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I've avoided everywhere else, particularly Roppongi.
Btw, why are you avoiding Roppongi specifically, if I may ask?
-Ww
I've avoided everywhere else, particularly Roppongi.
Three years ago, before my first trip to Japan, I got arrested and temporarily charged with assault in Spain after I acted like a drunk dumbass and hit a tout/thief who tried to pick my pocket.Btw, why are you avoiding Roppongi specifically, if I may ask?
-Ww
Is it as bad as I'm thinking? I'm thinking Barcelona gothic quarter just in Japan. Again I have no experience.
I'm glad it isn't as bad as I'm thinking. I wish there was a better strategy in dealing with them.No, not nearly that bad, especially since they passed some law/regulation (I think) making it illegal for touts to touch the people they approach and restricted somewhat the areas (in Roppongi) where they are tolerated/allowed.
Touching was never that common in my experience, and on the few occasions it ever happened to me. I simply stopped in my tracks, looked the guy in the eyes, and stated firmly and clearly, "NO touching!" or "Do NOT touch!" They either just walked away (good) or apologized but kept following me making their pitch (not as good).
That said, they can be seriously annoying, and your reason for staying away appears to be a sound one to me. No point in looking for trouble or going where you think you would be uncomfortable.
If you want to see/do Roppongi, it might work better to go with a group of guys or with a date; my impression is that the touts see both (particularly the latter) as much less promising "targets" than guys walking along alone.
-Ww
Ill try that out.A couple of years back, there was a television catch phrase: "DONT TOUCH ME!". Gennojins is translated to Celebrities I think, used to say that a lot. If the tout is Japanese or a Gaijin with longtime in Japan, they should both know to react instantly after hearing that claim. If they dont get you in the first say it slowly "DONT - TOUCH - ME!". I think that might work. In my years of mongering I never had the experience of somebody reaching for my wallet without my consent.
I think pick pocketing is much more common in Europe.
I'm glad it isn't as bad as I'm thinking. I wish there was a better strategy in dealing with them.
I'm going to try that out. Ill also try the phone conversation method.My strategy is to not acknowledge their existence. I don't look at them much less talk or nod to them, and I just keep walking. They get the idea after about 10 seconds.
Another tactic to deal with annoying touts is to take out your mobile phone and pretend to be involved in a lively conversation with someone on the other end. Mostly you can just nod frequently and exclaim "hai!" into the phone...making it appear that you are listening to someone talking on the other end of the call.