The Time I Tipped My Rickshaw Driver While Visiting Udaipur, India

Traveling in select areas of Northern India was the pinnacle of my entire 2010-11 backpacking trip across Asia.

Prior to landing in India, I had started to get a little road weary and ‘templed out’ revisiting a lot of familiar areas in SE Asia.

India provided the kind of stimulation – and more importantly the challenge – that I had been subconsciously craving without ever knowing it at the time.  Some of these challenges proved to be extraordinary experiences while others were merely frustrating and demoralizing.

Nearby the Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, India

One particular aspect of traveling in India I had began to loathe was the experience of taking an auto rickshaw from point A to B.

The amount of negatively charged experiences with rickshaw drivers was really starting to mount up.

While traveling in Old Delhi I spent time visiting the impressive Jama Masjid and other surrounding areas.

I had just recently recovered enough from a horrific case of food poisoning, that had left me bedridden for several days, finally mustering up enough energy to venture around and explore Old Delhi on foot.

Overextending myself and feeling completely knackered as my body started to throb from head to toe, I realized I didn’t have the energy to make it back to the nearest subway station.

The Time I Tipped My Rickshaw Driver In India

Jama Masjid silhouette in Old Delhi, India

A rickshaw driver offered me a ride back to my guest house (several kilometers away) at a price that seemed reasonable.

After agreeing on the price I hopped on and we began our journey through an endless maze of crowded markets and streets bustling to the brim with activity.

Just outside of my intended destination point the driver suddenly stopped and indicated the ride was over.

Although I insisted he take me a bit further to my guesthouse it became suddenly clear this was the end point – a location far enough away from the tourist police and other foreigners.

I reached into my pocketbook and secured the agreed upon fare for the ride.

As I motioned to hand it over to him, I couldn’t believe his reaction.

He refused it entirely crossing his hands and glaring at me with contempt in his eyes.

Dumbfounded, I gestured once again for him to receive the money but he steadfastly refused.

Suddenly he demanded I pay an exorbitant fee of four times the amount we had agreed upon.

At this point my frustration level had entered into the red zone and I simply marched over to his rickshaw and placed the money on the seat and proceeded to walk away.

Hectic street scene in Old Delhi

I knew this was far form over.

Moments later I felt a forceful tug on my shoulder.  As I pivoted I thrust back with force to push his hand off of me and allow my body to face him directly.

We glared at each other with disdain for what seemed to be eternity, but in reality was probably just several seconds.

The fine line between us exchanging blows is something that make me feel queasy even to this day.

As he finally backed off, I felt puzzled by my reaction to the entire situation.

Wouldn’t it have made more sense just to have paid the newly requested fee (the equivalent of several more dollars) to avoid escalating conflict?

Was it worth nearly getting into a violent physical confrontation over a small amount of money?

At first the answer seemed obvious – ‘NO’ – but as I further reflected I felt an increasing sense of awareness.

It wasn’t the money that was an issue.  It was about being treated with respect.  This wasn’t a dispute over a transaction, from my perspective, as much as it was a refusal on my part to be treated without a shred of humanity.

Although visibly and mentally shaken I felt an odd sense of pride that I had stood up for myself.   I wasn’t bullied.  I didn’t give in.

Opposite Experience in Udaipur, India

Several weeks later when I was visiting Udaipur I found myself in a situation where I’d be needing the services of a rickshaw driver yet again.

Absolutely dreading the situation – the haggling, hassles and persistent requests for further services – I found myself approaching the driver in a tense detached manner.

Photo of a bird soaring in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

To my surprise, he quoted me a price that seemed reasonable enough not to bargain down.

As I went to secure my bag on the passenger seat I felt hands assisting me.

He took my backpack out of my hands and lifted it on top of the seat.

As we set off on our journey to the station, I started to relax a little more.

He started up a conversation in which he genuinely seemed invested in what I had to say.

As I began to realize he wasn’t trying to butter me up for additional services, I became more open and engaging with my answers.

When we finally arrived he helped lift my bag out of the rickshaw and I couldn’t help but notice the radiant smile on his face.

