touts can be very annoying, especially when 1st arrive in india or after a long journey. sometimes i was polite in refusal (often doesn't work), sometimes ignored people (makes me feel bad), and occasionally i was rude and brash. is there a simple way to get rid of these people so they don't bother you? e.g. a phrase in indian or certain body language? what works for you?

as good as nothing works to keep these vultures away from you...

i once spoke to a young girl who told me that the whole idea behind hassling you was, that if they hassled you enough, you maybe would give ´em something..just to get rid of ´em...
if they wouldn´t hassle you at all, they would certainly get nothing.

is not to show anger, but to absolutely ignore any contact. no eye contact, smile, nothing. sometimes touts tag for a bit, but i just go where i am going, give them absolutely nothing, and eventually they go away.

the key is NO CONTACT. for me, this works. WEBYATRA - YES THE MESSAGE IS I AM NOT INTERESTED

If I am staying in one place for more than a few days I will explain to most sellers on the first day or two that if they gave it to me for free I would give it back.

This leads to a peaceful time for the last few days from most of the sellers. There was one guy selling smokes in Kovalam that didnt get the message though.

NAY! in a firm tone...

Ignore them

 

is that burning intensity with which many Indians seem to go about their own business, that utter focus on their own affairs that clearly says, "Don't even try it. You'll get nowhere."

Unfortunately, I"m too laid back to pull that off.

As mentioned above, ignoring them is often a good tactic. But in case anyone's interested in another approach, here's something that has worked for me.-WEBYATRA - IS ALSO NICE APPROACH

1. If walking, say, "No, brother," and keep walking.

2. If they follow persistently, engage them, put your arm around their shoulders. They will immediately start to laugh.

You've just thrown them off balance.WEBYATRA - THAT IS THE KEY ! Next, take the initiative. Ask them are they doing well, are they selling a lot today? Tell them that you are sure that what they are selling is very nice, but you have been to India many times, are not buying anything right now, and they will probably do better if they find someone who's just arrived in India recently.WEBYATRA OFTEN SAYS TO THEM - CAN YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING ; THEY LAUGH AND GO AWAY ( THROW OFF BALANCE )

Tell them good luck, and release their shoulder. Something about this combination of clasping and releasing often works for me. They may follow half-heartedly for a while, but they seem realize they have made true contact with me, and I am not buying. At the same time, I have been friendly, and provided them with a bit of good feeling (many Indian men seem to love holding hands/ embracing shoulders).

But as mentioned above, nothing works all the time. Such times are designed to teach us patience, I guess.