how to handle touts?

veronique · Mar 3rd, 2005, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

I was in Bangalore going out for a drink with a NRI (non-resident Indian) and he said he would get us a cheap rickshaw.

What followed was a ferocious argument in Hindi, I was sure there was going to be a fight and I felt quite uncomfortable.

I’m not sure what was said and I never asked, but I think rickshaws were insulted along with facial features, clothing, home countries, accents, attitudes, local cricket teams and mothers.

I wanted a passer-by to stop this before they killed each other, but nobody else on this street took any notice.

Eventually, after consultations with corner men they were separated by the agreement of a price.

The rickshaw driver then turned to me, “oh no, its my turn now, he's been wound-up so he'll take it out on me, I’ll give him Rs100 for the short journey, I’ll walk, I’ll buy his rickshaw, anything, I’m in a foreign country what the hell do I do now?”

The rickshaw driver smiled at me winked then got into the rickshaw and drove us to our destination.

My friend informed me that this was normal, and since then I look around on Indian streets and see these 'wars' going on all the time.

It’s no wonder the rickshaw drivers love us 'polite' westerners who put up only a token argument over price.

I love ur story...

veronique · Mar 3rd, 2005, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by byronic

The best is to ignore, or for fun, throw them totally off guard.

Bij and I were in Agra about to be surrounded by touts with little wooden chess boards when Bij announced we would now sing and dance the "Dola Reh" song from Devdas. So Bij and I started to sing and dance (he was Aishwarya Rai and I was Madhuri Dixit) "Dola Dola Reh" in the fashionable Bollywood style.
Well you should have seen the touts part like the red sea before Moses and let us pass unmolested!!! The touts didn't know what hit them, as Bij does a mean Aishwarya Rai imitation. We got in our taxi and sped away before they could get autographs too.
So have a good Bollywood song and dance ready to perform if you want the touts to stay away...

dola dola

spinnersingh · Mar 3rd, 2005, 19:15

Ignore them. It isn't your problem. Say you're Bulgarian.

Don't get violent. In India fights can turn into Lynchings.

Aishwara Rai can dance BTW what she can't do is act. Alot of Bollywood actresses are better looking. Like that girl from Tarzan the Wonder Car.

machadinha · Mar 4th, 2005, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by amogasiddhi

In Varanasi, I have figured out that if 'they' can't see your eyes, they can't make eye contact with you and so they either keep saying 'hello' 'where from' 'want boat?' or some other equally idiotic commnet designed by their owners to get you to react in some way or other.
[...]

Too bad you don't seem to be having a very great time after your earlier queries Moga. Nice to hear you're alive though.

TheCrone · Mar 5th, 2005, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by amogasiddhi

Most Indians are careless, selfish, egotistical, money oriented people who would rather get another 50 Rupees off ya, after spitting Paan all over the floor infront of you, than give you something for free.

Wooh! Bit of a sweeping statement that one!
Don't you think, just maybe, that if we can afford to fly all that way to their country, something that the taxi-drivers, rickshaw-wallahs et al would never be able to do, then it's fair enough for them to assume that we have lots more money than they do?
Factor in the problem of having a hundred other taxi-drivers etc all needing to earn money, and you really can't blame them.
We can only look down from our lofty positions of having way more money than sense (another sweeping generalisation, I think!), and try to deal with it, as best we can, preferably with humour.

I like the Bollywood song idea myself. 1-2-3-4 Dhoom machale, oh yeah

soulfood · Mar 5th, 2005, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCrone

I like the Bollywood song idea myself. 1-2-3-4 Dhoom machale, oh yeah

Don't do it! It worked for those guys, well, beacuase they're guys. The touts must have thought them to be crazy/ dangerous and therefore ran for their life. If they see a girl do it, they'll most likely step away and laugh. They might even call their friends.

That might sound like a bit of a sexist remark...but it's an accurate predictor of ground reality nonetheless.

Nick-H · Apr 22nd, 2005, 13:38

I don't think that Chennai has the kind of touts that I read about here, the closest would maybe be Mahabalipuram. But I had an encounter yesterday...

"Hello!" Only R45," the man said, showing me a small book called General Knowledge.

"I don't want".

"R135 in America! only R45!!".

"Yes, but I don' want..."

"General Knowledge! Full of useful facts".

I pointed to my head, "I have lots of general knowledge already!".

He went away, laughing. I like India

Watson · Apr 22nd, 2005, 15:43

I remember a few years back in Varanasi... We took a rik tour around the city on our last day there in the morning. The Rik driver "couldn`t" exchange the cash we handed him so we agreed to meet up at his rank later in the day and that he would drive us to the train station for the left over cash he still had.
Well we wandered off to meet him when the time arrived and SURPRISE! He wasn't anywhere to be seen. Any way I made a major scene saying loudly that I'm gonna call the cops and all that. The rik drivers at the rank started freaking a bit and the guys brother came up and said that he would drive us to the train station and get the money back from his brother later.
Well we got the ride to the staion and, once we arrived, he demanded to get paid for the ride!!! HAHAH- We just got out and left for the platform under his sreaming rages of calling the cops and all that. Ofcourse he didn't call the cops and he LOST!
That was a very cool experience to actualy screw one of them over for a change...:-)

jens · Apr 22nd, 2005, 23:17

I like Nicks story....it's like that sometimes which makes it really fun.

