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Also interesting on India is their own govt specifically advises tourists they must bring their passports when visiting a major monument like Taj or buying foreign cuota train tickets, so clearly they know many tourists just lock their passports up in their hotel safe.
So you just handed a cop $20 without knowing whether there were any actual fines for it? That's a ton of money in a place like India or Eastern Europe.
Not a "ton" of money, but not too bad for them, but they know it is nothing to me, the "rich westerner" and all. But yea, as the discussion goes, you start to understand they are after a bribe, so you just fork over some money. I am 99% of the time with some locals, so it is not like there is a translation of intent and language issue.
It does not matter if there is really a fine or not, the cops are corrupt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lieqiang
What were they doing stopping all cars in the middle of the city and all people walking past on the sidewalk? I've never been stopped in Eastern Europe or India for a random passport check, that's unfortunate.
Walking yes, they approach and ask for the passport. Driving a few times also. For example in India, they waved me over for not having a helmet on while riding my scooter. I know a lot of Urdu, so I knew they were discussing about getting me to give them money, but they had no idea I knew I could understand them. They actually wanted all of my money, but I keep it in three different place on me, so I just played like the five bucks or so was all I had, and I was just cruising around looking, so did not carry any money.
The better the car, the less likely they will pull you over, and if they do, not much will come of it. If I am in some old Lada, yea, wave me over. If in a newer Land Cruiser, they will almost escort me where I need to go, lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lieqiang
The second time thing still doesn't make sense, if you paid a bribe the previous time how is that guy going to have you at the station saying he caught you before and you bribed him?
Remember, this is pure corruption, they (other cops, supervisors, etc) have little care that he took a bribe from you before. But it really is just a guessing game, most of the time the cop does not want to take you to the station, but you have no way of 100% knowing this, so on the side of caution, just give in. I have told them to "'eff off" before, but you can tell when they are lacking confidence so much, they are too scared to push you too much, lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lieqiang
Also interesting on India is their own govt specifically advises tourists they must bring their passports when visiting a major monument like Taj or buying foreign cuota train tickets, so clearly they know many tourists just lock their passports up in their hotel safe.
Yes, you must have your passport when getting train tickets and stuff, they charge different rates depending where you are from. Have no idea if you have to carry it with you at all times or not. In my scooter example above, I had my driver's license, but they had zero care about it.
I don’t carry mine with me, except for the purposes you cite. I have never been stopped and asked for it except when going through customs or checking into hotels.
Ya I find they always ask for it @ hotels. That is how they register you with the embassy/police (?) so they know who is staying in the country. In Vietnam, the hotel kept it for our entire duration there. Kinda nerve-wracking but it was ok.
Also interesting on India is their own govt specifically advises tourists they must bring their passports when visiting a major monument like Taj or buying foreign cuota train tickets, so clearly they know many tourists just lock their passports up in their hotel safe.
I think that in China also foreigners must show their passports when buying train tickets.
Leaving Passport in Hotel is not always safe. Many times baggage left by visitors have been burglarised and Passports stolen. There is a Hotel notice that dont leave valuables in room, Hotel is not responsible etc.
Not every Room has a Safe, hefty fine is there for losing the key of the Safe.
Also interesting on India is their own govt specifically advises tourists they must bring their passports when visiting a major monument like Taj or buying foreign cuota train tickets, so clearly they know many tourists just lock their passports up in their hotel safe.
Even Indians visiting Taj Mahal need to show an ID. There is a separate ticket fare structure for Foreign and Domestic visitors for Tj and other museums, archaelogical sites.
Even Indians visiting Taj Mahal need to show an ID. There is a separate ticket fare structure for Foreign and Domestic visitors for Tj and other museums, archaelogical sites.
That is similar to the Galapagos Islands where foreigners pay more than Ecuadorian resident visitors to enter this Ecuadorian national park area.
That is similar to the Galapagos Islands where foreigners pay more than Ecuadorian resident visitors to enter this Ecuadorian national park area.
Yes. I think that in Barcelona, local Catalonia residents will pay less then Foreigners for Gaudi Museums. Nepal will charge less if you are South Asian as compared to westerners for Everest and other mountain climbs.
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