Before I could even put my hand in my pocket to pull out my wallet, he wished me well on my journey.

Not demanding a tip nor trying to rip me off he treated me like a valued human being – as opposed to a walking ATM machine

Without hesitation, I reached into my wallet and handed him over several bills.  The tip I included was a generous one, but as much as he likely appreciated it I owed him more gratitude than he could have ever imagined.

Sometimes it’s just the little things that make a world of a difference.

The lessons I learned from this particular encounter are worth far more than the tip I gave the driver.

Ever since, I’ve become better at detaching from past experiences and treating new ones as thought they are blank slate.

I’ve learned many lessons on the road but this was one of the greatest yet.

A cute girl with a cow in Udaipur, India

How To Handle Being Ripped Off In India

India is a country that has a reputation for being a challenging destination for travelers. One of the difficulties that visitors may encounter is being ripped off. Although it is not pleasant, it is a common occurrence in India. However, there are ways to handle being ripped off, and these tips can help you to stay calm and protect yourself.

The first step to take is to remain calm and avoid showing any aggression or anger. It is important to remember that getting angry or aggressive will not help the situation and may only make it worse. Instead, try to stay calm and assertive.

If you feel that you have been ripped off, try to negotiate a fair price. It may be possible to come to an agreement with the person who ripped you off, especially if you can explain why you feel the price was unfair.

It is also a good idea to do your research beforehand so that you have a general idea of what prices to expect. This can help you to avoid being ripped off in the first place. You can also ask locals for advice on fair prices and trustworthy vendors.

Another tip is to always agree on a price beforehand. If you are taking a taxi or purchasing an item, make sure to agree on the price beforehand so that there are no surprises later on.

Finally, remember that being ripped off is not the end of the world. It may be frustrating and upsetting, but it is important to keep things in perspective and remember that it is just one experience in your overall journey. Focus on the positive experiences and try not to dwell on the negative.

By following these tips, you can handle being ripped off in India in a calm and confident manner. Remember to stay calm and assertive, do your research, agree on prices beforehand, and keep things in perspective. With these tools, you can make the most of your travels in India and avoid unnecessary stress and frustration.

How To Tip For Great Service In India

Tipping in India is a common practice, especially in the travel and hospitality industry. If you receive great service from someone during your travels in India, it is appropriate to leave a tip as a gesture of gratitude. However, it’s important to understand the local customs and norms surrounding tipping to avoid any cultural misunderstandings.

In India, tipping is not always expected, but it is appreciated. The amount of the tip can vary depending on the type of service and the level of satisfaction you feel. For example, if you’re staying in a hotel, it’s customary to tip the housekeeping staff between 50-100 rupees per day, depending on the level of service provided. It’s also common to tip the staff who help with your luggage, such as bellhops or porters, around 20-50 rupees per bag.

In restaurants, a service charge is often added to the bill, but it is still customary to leave an additional tip of 10% if you received good service. If you’re getting street food, such as from a food cart or vendor, it’s not necessary to leave a tip. However, if you feel that the service was exceptional, you can give a small amount, such as 10-20 rupees.

It’s important to note that some businesses in India have a strict no-tipping policy. For example, many upscale hotels and restaurants do not allow their staff to accept tips. If you’re unsure whether tipping is appropriate or not, it’s always best to ask before leaving a tip.

In India, it’s also common to give small gifts or tokens of appreciation instead of cash tips. For example, you could give a small souvenir or a box of sweets to show your gratitude.

Ultimately, tipping in India is a personal choice based on your level of satisfaction with the service you received. By following the local customs and norms surrounding tipping, you can show your appreciation and respect for the people who have made your travels in India enjoyable.

