In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
This is a great thread, I've just spent an hour reading it.
Sadly, three years ago in Rome, I fell for the string around the hands scam. I ended up out 10 Euro because my friend and I just agreed it was easier to pay the man and leave. Nowadays I wouldn't do it.
Once about four years ago I took the train from Rye to Grand Central in New York and asked for a cab to LGA. As I'd been doing that run for years I knew it should have been around $20. The driver decided we were obviously tourists and drove through central park to the west side and back to the Triborough Bridge. Once we got to LGA the fare was $39.60. I told him "I live here, I know what you did, here's $40, enjoy the tip you (explative)". My complaint to the TLC went unanswered.