A guide to getting ripped off without losing your dignity
Posted in Europe, Turkey on February 16th, 2010 by Andy Jarosz – 3 CommentsAlmost everyone has their own story of getting ripped off while travelling. Whether it was a dodgy waiter, a hotel that tried to charge too much or a driver that took you for a ride in more ways than one, however smart we think we are, people will get the better of us from time to time and relieve us of a few extra dollars.
When this does happen however, we can choose how we react. I won’t advocate to anyone that they should roll over and just accept it. There is a way where you can preserve your own dignity and that of the person with whom you have a dispute. One thing is certain though: it always helps to be sure of your facts before getting mad. To illustrate the point I’ll share an example of where I failed spectacularly in this regard.
My story of being ripped off involves the most common scammers in the world: taxi drivers. I was in Istanbul on a business trip in 2006 and jumped into a cab at the Galata Bridge, heading to the Intercontinental Hotel. The driver immediately used trick no.1: the broken meter. I didn’t worry as I knew the fare should be around 7 TL ($6). Besides it was pouring with rain and I didn’t fancy getting out of the dry car.
As we approached the hotel he executed trick no.2: ‘accidently’ missing the entrance to the hotel and its waiting doormen and stopping along the main road. So I was ready for an argument when he completed his scam asked me for 20 TL ($17). I laughed at him and said “no way!” A short discussion followed (he in Turkish, me in English) which got louder and more heated. I had already decided to give the guy 10 TL and walk, so I pulled a note from my wallet and thrust it at him.
This only got him more angry, and I in turn lost my temper, saying that he was getting extra from me just to get rid of him. I continued to push the note toward him, while he seemed far more offended than I felt was justified. And then I suddenly saw why: I had been waving a 1 TL note at him all this time! Sheepishly I apologised, fished out the 10 TL note, he took it with a grunt and I left the car quickly without looking back.
It was not unreasonable for me to argue my case when he inflated the price in this way. But I did learn that in a dispute it’s wise to be certain of your ground; otherwise you’ll find it very easy to dig yourself into a deep hole.