Stay Safe While Traveling In India

India is a beautiful and vibrant country that offers a wealth of cultural experiences for travelers. However, like any country, it’s important to take steps to ensure your safety while traveling in India. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

  1. Dress conservatively: India is a conservative country, and it’s important to respect local customs by dressing modestly. Avoid revealing clothing and opt for clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
  2. Use licensed transportation: When traveling around India, use only licensed transportation. This includes taxis, buses, and trains. Unlicensed transportation may not be safe, and you could be putting yourself at risk by using it.
  3. Be wary of scams: Scams are common in India, particularly in tourist areas. Be wary of anyone offering you a deal that seems too good to be true, and always use common sense.
  4. Be cautious with your valuables: Keep your valuables, such as your passport and money, in a secure location. Don’t leave them unattended in your hotel room or in a public place.
  5. Stay aware of your surroundings: When traveling in India, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings at all times. This includes keeping an eye on your belongings and being aware of who is around you.
  6. Research your destination: Before you travel to a new destination in India, do your research. This includes learning about the local customs and any safety concerns you should be aware of.
  7. Avoid traveling alone at night: It’s generally not recommended to travel alone at night in India, particularly for women. If you must travel at night, do so with a group or using licensed transportation.

By following these tips and using common sense, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to India.

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106 Comments

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  1. We did it, by driving for 13 days from Chennai- Mumbai in the 2009 Mumbai Express Rickshaw Challenge. Indian rckshaw drivers is one of the things about a trip to India that gives most Westerners headaches. Travelling by auto is great fun but, thanks to the open windows.

  2. says: anna

    Great story! One of our mates is actually doing the rickshaw run in India now. Have you heard of it? Basically, they are driving rickshaws all over India on a race for charity!

  3. says: Jenna

    An inspirational blog post! Thank you for the share! I have wrote my own one as well – and created a video of one of my terrible experiences in Bangalore, India. Please share as much as you can, I can’t believe how much of an issue it is across India today! Let’s stop SCAMMERS!

    I also had a similar experience but I usually treat them like dogs or children – which is terrible to say but very necessary. If I am not ripped off.. I tip them, if they do rip me off, well then.. screw it.. I’m still paying normal price. One month in India and I’m glad to same I’m back at ease in Germany.

  4. Oh, yeah! Rickshaws are tough to deal with in India. We just drove an auto rickshaw 2,500 miles across India and I loved seeing it from the other perspective. We saw a few tourists getting haggled and pulled up and told them we’d drive them for free. You would have thought someone had been shot as dozens of (seemingly-asleep) drivers jumped to their feet and started screaming at us. It is addictive to scam the scammers, I promise.

  5. says: Ross

    Fair play for standing up for yourself. I had a similar experience in Indonesia with a taxi driver. As you say they just see you as a walking ATM. Like you I got very angry at the blatant lying that he did saying it was a different price.

  6. says: Nik

    I certainly think you did the right thing not handing out the extra money and when in India I have found rickshaw drivers to always be friendly I think you found the one bad Apple, which if anywhere you will in Delhi.

    Also India is not like Thailand where if you get into trouble the police will always favour the local, in fact the rickshaw driver would have been in big trouble so he was just trying it on. If you had been in Thailand I would have paid asap.

  7. I must say after reading through all the comments I am not feeling so good about everyone’s perceptive of Indian rickshaw drivers. I dont think they are as bad as what it seems like with many people’s experience here however may be I may be not thinking correctly because I am a native indian. Just a few tips to avoid any chance of rickshaw wala trying to fool you:
    – Ask your hotel manager to help arrange a rickshaw or taxi for a full day excursion. This should be possible in any indian city be it tier one or two or three city. This way you dont have to hire / catch rickshaw or taxis multiple times in a day even if you are visiting multiple places.
    – For some reason even if you end up with a rickshaw driver not accepting the money what you had agreed upon earlier, best trick would be to immediately walk to a nearest shop or local store keeper who would easily help you out in dealing with the rickshaw / taxi driver. Since these shop owners are local they would know what the real fair should be and if rick guy is asking more he would be told to either take it or get lost 🙂
    – Another way to handle it is, to tell the rickshaw or taxi guy to come with you to a nearest local police station where cops can decide what the fair fare should be 🙂 Trust me just say it no need to even go to the police station he would nicely accept the agreed money and walk away. It would be the last thing in a rickshaw/taxi driver’s life to go to a police station fighting for fare.

