! have much fun!

amogasiddhi · Jan 21st, 2005, 16:15

A friend told me that a short, sharp 'No!' (with the emphasis on the 'N' should do the trick. If it doesn't, follow the above instructions from everyone and remember not to take it personally. You're not the first and you won't be the last, so don't panic.....DON'T PANIC, REMAIN CALM, DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!

mira4bai4 · Jan 22nd, 2005, 16:40

The first thing that you are suckered into is your calling card as each time you get approached, pulling out your threaded needle and showing how quickly you can make smilies on your hanky and that you have 14 children and your mother in law needs a by pass and your wife if running away with the rickshaw wallah if you don't sell this last needle will invariably do this trick or set you up in business for life. Enjoy the game.

seventies'hippy · Jan 23rd, 2005, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav

My 2 cents worth:

I think there is a fine line between putting up a wall and ignoring all touts and shutting out India all together. If you simply ignore all that approach you, how much of the real India do you really experience?

I found that mimicking them and having some fun with them was a good way of showing them that you're relaxed and comfortable in their presence.

Good reply Dav
Lighten up people,,,, don't get uptight, It's all part n' parcel of India.
If you give off aggressive vibes you'll receive aggressive vibes back.

Shiver me Timbers · Jan 23rd, 2005, 22:22

How about buying them a beer or something? It would get them off your back, and you'd also get to have a real conversation with them, find out about the person behind the tout.

torryquine · Jan 23rd, 2005, 23:07

I might be the first person ever to say this, but we found the touts at Agra Station actually rather helpful

and polite too

goangoangone · Jan 26th, 2005, 10:40

........or just make a ridiculous bid. They walk away in disgust.

tamaique · Jan 26th, 2005, 13:51

which reminds me of "IM threads TOP 5."

Why not use pepper spray? ...or ask around for a safety cloak?

Dec 28th, 2004, 08:15	#46
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,070	Touts-They Are Everywhere-Hand in Glove ! All posts are correct but I would like to add that 1. Touts can not exist without being thier hand in glove with police and officials ( Railways or whatever ) 2. There is always element of risk in dealing,contacting with them. 3. They are more pro than you. 4. Avoid..as someone wrote above..NO EYE CONTACT AND DO NOT TALK... Still-you feel harassed or someone is trying to touch you..block your way... Do not hesitate to create scene...finding a police man is not tough...

Jan 17th, 2005, 12:05	#47
Dav Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 56	My 2 cents worth: I think there is a fine line between putting up a wall and ignoring all touts and shutting out India all together. If you simply ignore all that approach you, how much of the real India do you really experience? I found that mimicking them and having some fun with them was a good way of showing them that you're relaxed and comfortable in their presence. __________________ Davinski

Jan 17th, 2005, 14:11	#48
nomadelmundo a.k.a Sanyasin - the Wandering Aesthetic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 149	i usually try to look pissed off and mumble things to myself and occasionally swing randomly into the air... that seems to scare the touts away __________________ Visit my forum for backpackers, trekkers & hikers where you can share stories, discuss trails, and upload unlimited amount of travel photos for FREE... @ PlanetNomads.com

Jan 18th, 2005, 13:17	#49
ColinM Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 12	Smile inanely - always works for me! __________________ http://cmclennan.blogspot.com - Wandering around India

Jan 20th, 2005, 10:12	#50
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,500	Pretend to try and sell them something, they soon get pissed off __________________ GoanGoan......here

Jan 20th, 2005, 22:45	#52
Danni Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 18	Hi, I'm new to this place but have been reading the posts for a while. Some of them have made me really laugh out loud. I'm going to India for the first time in March and by the sounds of it, if I act like a bit of a menacing looney, the touts will leave me alone

Jan 21st, 2005, 05:27	#53
lyndy (Insubordinate) Sub-junior member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 289	To Danni exactly! but add...more looney.... less menacing....more really crazy....(read Jim Carey, Jack Nicholson crazy)..... and......less agro....it worked a treat for us! have much fun!

Jan 21st, 2005, 16:15	#54
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	A friend told me that a short, sharp 'No!' (with the emphasis on the 'N' should do the trick. If it doesn't, follow the above instructions from everyone and remember not to take it personally. You're not the first and you won't be the last, so don't panic.....DON'T PANIC, REMAIN CALM, DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!

Jan 22nd, 2005, 16:40	#55
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,188	The first thing that you are suckered into is your calling card as each time you get approached, pulling out your threaded needle and showing how quickly you can make smilies on your hanky and that you have 14 children and your mother in law needs a by pass and your wife if running away with the rickshaw wallah if you don't sell this last needle will invariably do this trick or set you up in business for life. Enjoy the game.

Jan 23rd, 2005, 22:22	#57
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	How about buying them a beer or something? It would get them off your back, and you'd also get to have a real conversation with them, find out about the person behind the tout. __________________ Europe to India Overland Andaman's Tips Pakistan Tips Flickr Photos

Jan 23rd, 2005, 23:07	#58
torryquine Oilfield Trash! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 700	I might be the first person ever to say this, but we found the touts at Agra Station actually rather helpful and polite too __________________ http://werenotafraid.com/

Jan 26th, 2005, 10:40	#59
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,500	........or just make a ridiculous bid. They walk away in disgust.

Jan 26th, 2005, 13:51	#60
tamaique Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 23	which reminds me of "IM threads TOP 5." Why not use pepper spray? ...or ask around for a safety cloak?

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