Quito

[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]I will give a minimum of $1 on a short ride. Otherwise, I may round up to the next dollar, or not.

Your line, "Everyone is just trying make a living" makes me scoff a bit. The guys trying to rob you in the street are just trying to make a living too. That doesn't mean I have to go along with it, though.[/QUOTE]

No matter how much you or I would like to be considered locals... we will never be.

I will never be cheap -- it's just not who I am. I have worked in tip jobs over the years and know how tough it is to make a living that way. That's why I (even in the US) try to be fair. Not be taken advantage of.... but fair.

If I offer the extra, it's not being a stupid gringo.. it's just not being a tight wad (chichi pato).

I met another guy from the boards while on my last trip and he shared my point of view and opinion. Some people on these boards can take being cheap to the extreme. I am not talking about being the kind of person we've seen that blows $10,000 on a week's trip. I am talking about spending so much effort trying to save $1 that you're willling to disrupt your trip by waiting for the police to arrive to fill out a report (like they are even likely to give you the time of day). That's being extreme in my opinion. Vacation for me is to have fun... not generate drama for myself. I used to do that and I didn't enjoy my trips much. Either way... I can live with myself..and that's all that's important.

FYI: The people that get attacked in the street are generally the ones considered by the thieves to be the easiest targets. Hookers walking home are more likely to be targeted than you or I. I keep alert and watch what is going on around me. If something doesn't feel right, I walk away. I also don't enter crowded areas with anything of value in my pockets. I don't walk down the street with both hands occupied with anything (such as suitcases). I have learned all of these things through experience. People that have problems generally put themselves in that position.

A gringo I knew in Costa Rica put himself in that position one night and I had to beat off a hooker and a street thug for him. Was it his fault? Of course it was: he was drunk. Normally he wouldn't have been as tempting a target.

The last time someone tried something with me was in Amsterdam's train station a few years back and because I was paying attention... I saw him running up behind me at a fast rate and I was able to deal with him. I could have been the next victim. I did put myself in that position though by being a more attractive target: both hands were full.

David B.

Hey guys. What is the current taxi fare from the airport to the city? Anyone has comments on the swiss chalet hotel? What are the current rates to book tours to the cotopaxi and equatorial monument? Anyone going to quito on December? We might hook up. I speak fluent spanish.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]No matter how much you or I would like to be considered locals... we will never be.[/QUOTE]I'm not saying that we are, or try to be locals, but that we should use a local's perspective when we conduct business in a city. If a taxi rips you off, whether for a dollar, or ten dollars, it still a rip off. By letting it happen, and doing nothing about it, you're only making it the norm for all taxi drivers to do.

[QUOTE=Latin Bound]Hey guys. What is the current taxi fare from the airport to the city?[/quote]I never pay more than 5 dollars, it's the normal price although they always try to let you pay more.

A taxi from the airport to any hotel in New Town should not cost more than $5. That being said, I think the rate for an official airport taxi, that you pay at the counter inside the airport is around $12, I think. If you are new to Quito and do not know where you are going, this may be the way to go.

I usually get ripped off to a small degree every time I go on vacation. I just let it go as a learning experience, and try not to get all pissed off. This is a vacation, and arguing over $3.50 is not my idea of a way to spend my down time.

On my last time to 557 Tamayo, I pre paid for a session, went upstairs, and when I came back down, the lady in charge said I did not pay. I paid her the $15, and will not return. Business in Ecuador is run by a day to day idea that as Gringos, is completely alien to the way we do business. I could have argued and jumped up and down and had a fit, but I don't like to make an ass out of myself on vacation. And, as mentioned before, a police report is not worth the paper it is written on over there anyway.

They just have not grasped the idea that "if this guy is respectful and spends money, I will be nice for return visits." Some just think ANY opportunity to get an extra dollar from a Gringo is fair game, reguardless of how much money he spends in the establishment. Don't forget that the main clientel of a local chongo is a local who may or may not buy one beer, and that is it.

[QUOTE=Tuna Man]A taxi from the airport to any hotel in New Town should not cost more than $5. That being said, I think the rate for an official airport taxi, that you pay at the counter inside the airport is around $12, I think. If you are new to Quito and do not know where you are going, this may be the way to go.

I usually get ripped off to a small degree every time I go on vacation. I just let it go as a learning experience, and try not to get all pissed off. This is a vacation, and arguing over $3.50 is not my idea of a way to spend my down time.
[/QUOTE]

Exactly. $4-5 is infact the going unmetered price from Mariscal (including Jose Calama y Reina Victoria) to the airport. I have paid it (both ways) not less than 10 times. It's the standard quote. That intersection is where my hotel is.