    Hope some of these tips would help you next time you are touring India and wont have to get frustrated dealing with rickshaw / taxi drivers 🙂 In any case you can contact myself or any Indian friend to help you plan your next vacation well & enjoyable!!!

  8. says: Freya

    Beautiful story and I totally agree with you. A price agreed is a price agreed and it makes me really mad if they don’t keep it. On the other hand if they are respectful and treat you normally, I do not mind tipping either even if that means I actually gave more than one of these touts would have asked me when not living up to the agreed price. I guess it comes indeed all down to respect and principal.

  9. says: Amber

    It becomes so hard not to be that jaded long term traveler that assumes everyone is trying to scam you, particularly taxi drivers, because, as you said, there is good in a lot of people. I too try to reward it when possible.

  10. We have managed to avoid a lot of negative feelings by stopping to use rickshaws and taxis. The past 6 years we have not taken a single paid ride. It saves a lot of money, it’s better for the environment and healthier to walk instead. For the longer distances, over 10 miles, we use public buses and trains, or if we are moving without our big backpacks, we hitchhike.

    Don’t you think that giving tips in cultures where they are not customary is cultural pollution? Once they get a tip, they will start insisting it from the others, too. In the worst case that will cause them to lose business, or other travellers waste their travel money for unnecessary tips. Avoiding tips is another good reason for ditching all servers that require tipping.

    1. I agree with you regarding walking. If it’s not too far of a distance, I’d prefer to head there on foot as well.

      That’s an interesting take on tipping. I think a big part of the problem is that servers know they can get away with it from tourists without any repercussions.. They’d never try those same tricks on locals.

      1. Yes, thinking that they get away is the root cause. They can treat you anyway they want and prefer take the money and run -style approaches. For us every country where we happen to be is our home country as long as we are there. That is why we treat it as such, and want to leave it a bit better behind when we leave. If we would go for these short-sighted business schemes, we would leave it behind worse.

        Would you give tips in your country of original if it was not customary there? That is our way of thinking.

  11. says: apol @ Wanderful Together

    this could really be frustrating..sometimes I don’t know if I’d want to just give in or argue. 🙁

    In our recent trip to Bangkok, we had to go to KhaoSan from Lumphini so we hailed a tuktuk. With tuktuk’s notoriety, I haggled so hard, not willing to be cheated on. He agreed with a fare 30 Baht less than the original price he gave us. Turned out he was so friendly and seemed so amused with us I ended up giving him the fare he initially wanted.

  12. Money is one of those funny things, you definitely notice it when you’re in different places with varying exchange rates.

    You hit the nail on the head, it really does come down to respect. Its a real challenge to our ego, the amount we get ripped off amounts to very little compared to at home and yet we claw to protect every last cent. But as you described if the money is to go somewhere and be stretched out, you rather it went to someone deserving an goodhearted as opposed to the opportunist who gouges travelers.

    There’s definitely a lot of mental gymnastics involved. Its all a bit absurd, reminds you that money at the end of the day is a construct.

    1. Definitely, when you consider that it only amounts to a small amount compared to back home it does put it in perspective. I think mostly for me it’s a respect issue. I’m at times willing to stand up to those who are clearly just trying to take advantage of me.

  13. Whenever I travel in India, I become a harder/more tough person. The indians are fierce traders and I find it being a little harder gets you more respect somehow. Stern might be the right word.

    Despite of this, I still love India to death, and have been fortunate enough to go there 7 times so far in my life, and definitely will continue returning!

    1. I feel the same as you Michael. I felt like my 2 months in India were the equivalent of an entire year spent traveling somewhere else. I just experienced so much in such a short period of time.

  14. I hear you, Sam. Growing up in Delhi both Savi and I saw a lot of this but we never used to give in. You did the right thing 🙂

    I hope you had a great time in India otherwise and took some interesting (I am sure both good and bad) experiences with you. At least, a story to tell 🙂

    The next time you are in India, just tell them you will tip them 20% of the fare if they agree to take you “by the meter”. That used to work for us. We haven’t been back in 4 years but I am sure it’s the same still.

