Hello miss, you want souvenir?
No, thank you. 🙂
Very cheap, you lucky for me, you buy something.
No, thank you. 🙂
Me no lucky today, you buy something, I feel happy.
No, thank you. 🙂
Where are you from?
No, thank you. 🙂
Are you traveling alone?
No, thank you. 🙂
Repeat with the next tout.
The lack of a two way conversation, will just make the seller move on to the next foreigner.
If you slip at any point and respond to the questions, the chances of you leaving the conversation politely get low, and then you are just the mean person who led on a seller, when he could be using his time convincing a truly potential customer.
If you are in a brand new place, it does help to be theoretically aware – like knowing which markets/areas you are more likely to find the souvenir/item that you are looking for, being aware of the food streets/shopping streets and even the local happy hour timings.
However, the best thing you can do is explore more and never be too afraid of the unknown. As you travel and get into the groove of the place, you will get a sense of what is authentic and what is mass produced, who is out to cheat you and who you can trust. The touts have an eye for tourists and can figure out a ‘fresh’ traveler versus an experienced one and are less likely to hassle you.
Always be firm, never get angry, and never get intimidated. Smile 🙂 . The poor chap is only looking to make a few extra bucks, which you ‘obviously’ can afford.
It is all part of a beautiful experience, and once you return, all you remember are the great memories and may even be pleased that the over enthusiastic and persuasive local actually gave you a great deal :).
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