In Reply to: Hawkers posted by SUEM on Tuesday, 23. May 2006 at 12:17 Bali Time:
After a week in Candi Dasa where all hawkers other than drivers are banned by the Banjar, we went to Kuta, Lombok and there were few hawkers there. Than WHAM back into the thick of it - stayed in Poppies 2. They were horrendous. Sure, you can be patient & have fun, make jokes with them. But after hour upon hour of the constant hassling, it really gets painful after a week or 2. I particularly become annoyed with the ones who make bodily contact, try to take your hand for a manicure, or lead you into a shop.
Everyone knows how hard life is for the Balinese after all that has happened there outside of their control. But they must understand that most tourists are on brief holidays, getting away from the hassles & stress of their normal lives - they just don't want to be accosted by hawkers every few metres when out shopping. If the hawkers persist, people will go elsewhere where they can actually go to the beach and relax peacefully, can go shopping without being almost literally dragged into shops. I make a point of saying that you've hassled me so there is no way I'll go into your shop.
In April this year I found the hawkers in the area from Poppies 2 along Jl Legian down Jl Pantai and along the beach road to be extremely annoying. Bit better down in Legian but not much. My husband refuses to stay more than a couple of days with me in Kuta/Legian because the hawkers are such a pain in the bum. They really detract from a holiday.