English language
This is a tough one because there are a lot of genuine people who love to practise their English on tourists to their home town by "guiding" them around. I was in Cusco and a young boy could reel off every capital city of every country thrown at him. He walked with me for a while until it became apparent he wanted money. I was fine with that, but I made him work a bit harder and show me somewhere for dinner before I forked out. I now wonder if it was his dad's restaurant ...
Pickpockets
Keep your handbags closely about your person. Last time I was in Covent Garden, London, I stopped a pickpocket from getting into a girl's handbag as she was sitting on the steps. He was nonchalantly sitting beside her blending into the crowd while creeping his fingers over the concrete to her open bag. I shouted at him and her at the same time.
Sneaky taxi drivers
"Oh sorry the meter is broken," they'll say in broken English. But you'll say, "Ok, well how much to my destination?" and they'll pick a fare out of the air. You'll agree because you don't know any better and they'll have scammed you. Another thing that's been reported is you'll tell them the name of your hotel and they'll tell you it's closed for refurbishment and offer to take you to another - one they get kickbacks from.
For more from Megan, see bloggeratlarge.com.
