Well I will agree that you will find touts at areas where there are tourists gathered. I disagree with the comparison of ubud to kuta . I have spent nights in Lovina , Ubud, Ahmed , Sanur and Bedugul along with the Kuta area . . At the larger sights , like Ula Watu and Tahah Lot , there are many but walk on Monkey Forest Rd (ubud)for a hundred yards and then Jl Kuta for 100 yards , there is no comparison .

Yes , i feel comfortable in Bali . and yes i do get annoyed in Kuta . But Kuta itself is lacking in Balinese culture , and I dont travel to indonesia to go shopping in Kuta.

Yes , i do agree the Balinese like to blame outsiders for all problems (lombok, javanese) , but ... they are usually right . The local authorities have done periodical checks of Indonesians to see if they are local residents.(id card checks) NOt exactly freedom . but , many of the touts (not the best jobs, ayam (girls) are from other parts of indonesia) The Balinese believe in Karma , and for the most part, dont want to embarrass themselves among family or the gods .