Frooty · Apr 24th, 2005, 15:34

LOL... this is such a cool thread!...

Touts ARE part of the fun of travelling in India... anybody who has spent 5 minutes reading this thread will be able to see that!

Sorry if all this sounds recycled... I am afraid I have no new techniques... the ones already in this thread are more than adequate, From my point of view... being a PIO (and smelling of it)... So heres mmy two cents worth there are two choices to be made...

1) Interact with them.... Only when you are happy and chilled out...

Offer to sell them crap... I usually pull out a few rupee coins and tell them they are special magic rupees and I will sell them only if the person has a clean good soul for only 100 RS... this is usually followed by laughter or staring... I then just put my hand on one of them... and say " you my friend are a good man I will sell to you for 50 RS".... They ALWAYS get the joke and more often then not will live you alone.

Choose to interact with only one of them... Point clearly say YOU!... move a few paces back and beckon him over.... and wave the others away... Then ask him "are you a good man?"... usually say yes... then start walking and he will usually walk alongside.... before he starts the spill... put your hand up and say... "where are u from?".... .... After u have cleared the rest of the touts its alot easier to get rid of just one.

2)Don't wanna interact

Sunglasses, shake your head, look serious or pissed off and keep moving... If anyone blocks your path push them to one side by their shoulder, do not engage, do not stop.

Look above all of them and do not make eye contact... If anyone touches you or your things... stop raise sunglasses, stare put your hand out in front of him a few seconds silence and say "maat ado" (do not touch) then sowly turn around and walk off.

Act mad.... talk gibberish and at random shout a few words... just like you have turrets syndrome.... If they are all trying to handle your bags point say "police!" loudly and start waving your hands in an animated fashion.

The one technique I am gonna try next time is the "maaf karo" one that Shimla has posted.... I can see why that would be so effective... No self respecting (and they all do have a lot of pride) tout would continue to annoy me if I started treating him like a beggar... they tend to see themselves as silver tongued businessmen!

So thats the whole repertoire that I use and is more than enough... I only really felt hassled by touts in CP in delhi... when I had diarrohoea and felt worse for wear...

seventies'hippy · Apr 24th, 2005, 15:47

You've certainly got the right attitude Frooty,,,,,,,,,
Keep it light hearted & have fun.

I'm sure these touts thrive on the tourists who retaliate with aggression, or just ignore them completely. But like you suggest if you can interact, perhaps with a little humour then that goes a long way towards ensuring that you have a safer passage, a tout free ride, & hopefully emerging the other side less stressed out yourself,,,,,,,,

Dr Funkenstein · Apr 24th, 2005, 17:56

Yeah, Frooty's got it right.

Sticking your hand out and going 'one pen, chewing gum, one rupee, chocolate' to the kids works, too.

You usually either get a look of total bewilderment or they just laugh at the daft foreigner. Either way, they know you're a waste of time and generally leave you alone.

Matty Gee · Apr 24th, 2005, 20:23

Amogasiddh, what a nasty poisoness racist you are! Have you not stopped to think for one second how desperate you must be to constantly ask the same question again and again, only to have self-rightious arses like you swish them away with that a contempable Arrogance you are so proud of.

'Which Country?", more like "which planet?"

I am in Varanassi right now, and have been hassled by inumerable people today, most of whome I give money to. I often take boats even when I'd rather walk.

We took one yesterday, it was nice and relaxing, and cool, in such heat....

Listen, Amogasiddhi, take a shower and reapeat infront of the mirror. "I am no more important that any one else" It might make you feel better.

Otherwise go home and rot in your predictable job, in a town where NO one talks to you.......

traceyam · Apr 25th, 2005, 04:02

If you don't want to talk to a tout, start yelling in Klingon. Works for me.

Watson · Apr 25th, 2005, 05:10

Hey Traceyam,
I wish i could talk Klingon! Every now and again I would pretend to be from South Uzbekestan- They didn't know that language either!

Mar 3rd, 2005, 19:15	#78
spinnersingh Spinner Yaar Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 33	Touts Ignore them. It isn't your problem. Say you're Bulgarian. Don't get violent. In India fights can turn into Lynchings. Aishwara Rai can dance BTW what she can't do is act. Alot of Bollywood actresses are better looking. Like that girl from Tarzan the Wonder Car.

