Traveling and skepticism go hand-in-hand. It’s unfortunate to say, but a healthy dose of skepticism can keep you happy and safe. By no means am I implying that being cynical will make your travel experience better. In fact, I don’t believe there’s a point to be a cynic, ever. Rather, I believe that all people are innately good. However, when you’re traveling, your presence sometimes can be perceived as “I have disposable income and want to spend it!” Naturally, you’d want to dispel that myth, unless those are your thoughts exactly. If that is the case, this article may not be for right for you.
Anytime I have traveled, I’ve always made it a point to get out and explore by myself. There’s something about wandering through foreign streets and markets that captivates me. In doing so, I’ve had some interesting experiences where a little bit of skepticism served me well and even lead to a few pleasant surprises.
Knock-off products are everywhere, especially outside of the states. I don’t know how you can’t help but be skeptical around such vendors. I have a thing for watches, but would never dare to buy a watch from an unauthorized store. In my last few hours in Hong Kong, I decided to go watch shopping. I only stopped by the stores that seemed legitimate, but not all of them gave me the sense of security I’d need to make a purchase. At times it seemed like I was trying to find a needle in a haystack, but I eventually found a place that met my criteria.
While wandering the grounds of the Red Fort in India, a “student” approached me and offered a tour, wanting to practice his English. He even said he wasn’t interested in money, just linguistics. I accepted his offer, albeit tentatively. The information he provided was better than what I would have ever read in a brochure, but he kept trying to pull me over to his friend’s shops. I’m not the biggest shopping fanatic, so I’m usually a tough sell. After covering most of the grounds, it was apparent that he had no interest in practicing his English; after all, it was already quite good. It boiled down to him trying to sell anything and everything. If the prices were reasonable, I may have given in so I could move on, but he was throwing out boutique store prices that would have cleared out my wallet. Fortunately, I hide my money, but keep a nominal amount in my wallet for such occasions. If the asking price isn’t in my wallet, then I obviously can’t pay that and usually walk away with what seems like a great bargain. I can’t help but feel a little taken when someone comes and makes such propositions, but is in essence, trying to take me for everything I have. Score one for skepticism.
Another instance that was especially memorable was in the markets of Egypt. I had no interest in buying anything, so I didn’t bother leading on sellers. They on the other hand, expressed their interest in making a sale. I decided to take the quiet approach and not say anything as I walked by their shops. That’s where things got interesting. The first shopkeeper spoke in English, attempting to get my attention to no avail. So the second shopkeeper spoke French and once again, no response. The next spoke German, after him, Spanish, after, him English with a British accent, and so on. Each shopkeeper was paying attention to the previous and doing whatever possible to catch my eye. I really have to bow my head to those shopkeepers in Abu Simbel, because what they put on was truly a spectacle. Skepticism didn’t really come into play in this event since I didn’t try to barter with the shopkeepers, but it sure was one helluva surprise.
As the saying goes, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” This seems especially true in markets and with transportation. I want my money to take me as far as possible, so having that bit of skepticism in my head before committing to a price protects my happiness, because getting swindled can definitely throw off my appreciation of being where I am.
Making decision with some skepticism in mind is really just thinking rationally. No matter what, you want to look out for yourself first; getting the best price, avoiding uncomfortable situations, and just making sure that your vacation is just that, a vacation.
