I have recently been criticised as a "tight wad" by some Wally because I choose to take my own spirits to small warungs (and also Aussie wine....disgrace!!?)and we mix our own cocktails.
This criticism hurt me deeply, but I will need to get into a war of words or bear the cross, and being the matyr that I am I will choose the latter.
However, having said this, I do begin to think about Bali in terms of the rip off game all round, and the fact that for us anyway, this is all part of the attraction.
I see the rip off game as very much a two way street.
They rip us for what they can, and we respond in our own ways (especially us tight wads) in order to restore the balance, and to spread our cash as far as we can.
On this theme, I began to think of the ways in which each side in the game plays its cards.
Indonesian/Balinese ways of milking a Rupe:-
1) Before you formally get into the country, the old don't put the departure card into your passport trick (for collecting the "fine" when you try to depart.
2) You are bringing in too many donations (yes..even tight wads) and must pay a "tax"
3) Money changers (too many tricks to mention)
4) Petrol station - pump not zeroed, you pay for the guy in front AND yourself.
5) Spirits sold as for instance Bundaberg rum, when it is arak with flavouring.
6) Watering spirits.
7) Buying stuff for shipment, and then different (cheaper) stuff is actually packed for shipping.
8) Selling watches that may / may not work.
9) Asking exhorbitant up front prices for the above.
10) "Doctoring" your parked up hire car, and then stopping you on the road to offer "assistance" at a price.
11) The "Aussie gold coin bracelet" trick.
12) Weight discrepencies at Jimbaran fish restaurants.
13) Motorist/Bikers contribution to the policemans ball.
These are just a few of the enterprising ways that the locals will try to boost their (usually) meagre incomes, and generally, these things are pretty much accepted as the norm, and can be laughed at (other than money changers?!) and dealt with according to individuals experience and outlook.
However, there must be a balance, and some of us tight wads do find ways to spread our monies a little further, and get it into more locals pockets as a result (Surely no one actually brings money home??!!)
Perhaps this is some ways of trying to counter the above:-
1) Smuggle as much over allowance booze in as possible.
2) Buy liquor at bars who have "happy hours" and learn when to arrive/leave at the right times.
3)Use your best bargaining skills when purchasing anything to get as close to "bankruuupt" price as possible.
4) Take store bought or duty free to the pool area to avoid pool prices.
5)Load up your hand luggage with all the small heavy stuff, to try and reduce luggage weight, but still complain loudly when caught and asked to pay (perhaps another one for the locals as above)
6)Try to return rental car as empty as it was when you got it!
7) Empty bar fridge, and replace with store bought stuff.
8) Take BYO to eateries.
These are just some fo the things that people do, and I am sure that there are many more on both sides. (Before a heap of Wallies try to get into me on this, these are observations only, and not endorsed, encouraged or employed by myself, at least not totally!)
I regard most of these things as being part of the "escapism" factor of Bali, where some of us behave in a comparitively uninhibited way, after all who would consider attempting to bribe an official in our home countries?
I wonder how other forumites see this, and what other "enterprising activities" from both sides may be employed in the game??