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How to Combat Hustlers
How to Combat Hustlers
In a lot of countries you will find hustlers who will usually try and drag you off to their brothers shop or show you some sight or sell you some 'trinket'. This is a real problem in tourist areas but you might come across the problem elsewhere.
The first thing to do is to try not to obviously be a tourist. Even if you do this, you will probably still stand out from the locals and be targeted. The usual way for them to pick you up is simply by calling out 'Hello!' If you turn or show any sign of acknowledgment then they will move in on you. Therefore the first thing is to learn to keep on walking and not to give anything away when some is calling out to you (not as easy as you may think). Especially in tourist areas you will find that they may run through different languages and try funny phrases to get you to show some recognition.
Often they will come up and walk beside you trying to get you to talk, maybe offer to show you the market or something. Be firm say you know where you are going, you do not need a guide and keep walking. If they persist cross the road the busier the better and walk in the opposite way to where they are trying to take you. You could go into a shop or restaurant and if you are followed make it clear to the owner that the person is not with you and is preventing you from buying something. Usually by avoiding getting into a conversation, keeping walking and using some of the ploys mentioned above you will find they lose interest. If you let them walk beside you they will automatically stay there and even if they don't show you anything will usually demand payment for their services. It is important to be polite and not to swear at them. Although this may sound easy it takes a few years of practice to avoid 99% of the hustlers. A final warning if you are using the ploy of disappearing across a busy road, remember to watch the traffic.
Don't Shun the Locals
Not everyone who comes up to talk to you is a hustler some will be locals simply interested in what you are doing there, they may offer to let you stay or show you their house. The difficulty is knowing where you stand. In general if you are away from tourist areas then you are less likely to be hustled. If some one talks to you on a bus or train then the chances are they are genuine. But try and note whether you sat next to them or they sat next to you if it is the later then be cautious.
If you make the first approach, for example, ask which bus to get on and then they start talking the chances are its genuine. There are no hard and fast rules but with experience you will find you can usually tell the genuine article. Remember though if someone came up to you in your hometown and offered to show you something or take you somewhere would you go with them?
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