My workmates and I have been planning to go to Thailand for about a year now. We’re finally doing it in two months and we’re doing our individual research about the place and the culture in preparation. I saw in one of the blogs I’ve read that vendors in tourist spots can be quite pushy on what they are selling, and that they had a pretty bad experience with them when they went there for an asian matchmaking tour.
How do we turn them down without insulting them or appearing too harsh? The least thing we want to happen is to cause some trouble while in there. What do we do if saying “no thanks” won’t make them back off?
Reply to this Smile and shake your head no or say no. They understand no! For my accent my Thai "NO" sounds something like mai kawp.
Google up how to say NO in the Thai language. There are audio recordings you can listen too. (While you are at it also learn how to say THANK YOU too!)
You don't need to have an extended conversation with someone you pass by on a street or someone who is trying to get your attention. (But in case someone is yelling a warning at you to be careful or you will fall in a hole make a quick evaluation if it is a solicitation or a caution!)
Always be polite and smile while moving on. Being nasty doesn't help any!
Up to you!
Reply to this As a Canadian, we are polite by a default. So I find shopping in foreign countries painful. You don't have to be rude, no is no and they know it. Anywhere in the world, the street vendors and touts all use varying levels of pressure but they all have the same goal, to make the sale. No matter how charming, they are not interested in making friends with you, they are strictly business. I've gotten pretty good at saying No over the years, and use the same tactics as mentioned by the bloggers above, like avoiding conversation, eye contact, or lingering. These are open invitations for the hard sell, and believe me, they have all day to convince you that you NEED that sparkly bing-bangely thing that won't fit in your luggage anyhow.
But what happens if you DO want to buy something? They watch your eyes and notice if you gaze upon something extra long, and move in for the kill. If you do want something, be confident and ask the price. The rule of thumb is to half it. You may have to go back and forth a bit and even walk away before you agree, but bottom line, if you think the item is priced reasonably, then buy it. They also have tactics like rolling out all their carpets onto the floor, or taking all their neatly folded shirts and piling them in front of you, to guilt you into a sale. Another tactic is they have no change, get to know their currency and always give them exact dollar amount.
Also, you are in a 3rd world country and some of us get caught up in the winning. I know I have whittled some vendors down to ridiculous amounts before they agree. If this is the case, I often give them their full asking price even after our bargaining negotiations are over. They need that $5 more than I do. Remember, some are living on the edge of disaster. Be kind. Smile. Joke. Learn a few words, like Thank you and Hello, how are you? Relax. Travel is an adventure, and this is just part of it.
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