In Reply to: anyone had bad experience with hawkers? posted by mcflurry on Wednesday, 9. February 2005 at 20:53 Bali Time:
Once it gets to the touching, yanking, nudging etc, you have to put your foot down, you wouldn't let a stranger do that at home. I know its different there but I let my guard down enough and let people get close with the friendly hair touching and shoulder pats but thats it. 'My persoanl space' up front, stays as my personal space.
I once had a lady try and sell me a bracelet, I was very polite "No, Tidak terima kasih, no". This went on for about 50 metres until she put her hand down and went to rip at my bum bag. That was enough. I just said "STOP, I SAID TIDAK BRACELET, I have been very nice, DO NOT TOUCH" She stopped in her tracks and along with her friends all looked on in shock. I was never hassled to that point again on that strip of beach and although my nickname was probably aussie b i t c h and I had 10 curses put on me Im sure, you just take it with a grain of salt. I am by no means a hard a r s e in Bali, I spend heaps, share myself around and what not but its my holiday and I dont get bullied into anything.