Spending my time on vacation bickering over a few dollars is a waste of my time. I will not change the way they do business. I just accept the fact they might try. I'm there to enjoy myself, not generate drama.

As said, if a place takes advantage of me, I just simply don't return. Or I take extra steps to reduce the chance of getting taken -- like by asking for drinks on a cash vs. tab basis. As Tuna Man said, they live in TODAY. They don't think of TOMORROW. They get what they can when it's available.

A few years ago I saw the consequences of poor tippers in Rome. I sat in a booth at a TGI FRIDAY's type place for about 20 minutes with no service. Nothing. Got up and went to the bar. Tipped them $1-2 per drink and suddenly they came to life. They are so used to people complaining and not tipping that they don't put in any effort. They just assumed I was like the rest. They actually gave me a few free drinks after that.

David B.

[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]I'm not saying that we are, or try to be locals, but that we should use a local's perspective when we conduct business in a city. If a taxi rips you off, whether for a dollar, or ten dollars, it still a rip off. By letting it happen, and doing nothing about it, you're only making it the norm for all taxi drivers to do.[/QUOTE]

Neither you nor I are powerful enough to overcome the powers of corrupt taxi drivers, service industry people (and police). It's going to keep happening. You can accept it or let it ruin your vacations. The reason why we're so tempting of targets is because they know we will be gone in a few days and we won't be around to follow up. The police know this too. Why would they waste paper on someone that isn't going to be around long?

Why do you think thieves would more likely target tourists in the Orlando area (like Disney World) vs. a local? Because the tourists go home!

David B.

Let's have a little translation exercise with your post:

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]$4-5 is infact the going unmetered price from Mariscal (including Jose Calama y Reina Victoria) to the airport. I have paid it (both ways) not less than 10 times. It's the standard quote. That intersection is where my hotel is.[/QUOTE]

[B]If you are stupid enough not to get a metered taxi, you will pay $5. [/B] Just because you like and tolerate getting ripped off, does not mean that others share your same opinion. The taxis have a meter for a reason. They're supposed to use them. I do not yell, or cause a scene, and calmly discuss the correct pricing. The taxi drivers know they're wrong, and 99% of the time will give in. By not putting your foot down, you're only reinforcing to taxi drivers that it's okay to rip gringos off. Just as paying above the posted prices at clubs, is letting them put one over on you. I really understand now why some chicas will pull such a high number out of their ass for pricing.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]Spending my time on vacation bickering over a few dollars is a waste of my time. I will not change the way they do business. I just accept the fact they might try. I'm there to enjoy myself, not generate drama.[/QUOTE]

[B] I don't care if I get ripped off. I don't care if everyone in the country, from the chicas, to taxi drivers, to my waiter think I'm a chump. [/B] I have yet to find anyone who thinks a big tipper is the smartest guy on earth. They may love him, and be glad to see him, but they all think that he's an idiot, and someone waiting to be fleeced. As soon as your ass is at the airport, they're hustling for their next dollar. A certain Eagles song comes to mind.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]A few years ago I saw the consequences of poor tippers in Rome. I sat in a booth at a TGI FRIDAY's type place for about 20 minutes with no service. Nothing. Got up and went to the bar. Tipped them $1-2 per drink and suddenly they came to life. They are so used to people complaining and not tipping that they don't put in any effort. They just assumed I was like the rest. They actually gave me a few free drinks after that. [/QUOTE]

[B]I got crappy service, at a crappy restaurant in Italy. Since the service is included in my bill, I had to bribe them even more to get any type of service. [/B] Why not just hit the door? Were you that desperate to drink at a TGIF's?

[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]Let's have a little translation exercise with your post:
[B]If you are stupid enough not to get a metered taxi, you will pay $5. [/B]
[B] I don't care if I get ripped off. I don't care if everyone in the country, from the chicas, to taxi drivers, to my waiter think I'm a chump. [/B]
[B]I got crappy service, at a crappy restaurant in Italy. Since the service is included in my bill,[/QUOTE]

Ouch! Hit a nerve.

My time is worth more than $1-5. Especially on vacation. If $1-5 is going to make a difference to (fill in any name of choice, it's free!), they probably should stay home and rent a video on (their vacation country of choice) and save the stress. I can't imagine the agony that must be present when one has to be fair and not exploit the locals while fantasizing you are one.

BTW. The payayanet people didn't respect you for fighting over $1 difference on your bill when you were there. They thought you were an idiot (and chichipato) -- their words. I guess you made a damn good impression on the locals too! I had a girl lined up for you (friend of mine), but after that episode, she didn't want anything to do with you. There must be a line between a chump and a chichipato someplace....

