Ideas please! What's the most effective way to get rid of annoying street vendors?

Oviedo says on Oct 27, 2008, 18:55:

A firm "ay no mijo no tengo" will normally do.
Street vendors in Medellin are generally cordial unlike the ones in Cartagena.
Btw nice website.

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Mongo says on Oct 27, 2008, 18:59:

Say: "No tengo dinero."

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:02:

whitewidow says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:04:

Pull out a wad of Monopoly money.

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webmanco says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:05:

Don´t get rid of any annoying street vendors, or give them better pay jobs. Hire them.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:09:

Throw a 500 peso coin in front of a fast coming buseta.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Gator says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:09:

Best advice by far comes from ByronKostner1969

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:11:

Seriously, I agree with Gator. Just say, "thankyou, but no", and " I don't have any money."

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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whitewidow says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:14:

I just give them Titofijo's number and tell them he's hiring.

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:14:

Alot of BS answers here but ByronKostners is 100% correct.

I love Laura Acuna & Jessica Cediel! lol

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whitewidow says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:17:

OR - I just tell them that I am DUTCH!

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jomilena says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:21:

Medellin and Bogota are fine, CTG is a different story.

te amo

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:21:

Many a "Newbie" trolls on here daily and every night takes away from the luster of this board and people actually looking for helpful information or advice..Too Bad!

I love Laura Acuna & Jessica Cediel! lol

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Saltador says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:23:

I always say No gracias, but give them kind of a "sorry" look at the same time, like que lastima...I also sometimes say "Ya lo compre" and they get a kick out of that one...

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webmanco says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:28:

The only vendors I kind of dislike are those who take the kids with them, or maybe I should blame the Government.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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whitewidow says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:30:

Like the one in Parque LLeras? She is there every night with a new kid. Sad really.

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jomilena says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:31:

There is a guy who sells cds with his kids in Medellin they perform their music and then sell the cds. I think it is fine. The guy is talented and his kids are cute.

te amo

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Mongo says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:31:

You could just pay them off....that's the American way...

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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webmanco says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:32:

the kids are cute but deserve better.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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babygirl says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:38:

I always buy stuff from kids...sigh. I'm a sucker for that. Poor little guys.

I found the last time I was in Cartagena they eventually got used to me and didn't bother me anymore. As long as I don't have a run in with the massage lady and that green stuff in a bottle, I'll be fine. lol :)

Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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Chriscan says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:49:

One thing that a lot of gringos don't realize is how much help street vendors can be. If you know how to use it, service is fantastic here.

To get rid of them, I find that looking them in the eye with some respect and saying "gracias" is the best first approach. Ignore them after that but if they persist, another gracias or two. I fidn it works better than "no gracias" and it's what costinos seem to do.

Street vendors know that gringos have nothing but money and will buy anything if they are convinced. At this point say,"por favor no quirero, no mi molesta"

I am amased at how much Colombians respect pushy vendors. It's taken me a while but I respect them a lot more now. Good for them for getting out there and surviving in this dog eat dog country.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass. www.independentbanff.com

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gringoloid (Trustee board) says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:57:

you guys are cruel........all you guys with your fancy apartments that you overpaid for.......your car.....your finca.....your dining in parque lleras..............your paid off prepago girlfriends........

and you can't cough up 500 pesos for these poor souls?

well, not in cartagena anyway.........you could arrive as a multimillionaire and at 500 pesos for every time you're asked..............you would be broke in about 30 days.

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whitewidow says on Oct 27, 2008, 19:59:

Gringoloid employs half of them anyways. Please contribute.

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webmanco says on Oct 27, 2008, 20:01:

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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adela says on Oct 27, 2008, 20:34:

Totally agree Chriscan's post: "Gracias" works better than "No, gracias". Saying "gracias" and smiling a little is part of recognizing their effort even if we are not thinking in buying anything.

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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kenblanquito says on Oct 27, 2008, 22:17:

After 3 almost continuous years here, I find the best way is to be decent, smile to acknowledge them and then say no thanks because you already have it/have enough of them for the moment. You know where to come if you need the goods on another occasion.
Worst are the beggars, some of which can be more persistent. To them I always say that it is obvious that I am a foreigner and I can be a target; therefore I never carry money whilst on the street. If they knock on my door (one disadvantage of living in a house in an OK barrio), then I make a judgement as to whether the person is a drunk/junkie and if appear not to be, I may give them something, fruit, a drink (non-alcoholic) or some change depending on their attitude towards me.

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Colombiareports.com says on Oct 27, 2008, 23:10:

Thanks for the feedback, people. I have enough to get going. Will post the link once I'm done.

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alezzz says on Oct 28, 2008, 00:51:

say: paila mijo, estoy en la imunda!

http://www.vimeo.com/alexxx/videos

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 28, 2008, 03:08:

i always say " no thanks again and again, and if they keep insisting i tell them what part of "No" they don't understand.

when they target my kids or niece I'll go and tell them " if you are selling to them? make sure they have money to pay you because i won't.

