Tidak Terima Kasih

If you ever stay in Kuta, you have to learn to say no.

Everyone is trying to sell you something. EVERYONE. Clothing, trinkets, glasses, wallets, purses, messages, hotels, surf lessons, tours, manicures, rides, food... Anything you can think of, a Balinese person is shoving down your throat.  It's so overwhelming, my first few days I could barely think.  Due the pressure, excitement and the heat, I made some purchases I regret (a stupid ugly purple dress, and a ridiculously expensive tour.... Ugh don't get me started on the tour... )

So, there are different ways you can say no, and they seem to elicit different responses. It has taken a few days, but I think I understand which one to use, and when.

If you are walking down the street and even glance into a store the merchant will immediately start with “I give you good price!” “Just come look!” You can politely say “no thank you” and at times it will work... but for some merchants that just tells them that you speak English, and that combined with the color of your skin (if you happen to be Caucasian as I am) just puts a big MONEY sign on your head.  Some will actually start following you down the street, practically begging you to come into their store.  Don’t be silly and give in... once you’re in there, its next to impossible to leave without buying something.  They start telling you that their grandma is sick, or a sad looking women will look towards her child and say she needs money to go to the market... (it tugs at your heartstrings....) At this point, the only thing that saves you from spending unnecessary money is bringing out the Indonesian.

Tidak Terima Kasih.

Once you demonstrate that you have attempted to say “no thank you” in Indonesian, it seems to show them that you mean business.  Maybe because you actually made an attempt to learn the language they respect you more (it seems that most tourists in Kuta don’t bother), or maybe hearing “no” in their own language makes them realize that you actually mean no... whatever the reason, it seems to get even the pushiest merchant to lay off at least a bit.

In addition to avoiding the merchants, walking down the street can be aggravating when your trying to have a conversation and every few feet a man asks you “transport?” .. you say ”no thank you”..  then the man sitting right beside him asks you again, “transport?” again, you shake your head to indicate “no” ... then the man sitting DIRECTLY beside him, “transport?” ... then you answer “tidak terima kasih” ... and of course the man sitting next in line, who clearly saw you decline a ride from the previous people says “transport?” at that point I usually give up with the pleasantries and give a short “tidak.”  After that, I figure it’s not rude anymore to simply ignore the offers...  But then, you walk a few for feet and a new group of men are sitting by the sidewalk and it starts all over again...

I think that it is easiest to say no at the beach.  You are laying there, enjoying the sound of the waves, soaking up the sun, and watching all the surfers... then a woman comes by and offers you sarongs... at the beach I go straight to “tidak terima kasih” (I just want to tan, and I don’t even have money on me!) but they continue to come...  a man comes by and offers ice cream, then a women offering messages and manicures, then a man offering head chair/pillow things, then a young man wants to teach you to surf...  The best way to ensure that they all just stay away is to lay on your stomach and undue your bikini top... this says “leave me alone, I’m here for the sun.  Look, I couldn’t even sit up anyway.”

It is next to impossible to stay in Kuta without spending more money than you intended... there is just too much pressure all around you... but trust me, it’s worth it to at least attempt to say no in the local language, if nothing else it makes you feel all worldly and smart!!