Bad Taste In My Mouth...

[hamishgillan]

I'm not a big player on Thai Visa but-

When arriving in Asia Pacific years ago, one of the first things to deal with was 'unruly' dogs on the street.

I learned by example after nearly being bitten a couple of times that all it took was a few stones thrown in their direction, or simply turning to face them or even pretending to pick up a stone was all it took to clear things up.

But then a new threat has appeared on the horizon- Indian Tailors. I still haven't worked out away to pacify them, or just get them to ignore me.

This started in the Khao san area but reached its peak on the streets of Kowloon, where if you walk along the Nathan Rd you will be relentlessly badgered by young touts trying to coax you into their bosses Tailor shop.

No matter how many times they see you they don't seem to realise that if you didn't want to buy a suit on the first day then the chances are you won't want to buy a suit on the second day or the third, fourth etc., They Just kept on with it.

I did go into one of the shops and try explaining it to them, that even though I had already walked passed several Tailor shops and still walking along, (smile fading!) then perhaps that would mean that I was not interested in buying a suit.

(I was applying for a tourist Visa for Thailand before I discovered Lao)

But the more recent pest of a simlar nature is Tuk-Tuk or 'Jumbo' drivers in Vientiane, I just returned this morning from Lao with a 'Bad taste in my mouth', everything else was good, nice food, free double entry tourist visa.

I wasn't able to set foot outside my Guest house without men as far as 30 metres away hollering at me to take a tuk-tuk ride, and at almost every intersection on the way to the Thai Consulate "tuk-tuk" was whispered from the shade, even though I was walking at a good pace.

To really justify this rant- last time, 3 months ago in Vientiane, I was stepping INTO the front lobby of the Guesthouse where I was staying, and a tuk-tuk driver still says "tuk-tuk".

You know, in anyone elses brain, stepping into the guesthouse lobby, (no backpack), means you have reached your destination. But not a tuk tuk driver.

Mabye I just have too much time on my hands or something but these instances seem to really mar what otherwise is a good time.

What's your point of view?......

[tuky]

I understand how you feel.

It took me quite a while to work out how to avoid them here in Indo. Every car and motorbike here is either a taxi or an ojek (motorbike taxi) and they are all trying to get6 you into their car/ojek.

I worked out what was going on oneday when I was parked in my car at the lights and an ojek pulled up next to me. He started signalling me asking if I wanted an ojek. <deleted>? I am driving my own car, why the &%$#& would I need an ojek.

Or stepping out of one taxi and immediately all the other taxi drivers are beeping their horns and clapping their hands trying to get you into their taxi, <deleted> I just got out of a taxi

My theory is that they get a kick out of it, they are bored crapless and they find it to be a little bit of sport. So a couple of times now when the ojek claps and yells for me to get on his bike I have, to tell him my destination is across the street. Everyone gets a laugh and now after some considerable time most ojeks near my house ignore me.

[Thaddeus]

But then a new threat has appeared on the horizon- Indian Tailors. I still haven't worked out away to pacify them, or just get them to ignore me.

Buy one of these........

And give them a quick blast when they get too close.

[MSingh]

No eye contact, no smile, no verbals, just walk on, trust me it will work quick enough & they won't bother you...

[dave111223]

An awful lot of ranting about what people said to you....get an iPod or some ear plugs if you hate hearing people say "tuk-tuk" or "hello sir, you want a suit" that much.

[samuibeachcomber]

everything mentioned is perculiar to asia,its part of life here...............just keep moving but accept it,why let it upset you.

[neverdie]

Theres some dead set c*ckheads in that game, but seriously who gets the best laugh, a.) the idiot taxi/tuk tuk driver who earns 8-15k thb per month, sits around in the heat all day wearing a silly little vest & paying their dues to various mafias (aka police etc) & has a face like a monkey or b.) You?

Its a no brainer.

[desi]

What's your point of view?......

That this is another one of those times where it's GREAT to be a Western women in Thailand 

[TerryLH]

"This started in the Khao san area but reached its peak on the streets of Kowloon, where if you walk along the Nathan Rd you will be relentlessly badgered by young touts trying to coax you into their bosses Tailor shop."

My wife and I had a good laugh at one of the touts in Kowloon recently.

After being told 'No", he turned around and we could see the back of his shirt. It wasn't an off-the-rack shirt, oviously home/tailor made, but one of worst sewing jobs we had ever seen. The seams were all puckered up.

Avoiding eye contact and saying 'no" seemed to work okay.

[hamishgillan]

Thanks for the good feedback so far, and a little more-

When leaving Hong Kong with bag over shoulder, climbing onto the airport bound bus, one 'Tailor tout' in a last ditch effort says-"want to buy a suit", I suppose he though he could have it ready in less than five seconds, that similar thing really happened too.

I suppose the overall motive is money, no that that makes it any less irritating!

Edited April 11, 2009 by hamishgillan

[BigSnake]

Everytime one approach react by asking for 10 baht for coffee, that don't work take a Thai Girl friend with you, make sure she know the routine, my guess is they think she has all your money already so while bother with you.

[JetsetBkk]

No eye contact, no smile, no verbals, just walk on, trust me it will work quick enough & they won't bother you...

Yes. Act as if they are invisible and you are deaf.

[highlander76]

Just ignore them do not talk to them do not shake hands with them and never go into their shops if that does not work tell them to f"ck off in thai

[sanook2me]

uuummhh let me see -

Indian tailors they are a nuisance when you're walking past their shop and they ask you for some business and you keep walking.......

Cross the road and save your agony when approaching an Indian tailor... Simple

The peasants are revolting

[tuky]

uuummhh let me see -

Indian tailors they are a nuisance when you're walking past their shop and they ask you for some business and you keep walking.......

Cross the road and save your agony when approaching an Indian tailor... Simple

The peasants are revolting

Much easier said than done, especially in a place like Beach Rd Pattaya where your probably safer with the touts.

How do you justify a comment like this? you would be walking in a zigzag.

Or perhaps you would be better off like the Russian and Australian Gov'ts are advising tourists...Stay in your hotel in Thailand, do not venture out.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25323637-23109,00.html