Overnegotiating poor outcome.
[QUOTE=PuntingGeorge;1986415]
Okay, a couple of notes for the newbies.
1. I think a sim card is very useful if you're going to be taking numbers from chicas or want data for WhatApp / browsing / Google maps when out and about. Most decent places have Wifi, but not everywhere. Orange charged me 100 pesos for the sim and 250 for 1 gb data and some minutes / texts. Pittance.
2. The chicas don't have condoms, so on your first day, when you go to the local supermarket to get yourself the sim card, beers and water, get yourself some condoms and lube.
3. Don't pre pay, ever. Very few will ask, but whatever the circumstances, tell them to fuck off. No one pays upfront there, don't be the person who thinks with his dick and end up getting screwed (not in the good way).
Okay, I think that's me done. Can't wait for my next trip, when I hope that all the data I gathered this trip will mean an even more enjoyable time.[/QUOTE]Great report!
A couple of things though!
You can avoid a lot of unfavorable outcomes by understanding the market, for cabs, sex, food, money exchange, whatever.
We know that everything in life is negotiable, one big market, but some enjoy the bargaining process more than others. Some will drive miles to save a buck.
For some, getting the best for the least, is well worth an argument, but don't forget, a local puta, who does this every day for a living, can match you argument for argument. This can be fun over a beer, or a pain in the ass back in your room, and sometimes a time waster that leads nowhere. Even if she lets you win the argument, she can win in the end with poor or hurried service, or an early exit. They usually have the last word.
Other visitors are more in tune with their surroundings, they know what they want, what to expect, have a budget for it, within a couple hundred pesos, and generally have pleasant, sometimes mind blowing interactions. Stand offs are rare!
Look at locals, they operate seamlessly with each other, they never ask the motoconcho driver/street vendor/publico how much, no negotiations, no standoffs.
That's what I have tried to emulate over the years and found it works for me.
After all, I am on vacation, I leave the hard negotiating behind at home in my business.
It may be an age thing. :)