  15. says: Scott

    I don’t usually like long blogs but this one was good. I find your blog through your youtube appearance with JC in thailand.

  16. I hear you, Sam. Savi and I grew up in Delhi, and we have seen this umpteen times. Although one can’t generalise and say all Auto-rickshaw drivers are out to loot us, but it does happen a lot in Delhi. I used to make it a point to tip generously to those who would go “by the meter”. Next time you visit India (I hope there will be a next time and you won’t be deterred by this experience), just tell the driver you will tip him 20% if he let’s the meter run and charges the official price – it should work most of the times 🙂

    Well, at least you didn’t buckle under pressure. Other than this, I hope you did enjoy India and took something back from there. A story to tell, at least 🙂

    Cheers from London

  17. We’ve yet to visit Asia and I must admit this daily battle with bartering and the locals believing you should pay an exorbitant price because of the color of your skin is something that I’ve no doubt will wear me down. I’ve found that grudges are often more costly for you to bare a grunge than forgive, forget and move on. I thoroughly enjoyed your account of both journeys. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    1. Thanks Charli,

      Sometimes it’s challenging not allowing negative experiences mount. I’m certainly more street smart than I was just several years ago. I can now often sense when a situation is turning for worse and when I need to be firm.

  18. says: Clayton @ The Big Travel Theory

    I personally hate it when people try to change an agreement and it drives me nuts. My wife’s a lot nicer than I am on giving in, but I would have done what you did and walked away. I’ve found most people will push you a good distance, but if you stand your ground they back down. Being calm and collected also helps keep the situation in your control a little better.

    Blank slates are a tough thing to end up with. I find that if I want to go back to a city that I had a bad experience in, I have to try and do everything completely different than I did the last time I was there.

  19. I personally hate it when people try to change an agreement and it drives me nuts. My wife’s a lot nicer than I am on giving in, but I would have done what you did and walked away. I’ve found most people will push you a good distance, but if you stand your ground they back down. Being calm and collected helps a lot too.

    Blank slates are a tough thing to end up with. I find that if I want to go back to a city that I had a bad experience in, I have to try and do everything completely different than I did the last time I was there.

  20. says: Barbara

    What a great story, I’m so glad your encounter didn’t result in blows! You did what you thought you needed to do to earn the respect you deserve; I have to admire you for that. We all learn from our experiences and I thank you for sharing yours, I think we all learned from it!

  21. says: Paul

    Good thing it was just you and him! I’ve heard stories of people who’ve gotten ripped-off by taxi drivers, and had no choice but to pay – at risk of getting the shit beat out of them.

    Thanks for providing an inspring example. It’s important to keep a certain sense of clarity when dealing with adverse situations abroad.

  22. You wrote about this experience in a beautiful way.
    I read a ton of travel blogs and, whenever the blogger has been to India, there is ALWAYS a mention to the common hassle that is negotiating with auto drivers. What to do if one is a gora and can’t hide that?! You did well in not giving extra money.. it’s not about the money, it’s about the principle. As you say – it’s about respect. And North India lacks a lot of that.. things are crazy there. But same as in your case, you’ll always find individuals that restore your faith in humanity.. and isn’t that why we all travel for? To learn a lot of life lessons with these experiences and odd moments.

  23. Great post Sam.
    I definitely know what you were feeling when you just about fought the tuk tuk driver. Nick had a very similar experience! Just like you, we reflected on it and were able to move on.

    As you learned, not everyone is out to rip off tourists and there are some unbelievably kind, friendly and genuine people in the world.

    Cheers.

  24. Great Story!
    We experienced something similar in Thailand with Tuk Tuks. It started as a novelty and turned into something we dreaded!
    Just have to remember that all drivers are not the same.. this is a good example!

  25. I had an interesting happening in Granada, Spain recently. I was enjoying coffee in one of their darling plazas. I had been marveling at the beautiful sycamore trees and the enormous number of birds that had come to roost for the evening as the sun started to slip lower in the sky. Suddenly, a the jolt of dynamite broke the quiet interlude resulting in startling thousands of birds out of the trees, instantaneously. It startled the shit out them, literally. Bird doo doo rained down on our heads and everyone ran for cover. It was unbelievable! Swift and impressive!

