Tourist Traps
Re: Tourist Traps
Those are still successful, and a serious scam. Met a bloke last week who lost a few 100's there. By the time he had figured out it wasn't the ATM it was 'too late' and the Police were unwilling / didn't understand him.Ryan754326 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:27 am I’ve always thought of tourist traps as things that people, who don’t know any better, expect to be cheap, only to be scammed or intimidated into paying significantly more than what it should actually cost. Things like the massage shops that switch out your $100 bills for fakes, or as someone else mentioned, tuk tuk drivers who charge old people too much for a tour of the city.
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Stravaiger
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Re: Tourist Traps
I've had the best luck asking owners Can I bring my own wine next time ? I'll pay you.
The more gracious (Irina's, when she was still in charge) would say of course and you don't need to pay anything.
Other small places I'd give a $2 tip to the waitress. I'd be happy now paying $5 for a bottle.
Armand's last time was $20.
Darlin' Darlin', I was with someone who paid a ridiculous $50 (Champagne so bucket provided). I suppose it's a bar after all.
I understand that they want to make their money on the drinks, but if everyone has tap water that isn't going to work. And for me with most European/Mediterranean cuisines a glass of wine is intrinsic to their enjoyment. If I'm drinking water I'll happily go for a curry. But if it's a good steak - dining without wine is like dancing without music.
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armchairlawyer
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Re: Tourist Traps
Yes, it’s amazing how the corkage fee varies. Imho $10 is fair. Any more, I politely decline and drink elsewhere.Stravaiger wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:13 amI've had the best luck asking owners Can I bring my own wine next time ? I'll pay you.
The more gracious (Irina's, when she was still in charge) would say of course and you don't need to pay anything.
Other small places I'd give a $2 tip to the waitress. I'd be happy now paying $5 for a bottle.
Armand's last time was $20.
Darlin' Darlin', I was with someone who paid a ridiculous $50 (Champagne so bucket provided). I suppose it's a bar after all.
I understand that they want to make their money on the drinks, but if everyone has tap water that isn't going to work. And for me with most European/Mediterranean cuisines a glass of wine is intrinsic to their enjoyment. If I'm drinking water I'll happily go for a curry. But if it's a good steak - dining without wine is like dancing without music.
Re: Tourist Traps
When I returned from Vietnam last late Dec to PP and booked a Passapp car and I was told by the pirates at the taxi rank they were no longer allowed to pickup at the arrival terminal after I had already booked.
I was then wheeled over by the exit gate parking lot and the Passapp driver called me I to inquire were I was. He was at the terminal waiting so he drove over to the exit gate to meet me. The walk from the parking lot to the exit gate was an extreme effort I might add.
I inquired with Passapp about them not being able to pick up inside the terminal anymore and they replied that I just had to book as normal and I would be picked up. I informed them of what I was told at the airport and the return reply was the same. Now after reading the OP's original post I'm beginning to wonder exactly what the real story is. If you tell the touts at the AP exit that your personal car is coming to fetch you how do they know the difference? Cars don't display the Passapp logo as they are privately owned personal cars.
After my experience, I'm wondering if the touts just tell you that just in order to get you to hire them. As these days I require a wheelchair to walk any distance like from the AC to immigration, immigration to baggage claim, baggage claim to outside walking to outside the AP is a non starter.
I was then wheeled over by the exit gate parking lot and the Passapp driver called me I to inquire were I was. He was at the terminal waiting so he drove over to the exit gate to meet me. The walk from the parking lot to the exit gate was an extreme effort I might add.
I inquired with Passapp about them not being able to pick up inside the terminal anymore and they replied that I just had to book as normal and I would be picked up. I informed them of what I was told at the airport and the return reply was the same. Now after reading the OP's original post I'm beginning to wonder exactly what the real story is. If you tell the touts at the AP exit that your personal car is coming to fetch you how do they know the difference? Cars don't display the Passapp logo as they are privately owned personal cars.
After my experience, I'm wondering if the touts just tell you that just in order to get you to hire them. As these days I require a wheelchair to walk any distance like from the AC to immigration, immigration to baggage claim, baggage claim to outside walking to outside the AP is a non starter.
Re: Tourist Traps
Deli Bistro wants $20 too. And that's a good idea of what's really going on, their cheapest bottle at ~$30 of wine is a $7.50 bottle and a $30-$40 is really a $10-$12. And there are a lot of crap wines out there for $12. I am better off being ripped off for the $20 and know that my $10 bottle of wine is a good one, rather than take a gamble on some unknown wine at ~$30 and find it is crap.Stravaiger wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:13 amI've had the best luck asking owners Can I bring my own wine next time ? I'll pay you.
The more gracious (Irina's, when she was still in charge) would say of course and you don't need to pay anything.
Other small places I'd give a $2 tip to the waitress. I'd be happy now paying $5 for a bottle.
Armand's last time was $20.
Darlin' Darlin', I was with someone who paid a ridiculous $50 (Champagne so bucket provided). I suppose it's a bar after all.
I understand that they want to make their money on the drinks, but if everyone has tap water that isn't going to work. And for me with most European/Mediterranean cuisines a glass of wine is intrinsic to their enjoyment. If I'm drinking water I'll happily go for a curry. But if it's a good steak - dining without wine is like dancing without music.
I'd be over the moon with $5 a bottle, even $10 is acceptable.
And yes, curry is fine wine a very cold beer, and water is fine too If it is a quick meal. But most euro cuisines benefit greatly with a glass of wine (or 4).
Re: Tourist Traps
With Grab, nowadays you need to walk out from the terminal to the main road, where they have a meeting point. The app directs you to that meeting point. For me, not having much luggage, it's a short and easy walk. Going TO the airport, Grab will drop you off right at the departure terminal entrance).
I can't complain about the price. Yes, before it will be mentioned inevitably, I know it's expensive compared with Bangkok, but that's irrelevant as I need to compare those options that I actually have in Phnom Penh. My last trip from the airport was 35,200 riel. My last trip back to the airport was 35,400 riel. For a Grab car to/from Riverside.
I can't complain about the price. Yes, before it will be mentioned inevitably, I know it's expensive compared with Bangkok, but that's irrelevant as I need to compare those options that I actually have in Phnom Penh. My last trip from the airport was 35,200 riel. My last trip back to the airport was 35,400 riel. For a Grab car to/from Riverside.
Re: Tourist Traps
Ryan754326 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:27 am I’ve always thought of tourist traps as things that people, who don’t know any better, expect to be cheap, only to be scammed or intimidated into paying significantly more than what it should actually cost. Things like the massage shops that switch out your $100 bills for fakes, or as someone else mentioned, tuk tuk drivers who charge old people too much for a tour of the city.
Anyone with any sense should know that if you want to eat at fancy restaurants on the riverside, and drink imported wine, you’re going to pay a premium for it.
Any place that has the prices on the menu should not be considered a tourist trap. They’re simply expensive restaurants, and by the sounds of things, these places attract as many locals and expats, as tourists.
finally someone who understands the assignment ....this thread went from being about tourist traps to discussing restaurant prices and service, way off topic, in true forum fashionRe: Tourist Traps
What qualifies as a tourist trap; bright shiny lights, poor food, skimpy dressed ladies hanging outside?
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