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lpdiver says on Oct 28, 2008, 04:21:

Depending on my mood I either just ignore them. Or in the morning I have loaded up my pockets with small change and I give out a small coin until they are gone.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Sonny says on Oct 28, 2008, 05:40:

Kat1

you should realize by now that venders are not trying to sell you anything , they wish only to get closer to you to enjoy the beauty:)

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benign.indifference says on Oct 28, 2008, 06:21:

I generally find that a simple "gracias" dos the trick in Cali. Just being cordial but saying thank you in a way that says you aren´t interested. Sometimes it takes two, but I have never had a hassle. As compared to China, where I´ve had people send their toddlers to wrap their arms around my legs and say "please money!" it seems pretty tame here.

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benign.indifference says on Oct 28, 2008, 06:21:

... Now getting rid of the mimes, on the other hand; there is an article.

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Colombiareports.com says on Oct 28, 2008, 07:58:

lol

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azunoman says on Oct 28, 2008, 08:43:

my understanding is to be polite and keep walking..thats what my mom taught me...which the first poster hit right on the head thanks ByronKostner1969...

Most of us are visitors in their country and should be respectful e...else...uh...I seen posts about this and what happens to those that basically insult the vendors...they may have gotten what they deserved...maybe not...but certainly not much sympathy from phb...remember mom's always watching.

Playing the ugly American on request or as required. Ready, Fire, Aim

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nueva york bombero says on Oct 28, 2008, 13:21:

Damn Morph! Great minds think alike!
I was going to say eat a bandeja paisa and just FART!

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PBHjon says on Oct 28, 2008, 15:55:

aggressive street vendors are just annoying parasites, they aren't worthy of respect. If I came to their house while they were eating and tried to sell them DVDs, CDs, shoe shines, and other crap in the space of 5 minutes, you can be sure they wouldn't tolerate it either.

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Noelito40 says on Oct 28, 2008, 17:34:

There have been a few threads on this and I'm amazed that so many people consider the street vendors to be persistent and hassling?? in my experience they may try to sell you something or get a few coins but compared to the the vendors in other countries the guys in Colombia are saints!! In Turkey for example if you so much as glance at something for sale on a street stall the vendor takes that as a sale and all that remains is to haggle over the price!! The concept of browsing is alien to them.

I was even in San Vittorino last weekend and although the place was bustling as you would expect, and my gringo ass stood out a mile I still didn't get vendors following me for half an hour trying to sell me things, as I got in Turkey!!!

In my experience the Colombian street sellers in Bogota are pretty respectful and if you are not interested a simple no gracias is sufficient...now Cartagena, that is another matter entirely!!

Noelito

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whitewidow says on Oct 28, 2008, 17:40:

What about the "lurking" sales associates that follow you all over the store. Reminds me of my teenage years and a little song by Jane's Addiction.

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papiChulo says on Oct 28, 2008, 19:44:

Noelito40... I agree with you the colombiano street hustles are nothing compared to others around the world but most ppl here have only been to Colombia as their 1st overseas travel experience I supose.

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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Mongo says on Oct 28, 2008, 21:41:

The worst I've seen were in Egypt....Cairo, to be exact. Go there and you will know what its like to be a rock star. Its not fun.

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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PBHjon says on Oct 28, 2008, 21:49:

"most ppl here have only been to Colombia as their 1st overseas travel experience I supose."

i really doubt you are right about that

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papiChulo says on Oct 28, 2008, 22:58:

really Jon? where else have you been?

avoid the unhappy and the unlucky

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Mongo says on Oct 28, 2008, 23:12:

"What's the most EFFECTIVE way to get rid of annoying street vendors?"

Shotgun.

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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goin_south says on Oct 28, 2008, 23:46:

IGNORE THE ANNOYING.
that's it.
no mas.

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Dolfi says on Oct 29, 2008, 01:56:

A great idea would be to create jobs for people, so they wouldn´t have to be out in the streets.

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ujay says on Oct 29, 2008, 02:01:

If they are selling some thing I don't mind ,they are trying to work ,its the out right beggar I don't like .
But last week I was in line at the notarie,when an old guy came in asking for 400 pesos for the bus ,he looked like the rest of us clean dressed ok ,any way no one gave him it ,so I did ,
So today I'm in the same place ,have to wait for papers ,so went next door coffee and sandwich, when I went to pay ,she told me its paid ,that guy there ,it was the old guy ,I had forgotten ,but he had not .he told me last week his card blocked in ATM ,he had his wife's card so could not go into bank ,he never came out with money ,he was using the card to get it ,so now he just wanted bus fare home .so some times when you are asked ,some people do need it .nothing to get up set about.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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lpdiver says on Oct 29, 2008, 04:34:

I never have been really swarmed by them in Medellin or Bogota. I have had only two really persistant one in all of my travels there. I paid them off...lol.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 29, 2008, 05:32:

I think you should be nice to them. See also http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/responsible-travel/

In buses and such, I just often buy the sweets or whatever it is that they sell. Nobody does this for fun.

