How to deal with Touts

Date: 22 September 2010 20:10

In touristy areas touts will constantly call to you advertising their
wares. In some areas they will follow you insisting on selling. As a
general rule the more aggressive they are the more they will rip you
off or the more commission they will receive (sometimes 40% in the
really desperate hotels) . Many are smooth talkers who would sell
their grandma if the price is right. Most seem very friendly and are
very persistent. Once they realize that you won't buy or follow them
many will simply walk off cursing you.

How to deal with these people -

1) Say hello. Once they have your attention prepare for the onslaught
of questions or complete rundown of everything they could offer you
and why they are the best. They become very hard to get rid of. Most
of the info they give is false so talking to these people is
confusing. (The hotel you want to go is full. I know a nice hotel)

2) Ignore them. Pretend they don't exist. Don't even glance their way.
This is how the guidebook, tourist office and locals suggest you deal
with them. Occasionally they will follow you closer and get louder but
most will leave you alone.

3) Pretend you don't understand. "No I won't go shopping with you. I
know it really is scary in there but you are a big boy. You can go by
yourself."  "No I don't have a hotel you can stay at I am a tourist
here. No I haven't been on a camel safari.  You must go and tell me
what it is like. Let me take you to a travel agent that can book one
for you". After a while a good natured tout will smile once he
realizes he has been had.

4) Be rude. Very effective for those that won't leave you alone.
Simply asking "Do you understand English?" Which they will always say
yes to. Then tell them "Goodbye". Most get the hint very fast.

5) Offer them food. Maybe a banana or something you have on hand like
an empty water bottle. This totally throws them off their game.
Perhaps they are a bit insulted or maybe just confused but they
quickly leave you alone. If you persist with your offer they will
often tell you to go away and they may actually run from you.

In rare circumstances really aggressive ones will resort to following
you while cursing and yelling if they do not get their way. Walking
toward a policeman quickly sorts that out.

The hard part of all this is deciding who  wants nothing but your
money and who is legitimately interested in talking  to you. .