  26. Great story-I couldn’t agree more, it’ really the little things that can make a huge difference in the end. We’ve definitely had our fair share of good and bad in terms of rickshaw drivers. Notably one guy tried to charge us $200 to go about ten minutes. Seriously. But it’s always inspiring when things like that happen and remind us not to put up barriers with certain people due to previous situations!

  27. says: Andrea

    What a lovely story! I guess it just teaches you to not expect that every person is looking at you like you’re a Walking ATM Machine (just most of them LOL!) India both excites and frightens me. I’m working up to taking a trip there one day. Need to get my feet a little more wet in other places first!

  28. says: Ashwin

    Very well written. Being an Indian I know all the hassles foreign tourists have to go through. These things are disgusting and take a sheen out of good things. I hope things will change soon.

  29. says: Montecristo Travels (Sonja)

    I think you did the right thing – in both cases. Well done. And the lesson … a very very good one. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

  30. says: shubhajit

    Nice gesture! simple yet engrossing story. I wholly support your first reaction with the driver. There is no need to show humanity everywhere, at least I don’t believe in this way. This world is too rough (you know better!) and it’s not necessary to show arrogance but a sheer indifference what is needed most of the time. It’s very general reaction of Chandi Chowk rickshaw walah, though I am not intending to put here any pessimistic for any particular place.

    Tomas posted a valuable comment here. I like it.

  31. says: Emma Spires

    Great post Sam; at times it does feel silly to haggle over such a small amount of money but you are completely right – it is definitely a respect thing; hopefully this will inspire more backpackers to stand their ground.

  32. says: Juliann

    Treating each experience like a blank slate is great advice. It’s hard not to get jaded by a bad experience, ut I’m glad you were able to move past it and that the second rickshaw ride made up for the first. But I’m like you — I don’t like being taken advantage of and being disrespected. Even as a woman, I would have stood my ground — unless it really was going to get physical. I try to be respectful of different cultures and put things like money into perspective, but if someone tries to cheat me, I’m not going to stand for it.

    Great pictures, btw. 🙂

  33. says: Tomas

    It is not just a question of deciding to treat every rickshaw driver with an open mind and give him a chance. First of all you need to keep in mind you travel in Asia and most south, southeast and far east Asian cultures are non-confrontational. An uneducated rickshaw wallah would not dare to yank another Indian by the shoulder; his wife may be, and he would smack her if necessary and would not think about it twice. He definitely picked up his rude style from a Western tourist, as that is not the Asian way. The fact you leaped to face him you became confrontational. You became confrontational when you objected to where he stopped, demanding he takes you to your ultimate destination. You made him lose his face. Try a face to face standoff with a Thai driver, a bartender etc., and though you may walk away unharmed you just might get your ass kicked an hour later when you least expect it. You do not want to make a Thai, any Asian, lose his face, period! You do not want to lose your cool, your temper above all, in Asia at any cost. When the rickshaw stopped, you should have politely given him the money, quietly thank him, nod your head and retreat, facing him, showing respect. If he would not accept the money then put it down on his seat and retreat facing him, thanking him.

    And, frankly, there is no such thing as getting ripped-off. Only ignorant Western travelers get rip-off. Find out what to pay, pay and leave it at that. If you stupid enough to allow yourself to get ripped-off then you deserve it. If you get ripped-off, blame yourself for not knowing, not understanding, not the local. You are the stupid one, he is the clever one. Leave it at that. Learn, observe and this topic of getting ripped-off becomes a non issue.

    1. I don’t agree with what you’re saying. Having traveled around the world I’ve seen how locals prey on foreigners in certain situations. To put the blame on the visitor is a shallow attempt to somehow justify the shady behavior of the individuals engaging in dodgy practices.

  34. says: Corinne

    Love this post. All of us who’ve been to India has had the Rickshaw Rip Off experience..doesn’t feel good. I also experienced many wonderful people as you describe here…Love your post!