Apr 22nd, 2005, 13:38	#82
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,875	I don't think that Chennai has the kind of touts that I read about here, the closest would maybe be Mahabalipuram. But I had an encounter yesterday... "Hello!" Only R45," the man said, showing me a small book called General Knowledge. "I don't want". "R135 in America! only R45!!". "Yes, but I don' want..." "General Knowledge! Full of useful facts". I pointed to my head, "I have lots of general knowledge already!". He went away, laughing. I like India __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 24th, 2005, 15:47	#86
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	You've certainly got the right attitude Frooty,,,,,,,,, Keep it light hearted & have fun. I'm sure these touts thrive on the tourists who retaliate with aggression, or just ignore them completely. But like you suggest if you can interact, perhaps with a little humour then that goes a long way towards ensuring that you have a safer passage, a tout free ride, & hopefully emerging the other side less stressed out yourself,,,,,,,, __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Apr 24th, 2005, 17:56	#87
Dr Funkenstein Joolay !!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh Posts: 854	Yeah, Frooty's got it right. Sticking your hand out and going 'one pen, chewing gum, one rupee, chocolate' to the kids works, too. You usually either get a look of total bewilderment or they just laugh at the daft foreigner. Either way, they know you're a waste of time and generally leave you alone. __________________ Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

Apr 24th, 2005, 20:23	#88
Matty Gee What's wrong with curry for breakfast? I love it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 212	Amogasiddh, what a nasty poisoness racist you are! Have you not stopped to think for one second how desperate you must be to constantly ask the same question again and again, only to have self-rightious arses like you swish them away with that a contempable Arrogance you are so proud of. 'Which Country?", more like "which planet?" I am in Varanassi right now, and have been hassled by inumerable people today, most of whome I give money to. I often take boats even when I'd rather walk. We took one yesterday, it was nice and relaxing, and cool, in such heat.... Listen, Amogasiddhi, take a shower and reapeat infront of the mirror. "I am no more important that any one else" It might make you feel better. Otherwise go home and rot in your predictable job, in a town where NO one talks to you....... __________________ Check my gallery out : http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser =3636

Apr 22nd, 2005, 15:43	#83
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 229	I remember a few years back in Varanasi... We took a rik tour around the city on our last day there in the morning. The Rik driver "couldn`t" exchange the cash we handed him so we agreed to meet up at his rank later in the day and that he would drive us to the train station for the left over cash he still had. Well we wandered off to meet him when the time arrived and SURPRISE! He wasn't anywhere to be seen. Any way I made a major scene saying loudly that I'm gonna call the cops and all that. The rik drivers at the rank started freaking a bit and the guys brother came up and said that he would drive us to the train station and get the money back from his brother later. Well we got the ride to the staion and, once we arrived, he demanded to get paid for the ride!!! HAHAH- We just got out and left for the platform under his sreaming rages of calling the cops and all that. Ofcourse he didn't call the cops and he LOST! That was a very cool experience to actualy screw one of them over for a change...:-)

Apr 22nd, 2005, 23:17	#84
jens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 109	I like Nicks story....it's like that sometimes which makes it really fun.

Apr 24th, 2005, 15:34	#85
Frooty Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK Posts: 43	LOL... this is such a cool thread!... Touts ARE part of the fun of travelling in India... anybody who has spent 5 minutes reading this thread will be able to see that! Sorry if all this sounds recycled... I am afraid I have no new techniques... the ones already in this thread are more than adequate, From my point of view... being a PIO (and smelling of it)... So heres mmy two cents worth there are two choices to be made... 1) Interact with them.... Only when you are happy and chilled out... Offer to sell them crap... I usually pull out a few rupee coins and tell them they are special magic rupees and I will sell them only if the person has a clean good soul for only 100 RS... this is usually followed by laughter or staring... I then just put my hand on one of them... and say " you my friend are a good man I will sell to you for 50 RS".... They ALWAYS get the joke and more often then not will live you alone. Choose to interact with only one of them... Point clearly say YOU!... move a few paces back and beckon him over.... and wave the others away... Then ask him "are you a good man?"... usually say yes... then start walking and he will usually walk alongside.... before he starts the spill... put your hand up and say... "where are u from?".... .... After u have cleared the rest of the touts its alot easier to get rid of just one. 2)Don't wanna interact Sunglasses, shake your head, look serious or pissed off and keep moving... If anyone blocks your path push them to one side by their shoulder, do not engage, do not stop. Look above all of them and do not make eye contact... If anyone touches you or your things... stop raise sunglasses, stare put your hand out in front of him a few seconds silence and say "maat ado" (do not touch) then sowly turn around and walk off. Act mad.... talk gibberish and at random shout a few words... just like you have turrets syndrome.... If they are all trying to handle your bags point say "police!" loudly and start waving your hands in an animated fashion. The one technique I am gonna try next time is the "maaf karo" one that Shimla has posted.... I can see why that would be so effective... No self respecting (and they all do have a lot of pride) tout would continue to annoy me if I started treating him like a beggar... they tend to see themselves as silver tongued businessmen! So thats the whole repertoire that I use and is more than enough... I only really felt hassled by touts in CP in delhi... when I had diarrohoea and felt worse for wear...

Apr 25th, 2005, 04:02	#89
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	If you don't want to talk to a tout, start yelling in Klingon. Works for me. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Apr 25th, 2005, 05:10	#90
Watson You look, No Problem! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 229	Hey Traceyam, I wish i could talk Klingon! Every now and again I would pretend to be from South Uzbekestan- They didn't know that language either!

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

User Name		Remember Me?
Password