Insight: Street handouts and vendors

[Traveller]

This is not really directed at the guys who come down here alot, because they know how it goes, but more for the guys who are making their first trip.
Yesterday I got hit up like 6 times for money. A lot of it is from the people selling everything from sunglasses, bracelets, lottery tickets, and CD's. But, you also have the people who just ask for money. I used to give money every once in awhile. You know, whatever change I had in my pocket. Most people, true enough, are glad to get it, but I have had it with these people who, no matter what you give them, want more. Some guy one time was asking for some food while a few of us were at El Corral, he didn't like what we gave him and he threw it at us. Then about 8 hours later tries to hit me up for money while I'm sitting in front of Studio 54. "Yeah right, Buddy! Take a hike!"
Then the guy last night who came up to me and asking me for money to get something to eat. The guy was dressed better than I was. So, I play the "No hablo Espanol." Well, that doesn't normally work because they try and explain it to you. Once again, take a hike.
Another popular scam is the guy running around with a medical receipt for medicine. Usually, they'll drag their kid around saying it is for them. Of course, the kid will die in a week if he he can't buy the medication. Well, after being here for almost 14 months now, that kid ain't dead yet. Same guy, same receipt, same kid.
Every stop light, someone is trying to get a hand out. The kids who get in front of your car and just kind of moves around. Not really dancing, just kind of moving and turning in a circle, then comes to your window wanting the handout. Or, the guys with ax handles who go around and beat buss tires, you know, to make sure they aren't flat for the driver. Well hey, he checked them, the driver should pay him, right? The exception: The Fire Jugglers, those guys are pretty good.
If you went from the South to the North and back again and paid everyone that wanted a handout, you'd be broke. That's why I stopped doing it. You can't save the World. You'd like too, but you can't pay everyone. Oh, I will still give money to the woman who has tattered clothes and is carrying a baby. I'm not totally heartless. Or when the little kids come up and are selling the little mints and things, I'll buy some. I mean really, how can you refuse a cute little 4 year old girl and some are really cute and they tug on your heart strings. Ok, that's the exceptions, but geez everyone else begins to be a pain in the ass. I know that sounds mean, but every time you go somewhere to eat, someone is always trying to sell you something. Shoe shine (when you're wearing sneakers), sell you a lottery ticket even though they know you don't speak Spanish and should know, as a Gringo, you don't know how the system works, try to sell you watch even though your wearing one, sell you sunglasses even though you're already wearing a pair, etc. My philosophy is, I am not going to reward you for interrupting my meal. And, don't get me wrong, it isn't like they pass you by voicing what they are selling. NOOO, they walk right up to you, Hell between you and the person you are talking to andshove CD's into your face or a lottery ticket. Sometimes, it's like if you say no, they'll just straight ask you for money. If you make eye contact with one of them, every single time, they will walk right to you and try to sell something to you.
The remedy my friends, and this still makes me shake my head, just ignore them and don't even look at them. I mean, I don't like doing that, but that is what works. Watch Colombians, they do the same thing. Believe me, if you say, "Thank you, no," they won't go away. They persist. Hell, I don't even shake my head anymore, because they think that because I have given you some notice, you might buy it. Most of us would like to be polite, but it doesn't make them go away, it encourages them. So, just take no notice of them. Unfortunatley, that's what you have to do to make them go away. Don't worry though, they'll be back in about 10 mintues to try again.
If you do buy something, like a rose on 6th Av. or a pair of sunglasses, or give someone some money, EVERYTIME they see you from now on, they will come to you to do it again.
So, new guys beware. Once you hang out on 6th and start exploring the city and you find these people, er well actually, when they find you (they have a nose for Gringos) get the reputation of "Oh, he won't buy anything" or "Oh, he won't give you any money." Except the little girls who sell the mints (I dare you to try and turn them down). At least the mints are useful for something.
Give if you want, that is very nice of you and most people will probably appreciate it, but it is neverending. But, if you don't want to give anymore, the above descriptions is how you get rid of them.
Just had to get this off my chest. Everyday, same thing so I get tired of it. Heck, same people everyday and always a bunch of new ones. I just wanted to relay to the new guys that being rude to these pedelars is normal and that's how you get rid of them. Once again, I know it probably rubs you the wrong way (it does me) but that is just a fact down here and if you are planning a trip here it is something you need to be aware of.
Geez, what a fine novel I will have once I write all this stuff down.
Later,
K..........................................................