David B.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]BTW. The payayanet people didn't respect you for fighting over $1 difference on your bill when you were there. They thought you were an idiot (and chichipato). They told me so (I know many of them there pretty well). I guess you made a damn good impression on the locals too![/QUOTE]

I didn't fight for a dollar. I simply stated that the service (tip), was already included in the ticket. The server lied that it wasn't, and then when I started quoting the amounts in the ticket, he admitted that it was. So the definition of being cheap, is not double tipping? That's the silliest thing I've heard all month.

He got what was due to him. If he thinks that the government mandated tip isn't enough, then perhaps he should get another job.

You obviously don't mind overpaying. That is your choice, of course. However to expect everyone to do the same is stupid. In many countries, it's people overpaying, giving in to getting ripped off, and such that have ruined a country for travel and mongering.

As someone who has flown a million miles this decade, visited 30 countries, and had many great times, I prefer not to be taken as a chump. There are many threads on this subject on Argentina Private, and other ISG forums. It's always amusing when the victims defend the robbers.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]I had a girl lined up for you (friend of mine), but after that episode, she didn't want anything to do with you. There must be a line between a chump and a chichipato someplace....[/QUOTE]

You offered me a friend of your girlfriend the first night I was there. Your girlfriend was not my type, and I had no interest in her friend either. And now there is a "Oh gosh, you missed out on her friend, because you're not a chump". I'd say you have some mighty selective memory.

[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]You obviously don't mind overpaying. That is your choice, of course. However to expect everyone to do the same is stupid. In many countries, it's people overpaying, giving in to getting ripped off, and such that have ruined a country for travel and mongering.[/QUOTE]

It's just money. Can't take it with me so I might as well spend it. That's the point of vacation. I set a budget of $xx per week and I spend it (sometimes more). It's the way I like to travel.

I'm off to Asia next month hopefully and I'll do it the same way there.

David B.

I normally distrust all taxi drivers in every country. I remember when Ecuador's national currency was called the Sucre and one cab driver tried to charge me $30 to go to the hotel from the airport. All of them will over charge you if you give them the chance to do so. They don't want to turn on the meter when it's past 7 o'clock. They don't want to turn it on when it's raining. I remember a taxi driver told me his meter was broken and we agreed on a $3 cab ride. Five minutes into the ride, a cop approached the taxi and he turned on the meter. I just had to laughed. This is another example why this forum is very important. Why should I pay more just because I'm an American. I don't want the gringo menu. I would never charge anyone from London more than the normal price just because their currency is worth more than ours.

Understanding the pricing structure before I go to a country is a huge help. Not because I'm cheap, but because I hate people ripping me off.

One important note, if you leave the airport, cross the street, and get a cab, the cost shouldn't be more than $3 with the meter.

Also, I found out early in my travels that most locals that go to local restaurants don't tip. Most locals that go to bars and discos don't tip. I haven't seen anyone tip the bartender at cafe rojo, no bar, or a lot of other establishments in Ecaudor, Colombia, etc.

That's just my opinion.

[QUOTE=Peace1]
Understanding the pricing structure before I go to a country is a huge help. Not because I'm cheap, but because I hate people ripping me off.

Also, I found out early in my travels that most locals that go to local restaurants don't tip. Most locals that go to bars and discos don't tip. I haven't seen anyone tip the bartender at cafe rojo, no bar, or a lot of other establishments in Ecaudor, Colombia, etc.

That's just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

I'm not talking about paying inflated taxi fares. I'm talking about giving a little extra (a dollar) if they're honest and fair with you. That's my point. Even taxi drivers in the US get tips (they live on them). I don't pay inflated fares either if they try to gouge me. I know what it should be roughly and that's what they get -- plus they just shot themselves in the foot for any extra.

I realize the locals don't tip beyond the 10% added to the tabs automatically. I'm sure that's why it's there automatically.. They often don't even buy a drink in many of the places. They just look and take up space. 10% tip is not much. You're talking about .10 cents on a dollar (yes, I took advanced math in college too! :)

My entire point is I don't try to take advantage of the poverty in the countries and pay as little as I can. I am willing to pay a fair price in exchange for a service. I get paid well for my time and I don't expect others to work for free either.

David B.

[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]You offered me a friend of your girlfriend the first night I was there. Your girlfriend was not my type, and I had no interest in her friend either. And now there is a "Oh gosh, you missed out on her friend, because you're not a chump". I'd say you have some mighty selective memory.[/QUOTE]

Her friend is very hot. Another gringo from Miami is getting to know her now. She's nothing like my chica. My chica is a hooker. The other girl isn't -- she has a normal day job. I'm still hoping to get her myself w/ my chica some day. Would be a nice combo.

David B.