Share your tips on how to deal with them.
I leaned a long time ago the best action to spend them off was to say nothing, give no eye contact, and wave the pointer finger
back and forth in a "no fashion". This is what the locals do in Latin America. It seems to work everywhere for
me.
Tim
tjp765
Reply to this I do think that part of the problem is tourists giving them whatever they want though
Exactly...and a lot of touts prey on that and make the more naive tourists feel guilty for not buying from them.
wave the pointer finger back and forth in a "no fashion". This is what the locals do in Latin America. It seems to work everywhere for me.
If you did this in Asia you would be seen as very, very rude and pointing with your finger is a big no-no!
Our method of dealing with touts is to say 'no thank you', firmly and try not to make eye contact. If they carry on pestering then we give them a bit of a talking to, asking if they understand etc.
Taxi touts however, are a whole different matter when they start pushing and pulling on our big rucksacks...now at that point it's time to spin around very fast trying to knock as many out the way...a bit like skittles. These taxi touts really don't know what it's like to be carrying big rucksacks and a smaller day sack on the front and how precariously balanced that can be, so any little bit of pushing on their part can send us hurtling to the floor!
Reply to this I just say: "No, thank you." And then I make an effort to remain silent and start walking.
Reply to this I often resent the touts, for the frequency at which I have to say ''no thank you'' or ''I have one already''. With touts, I think it is a case of you just cant win, because no matter what you do, they intrude into your thoughts ever moment, until you go inside a hotel, cafe... I try to preserve some of my energy by avoiding getting frustrated and/or aggressive, but the constant harassment is almost unbearably wearing, in my opinion.
Reply to this I'm in Bali - I've not found the touts to be any trouble at all. Yes, there is a constant background noise of individuals saying 'Taxi. Transport, massage?' But it doesn't bother me. I treat it as background noise, of no more relevance than traffic noise. I don't say anything, in fact I never even turn my head to acknowledge that I've heard them, let alone make the mistake of catching anyone's eye. Basically, I screen them out so that I don't really hear them.
They can not hassle you if you play deaf and dumb. Its a trick I learned from being on the receiving end of that sort of silent treatment when I worked in a call centre. I suspect that the touts find the way I behave very frustrating. I know I found it frustrating when someone on the other end of the phone went silent on me!
As a result I don't get frustrated or aggressive because I don't let them intrude on my thoughts.
Reply to this I am going to try your technique next time, Stuart. I like the energy saving aspect of doing and saying nothing at all. I sure hope I can succeed with tuning them out. That would make travelling in some places so much more relaxing. 😊
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