[Cali vet]

... in response to Insight: Street handouts and vendors, posted by Traveller on Sep 12, 2002

Many of the fruit vending women on the beaches of Cartagena come from the small town of San Basilio de Palenque a little less than an hour away to the southeast. It's a pueblo that was actually founded over three hundred years ago as a refuge of "negros cimarrones", runaway slaves. The founding father was a Senagalese named Benkos Biojo. I haven't been there but a friend of mine has and she said it's just a dusty little town with part time electricity. The interesting thing about it is that even now the majority don't speak Spanish, they speak a mix of African tribal dialects sprinkled with some Spanish, Portugese and even German words which some of the early inhabitants picked up working as nursemaids or stevadores in Europe. Untill the sixties they even communicated with the neighboring villages of Pava and Gamera using drums. So the next time a lady tries to sell you mangos on a Cartagena beach ask her if she can speak palenquera.

[colman]

... in response to Insight: Street handouts and vendors, posted by Traveller on Sep 12, 2002

LOL, dude your observations and examples are hilarious. Listen when I went to Pereira in '98 is was pretty bad but JESUS not even 10% close to Cartagena as you describe it. I guess its because Cartagena is more of a tourist type of city. All I can say is these people are like piranhas and its ten-fold worst if your an American. I live here in Chicago, and love to visit friends from all over the city. As it turns out, WOW--Chicago in a span of about 10 years have increase dramatically in the amount of street peddlers, bums and homeless people. Ok, people for all of you that live in big cities here in the states--do you guys have people on busy intersections who sell "M&M's" proclaiming that the profits go for church benefit drives? I am sorry if I sound cold-hearted but I one time bought one of these candies from the street sellers (these people can actually compete with the peddlers from Cartagena) and they give you a piece of religious mumble jumble, I called the number for the church and the conversation I had with the person seemed strange, as if they knew why I called. Listen I know not all of these are scams but it makes you think. Also, before going to a liquor store for a six-pack I was approach by person demanding some money, I said I did not have any, then he asked and demanded for the "change" from my purchase. I was steamed and gave him some "attitude" after I made my purchase, in retrospect I should have just given him the stupid loose change instead of risking an altercation. This incident took place in a descent neighborhood. Obviously I now go to the big chain grocery stores to make my purchases. Here are a couple of things I have done to limit confrontations. I always, always wear my sunglasses (the part of the eye contact is so true) and I always have a mean, angry aura. This might not be convincing (I am only about 5' 8" 165#) but trust me most people stay away from "eccentric" people, lol. Also if all fails, dont feel guilty just totally ignore them. Any acknowledgement gives them reason to justify thier bogus scam.--Colman

[JeffA]

... in response to Insight: Street handouts and vendors, posted by Traveller on Sep 12, 2002

In MAnizales, I usually give money to one old man who walks up to the car and asks for money for aguardiente. When my wife asked me why, I said I gave to him because he was honest. Also, if people say no, he doesn't bother them any more. My in-laws thought it was hilarious that I'd give 200 pesos for the honesty. ( I found out that my father in law gives the guy monedas for the same reasons I do.

In terms of limosneros, I think the child window-washers are the worst and the most obnoxious. I usually see their adult 'handler,' or 'boss' on the side of the street waiting to get his take from the kids after they run in traffic to aggravate motorists with clean windhields.

Hadn't though tabout the limosneros in some time-- good post.

[pablo]

... in response to Insight: Street handouts and vendors, posted by Traveller on Sep 12, 2002

Hey Traveler,

I agree with you and I might ad that sometimes a peddler or one asking for a handout has ulterior motives.  A buddy and I were coming out of a restaurant late one night in Bogotá and a young lady got in my face trying to sell me a rose.  I had one hand in my FRONT left pocket holding onto my wallet but she succeeded in reaching into my outside jacket and pick pocketed me.  She "only" got my prescription reading glasses and probably hawked them later for a few quick bucks.  This girl was good too, as I was expecting her to try something but never felt those deft hands.  If one of those vendors get in your face and get a little too close for comfort, shove them off.  Oh, I’ve learned now not to carry anything in these easy to reach pockets.

If you are talking about Cartagena and those street vendors...good grief, talk about persistent.  I think every single tourist and visitor should make a complaint to the hotel they are staying at, something along the lines that “they won't come back to this lovely city until something gets done about the vendors”.  The hotel I stayed at had a safe zone that they could not hawk their wares in but as soon as you crossed that line and got to the sidewalk you were fair game to their incessant sales pitches.  I was warned about the vendors before I got there but little did I know the extent of the in your face problem.