  35. says: Andrea

    I struggle with this a lot as an expat in Norway. Having had a couple of instances of serious rudeness and outright xenophobia from locals who don’t like foreigners, I really have to stop and take a deep breath before letting past hurts affect a new interaction. I think it’s a really important lesson for a traveller to let go.

  36. I once agreed on a fare of 15 rupees. Upon arrival, he demanded 50. The two numbers sound similar but we made sure, using hand gestures and reconfirming three times.

    I tried to put it his shirt pocket but he dodged it with Mohammed Ali agility. It was an ugly scene, but at a bus station with lots of witnesses. Finally he took it.

  37. Wonderful story Sam. Sometimes it’s really hard to deal with people who try to ripped you off mostly when you encounter them frequently. Glad that your rickshaw experience in Udaipur covered the not so good one. 🙂 It was in deed a great lesson on the road.

  38. Good story, Sam. I’ve met some rude tuk-tuks and rickshaws in India too. One even ran over my foot 🙂 But, rude people are everywhere… I always treat rude people with the the same attitude, even if the deal is about a few cents. It is not about money! I always give good tip for good services.

  39. says: Paul

    I really liked reading this post. Just goes to show that no matter what comes our way in terms of bad experiences, we can’t let it colour the way that we treat new individuals. Need to be respectful to everyone at first and take each situation as it comes.

  40. says: Natalia

    All these conflicts roll down to respect. There was absolutely no other reason for the tension between you and him.

    It’s so unpleasant to take rickshaws, I completely agree with you.

  41. I do the same: whenever I’ve lucked out with an honest driver over the past ten years, I’ve given a generous tip. They both appreciated it.

    I also always refuse to pay when they hit me with a sudden price increase. It’s definitely not about the money, but like you said, about respect, principle, etc. It’s also about setting an example. When you give in and just pay, it encourages the driver to continue trying to rip people off and it encourages honest drivers to give dishonesty a try. Pretty soon you’ve got a fleet of drivers like the ones in Delhi or Bangkok.

  42. says: Jennifer

    Great article – I too came across your first scenario so many times in India that by the end of my two month trip I really hated anyone coming to talk to me because mostly all interactions I had with the local people were negative. I say ‘mostly’ all because I did meet a couple of good people out there that just genuinely wanted to talk, but most people I met that could speak English wanted to part me from my hard earned cash. Your completely right about rickshaw drivers, it is about treating each other with mutual respect – we agree to pay them a fair price and we might then give them a tip for good service, but they have no right to intimidate us into giving them more money than was agreed upon. At first I thought they may treat us this way because relatively we are so rich compared to them, however I have visited other poor countries around the world and there is no where else that I have been treated so much like a walking bank than in India. Check out my article about my gripes here: http://www.travelbllgr.com/travel-blog/india-the-constant-battle-not-to-get-ripped-off/

  43. So with you! We experienced our fair share of crooked taxi and rickshaw drivers while in India. We had just about had it by the time that we arrived in Jaipur. Two guys tracked us down outside the train station and offered us a ride. We told them that we’d rather walk, but they insisted that we could pay them whatever we thought was fair.

    LONG story short, we spent an entire week with them. They ended up taking us on a Rajasthan road trip that they organized for us. We camped in the desert, explored Chand Baori, and ended at the Taj Mahal. Even in the end when we said goodbye they never asked for a tip. We were so grateful for them and their integrity that we were extremely generous.

    Loved this lesson from India. I’m sure it’s just one of many that you’ve learned on your travels.

    1. That’s an amazing story Tawny. I swear traveling in India for a short period of time is the equivalent of being somewhere else for significantly longer in terms of what you experience and the lessons you learn. I can’t wait to go back someday!

  44. says: Michael

    I can totally relate to this post. Sometimes it’s difficult to get past those past experiences. I have been ripped off so many times when it comes to Taxi’s that it’s easier for me to just plan on getting ripped off but I love your approach of tipping. I will try it myself and see what happens.