Poor but snappy

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 29, 2008, 05:32:

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 29, 2008, 05:35:

lpdiver says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:09:

Peter,

Exactly, one of my minor pastime while visiting Colombia is hoarding small bills and small change so that I will have it for taxis etc.

Most days I "load up my right pocket with ten to twenty of the two hundred peso coins and give one when approached. I have NEVER depleted my stock of coins.

Sadly some days I am stingy and don't do this.

When I do I feel good at the end of the day. All for a couple of bucks US.

It is kind of like leaving a decent tip. I still don't know why that angers some here.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:13:

lpdiver says on Oct 29, 2008, 06:17:

NO tumtum33. I have never been to Cartagena period. Probably will make it there next summer.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Lowell says on Oct 29, 2008, 07:14:

Lpdiver, I do the same thing with the hoarding small bills and change. I now do it in secret, because my wife was always hitting me up fofor 1K, 2K or change.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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Chriscan says on Oct 29, 2008, 22:44:

I met a beach vendor who was upset that there was a private hotel going up on his beach. He said that he will be able to work for them but by far prefers his style of life.

People asume that I want a new job because nobody wants to drive a cab right? You'd be surprised at what I've turned down to be able to work when I want. I can take a weekend off or maybe 3 months as I am now. For me, working hard is pushing the gas pedal down another half inch.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass. www.independentbanff.com

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goin_south says on Oct 29, 2008, 23:14:

ignore, ignore.... look the other way. close your eyes, pretend to be blind... jejej

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Helloeselo says on Oct 30, 2008, 17:54:

why would you want to be mean to them in a "hilarious" way? they are just trying to make a living man, its respectable.

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goin_south says on Oct 30, 2008, 22:02:

I wouldn't want to be mean to them; but, if I don't want or need what they have to offer, then they should leave it alone.... back off.... It doesn't bother me. I understand, they are hustling hard as they can to make dinner for the night.

BUT..........................I .... AM.....NOT....BARRACK....OBAMAAAAA!!!!!!

NO REDISTRIBUTION OF THE WEALTH! .... just because of belief.

I have MUCH MORE respect for Jesus (than barrack obama) who said... .the poor will always be with us or amongst us. IT'S TRUE. Many people, you just can't help them get above a certain level of existence, irregardless.....

PEOPLE SHOULD REALIZE BEFORE VOTING FOR OBAMA:

...........................IT IS VERY, VERY COMMON! THAT PEOPLE WIN THE LOTTERY AND WIN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND A YEAR LATER..... THEY HAVE NOTHING...NOTHING.... are you listening..????? Lacacique? Sloopy????

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Mongo says on Oct 31, 2008, 02:29:

Chriscan says on Oct 29, 2008, 22:44: flag

"I met a beach vendor who was upset that there was a private hotel going up on his beach. He said that he will be able to work for them but by far prefers his style of life.

People asume that I want a new job because nobody wants to drive a cab right? You'd be surprised at what I've turned down to be able to work when I want. I can take a weekend off or maybe 3 months as I am now. For me, working hard is pushing the gas pedal down another half inch."


Criscan, I agree, and feel that by and large people are responsible for their own destinies. But for some reason, that sentiment is strongly lacking among PBH posters.

"Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." Brian Andrews

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 31, 2008, 02:40:

I agree that You can be polite to them, a no thanks will do, of course they are working hard for a living but some of them and i will say many of them don't understand the word, not gracias, they keep going on and on following at you, there is when become harrasment, and there is when i lose my temper, also they are very clever targeting the kids, because they know as soon as they start doing those plaits to the kids or giving them ice cream you can't say no, that is why i tell them "if you give them something they have to pay you because i didn't gave any authorizacion for you to do that" i have my fair share with those vendors.

the only ones that are difficult to find and I have to harras them jajaja are the ones who sell the tintos.

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webmanco says on Oct 31, 2008, 04:25:

a quick temper girl. (de muchas rabietas)

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Oct 31, 2008, 04:54:

yo soy un fosforito jijij

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webmanco says on Oct 31, 2008, 04:56:

una llamarada

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Bluesdude says on Oct 31, 2008, 13:13:

As they approach, look directly at them, shake your head no, then wag your forefinger from side to side, then look away or go back to what you were doing and ignore them. This usually works. If they are really persistent and rude after I have told them "No Gracias" I ask them, "Entiendes Espanol?" When they say si, I day "Entiendes, No Gracias?" Then they give me that "well fella you got me there look and go away." I give change to cripples, old men, old ladies, and women with babies.

A guru once said, "the mind is like a drunken monkey." If that's true, then my mind is an orangutan on a binge

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 31, 2008, 14:07:

Chelesupercono says on Oct 31, 2008, 16:47:

Shoot them......ah not a good idea....will cost you more money......

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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mranderson says on Nov 1, 2008, 07:26:

In medellin I´ve never had a problem with street vendors. In most cases I don´t have to say a word, just a quick head shake and they leave me alone. Every once in a while I get a begger who is persistant and follows me but that doesn´t happen very often either.

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