doing the hustle

If only it were just a dance and not a transaction...

*****
So, after spending a few days in Varanasi, we find ourselves in Goa... India's equivalent to all things sunny and tropical...

Varanasi was an experience. It's the holiest city in all of India, and seems to have more cows than people! After almost being hustled from the moment we got off the plane (pre paid taxi stand is NOT inside the airport, and they wanted $600rps to get into Varanasi) we finally made our way into the city... all the while, the taxi cab driver trying to figure out how many days we'd be in the city, what we needed to see, etc etc... I get that it's their livelihood and all, and that it's what they need to do, but sometimes, I'm totally over it. Even our hotel approved boat guide tried to bring us to a 'silk shop'... We had to tell him that his tip would be much higher if he hadn't done that... We checked out sarnath, which is the birthplace of buddhism, hung out with monks, and mostly kicked it with the cows. It still amazes me to see cows blocking traffic, or going the opposite direction of traffic and everyone just managing around them.
After Varanasi, we paused in Delhi en route to Goa.. which is tropical paradise. After an evening in a german 'guesthouse', it's not actually german, but it's run by a german woman who seems to only get german guests, we've moved to the 30-something's guesthouse, with better water, and an overall experience... so we'll chill beachside for another 3 days until we head to Mumbai..

As for the hustle, I think it really breaks down as such...
Step 1: Get friendly, ask where from, how long in India, impressions of India
Step 2: Ask how long in the city/area
Step 3: Describe the surroundings, points of interest
Step 4: Mention to tourist that they should see this, or attend that, eat this, etc etc.
Step 5 (when approaching destination): Indicate that you are available to drive tourist to sites at a discounted, non-taxed rate, give mobile number.. or in the case of the shopkeeper, discuss that you know that burning silk smells like hair and offer to burn the sari.. sell sari, scarf, pillow cover... when met with "not interested" begin the whole 'they make great gifts, buy for your wife/mother, etc etc"... and so it goes.

I'm beginning to wonder if I can just tell the rickshaw people "hello,you're driving me for xxx$, if you don't drag me to any shops etc, I will give you an extra $$$"... perhaps a test is in order...