Is the truth somewhere in the middle?
Would it be correct to say that both of you have valid points? That is, a tourist that is not familiar with the local prices will negotiate and agree to a price much higher that what a local may pay. It is only good business for the seller to get the highest price they can get. But if this tourist knows what the local price is (e.g. apartments in Nairobi DO rent for 300 to 400 u.s. per month) then a landlord who tries to get a rent over 400 u.s. is over-charging, whether that person is a local or tourist, not so?
In Ghana if I didn't have a local negotiating in my absence I always was overcharged but, in the end, once I knew the local price I would just give it to him without any questions. Not sure how safe that is in Nairobi but in Accra I never had any violent reactions, only verbal complaining in front of my Ghanaian wife.
Advice for the Tourist-Mongerer in Kenya
I was thinking about how the tourist-mongerer, with only limited time, could actually hook up with a Kenyan lady who [i]: gasp: [/i] actually has to work everyday. As a working-stiff myself, I follow this approach and it has been working for me:
- Let's shape the scenario that you're in Nairobi (but all advice applies in towns and cities in Kenya), strolling around, on the monger-hunt. You see a lady you're interested in and you want to start the chase.
- First advice, the Golden Rule, at least in Kenya, it's been written many times before: you have to treat the average Kenyan lady as if she is or will be your girlfriend.
You just wanna fuck? Go to F2 or even Simmers. Otherwise, keep the philosophy GFE = Girl-friendly Experience. Even walaya are 'saved' on Sundays!
This applies to the ladies who work in offices, to the college students, to that (probable high-school drop-out) sweety who works in a little shop. Even simple shop girls are either educated or worldly enough to know about how Sex 'in' The City works, and even if they don't have a lot of personal experience in that area (and you will find many that are not, no matter how sexy they look), they are curious and often eager to experiment. So this means you have to be nice, flirt, tell her jokes get her to laugh. Show her your interest, and she will notice quickly.
- In general.
Ensure the lady is alone. You don't wanna have to subsidies her and her friends. Remember, you're a hunter, separate your prey from the pack!
It's easiest to meet a lady in the shop/office/etc than on the street, as this assures you that she's actually employeed and (hopefully) a non-pro. Plus, it gives her a comfort zone in which to talk with you.
Remember that she's actually working, so make your moves quickly and politely. Don't ask her for a date right there, especially if co-workers or boss is around. Don't co-opt her time from other customers, just wait to the side patiently, let her finish her work, then keep flirting. Your hanging round assures her that you are interested. If it is obvious she's not interested, just move on. I once had a girl start spouting religious nonsense, I quickly got outta there. As a hunter, you can't wait time!
- Next step, make up some excuse to get her mobile number--as quickly as possible. This way, you can start 'chatting her up' and hopefully soon making rendezvous. Two techniques I've used.
-- I was flirting with a worker in a restaurant, and she was definitely responding. I happen to notice they had those useless customer response surveys. I filled it out--with my mobile number!. And gave it directly to the lady, and told her to call me so I could discuss "other comments" I had about my dining experience. Now she didn't call me {more about that in the next item}, so next day I went to the restaurant, found her, told her that because she didn't call me, she had to give me her number so that I could call her. She did not hestitate in giving me her number, and a hook-up was completed in just a few days.
-- I was in a cybercafe and saw a real stunner. She wasn't working there but she was alone. I waited a bit then switched my station to sit next to her. After a minute, I said Hello, to her, and asked her if she could give me advice about pictures I had on Flickr of my home back in NYC. To a Kenyan: (Foreigner + Western home)=Jackpot. To us monger-hunters: (Stunner + pictures of home in the West)=Trap-Set-Captured. This meeting lead to a soda and some small talk, her number, and that Friday a nice at-home hook-up.
- Something important to remember about phone calls, be prepared to do most of the calling and texting. Kenyans/Africans are always trying to save money, so as the mzungu you have to initiate & make most calls. And get someone to explain to you what "flashing" means!
- Don't let the girl play games with you: If you call/SMS her and she doesn't pick up after 2 separate calls/texts, then dump her and move on to another lady. A girl not taking your call means she's shy, actually not interested, or she may be more of a pro than you expected. You don't have time for shyness or game-playing, so move on.
- Once you do reach her, plan a PUBLIC place rendezvous. This will allow both you and her to feel a bit safe, and to get to know each other a bit better.
Be prepared for her to be late--hey, this is Africa.
If she doesn't show up at all, say give her an hour, she is dumped.
- If she arrives with a friend or two or more, [u]dump her[/u]: this is game-playing, or shyness, and we don't have time for this.
When you see her and her posse coming closer, jump up, greet her, and give this excuse: "Hi! Ohh, I'm so sorry I just got this call and am needed right away elsewhere. Can I call you to arrange another date? " If she asks for money anyway (and this will happen), refuse by giving some excuse, then leave.
Now you have a choice: call her later and arrange another meeting, but tell her to come alone; or don't call her at all, just proceed to the next monger-prey. Believe me brothers, there is more booty to be had elsewhere!
If she wants to go with you--meaning she doesn't want to lose a good thing!. Tell her you only have room for her! Then take her to your place, and make your moves.-game-playing works both ways, you know!
- [b]DO NOT[/b] spend money like a Westerner on [u]ANY[/u] Kenyan lady. I don't care if she's lived in the West before, has a PhD, has a Chicago accent, and dresses and acts like a Westerner. You have been warned about this many times on these forums, so I'm also repeating this. No steak dinners, no wine bars, definitely NOT Carnivore, on the first date!
Kenyan ladies, in general, do not appreciate the wine-&-dine approach to romance as we know it in the West, and if you meet one that expects that, run away. Fast.
Instead, meet in "simple" places for meals, coffee or drinks, or better let her pick a place but stress that you want to go where "normal" or "average" Kenyans go. There are plenty of great and fun places where the prices are just right, and you'll learn about new places in Nairobi/Kenya that you can then brag about later as getting the true Kenya non-tourist experience.
Side-note: stay aware and stay safe about your surroundings. Wherever you go, watch your belongings, put your wallet in your front pocket, don't flash your cash, don't take your eye off your drink or glass no matter how comfy you feel, don't go to an area where you have concern for safety. If you're worried, just ask her to choose another place. She'll be happy to, as she's probably not sure what kind of local places wazungu would like.
Remember, the ladies we're talking about here are your average-janes, non-pros, so you won't have to worry too much about a con or scam, but still you might draw a short straw so watch out.
- Finally, this first rendezvous, she [u]must[/u] agree to meet you either at your place, or hers, for the next rendezvous--or she gets dumped.
This is another reason why you shouldn't spend a lot of money: you don't want to waste your time or money with a game-player.
At some stage in your conversations, suggest that she comes to your place. To see your pictures of home, or to watch an interesting movie, or to cook sphagetti for her. Or. To see her home, or to watch a movie at her place, or to teach her and her {insert relatives/friends/etc} how to play cards. Or whatever. Whatever the reason, that next meeting is going get her into bed--and she knows it!
If she agrees, you're in.-literally.
If she rejects, move on.
If she hesitates, push a little more but be prepared to move on.
There we are boys, Life of a Monger-Hunter. Discuss amongst ourselves.
[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please [url=http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?]Click Here[/url] for more information.[/blue][/size]