why do you accept those prices ???

[Paul L]

How many lobsters and tuna will be left for the locals if a bay full of eastern Caribbean cruisers/tourists takes their (un)limit every day? It's a pretty western concept that these are free for anyone to take.

[contrail]

Not only that, but in some islands, fishing requires a license and or catching a lobster is forbidden, or some such. These islands reserve their natural resources for their own people, to catch and eat, or to sell. It's only fair, but that drives up the price. It's part of the phenomenon of tourism, and those who deliberately look the other way and take part in those activities are actually stealing. And often severely penalized.

[TrentePieds]

Don't pick on poor old Vancouver, Mike. Twanna is even worse :-0)!

TP

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Don't pick on poor old Vancouver, Mike. Twanna is even worse :-0)!

TP

True. But Hog Town is worse for everything .

[TrentePieds]

Some charity or other was running a contest here a few month ago. Third prize was two weeks all expenses paid in Hog Town. Second prize was one week. First prize was never having to go to Twanna at all :-)!

TP

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by redhead

As to effects of tourist prices on locals -

An old friend of mine lives in Key West - she makes her living playing guitar & singing down at Mallory Square every night. She's far from rich, but one of the happiest people I know.

Anyway, we're down there visiting her and after she's done we're going to give her a ride home. As we're walking to the car we decide to grab some hamburgers at a food truck. Three burgers, 3 french fries, 3 cokes.

"That'll be $73 please".

My husband goes reaching for his wallet, but my friend stops him and just greets the guy behind the counter and tells him we're with her.

"Oh, hi Liz - OK that'll be $40 buck even".

She tells us that all over Key West there are two price lists, tourist and local. It's the only way they can afford to live and work there.

Key West, a favorite stomping ground in my youth, has been ruined for me by tourism. 3 burgers, 3 fries, 3 cokes 40.00, forget about it.

[Gary Mc]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Some charity or other was running a contest here a few month ago. Third prize was two weeks all expenses paid in Hog Town. Second prize was one week. First prize was never having to go to Twanna at all :-)!

TP

Just curious if any our American friends understand any of this?

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Gary Mc

Just curious if any our American friends understand any of this?

Not a clue.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Gary Mc

Just curious if any our American friends understand any of this?

Im an Aussie and can understand what your saying, Hahahahahaha

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Gary Mc

Just curious if any our American friends understand any of this?

If so, then it’s a nice change from the norm .

It’s just some Canadian-centric quasi-political banter. Nothing to see here …. carry on .

Here, in an attempt to get back on track, according to this website that compares cost of living between cities:

Cost of living in Miami, Florida (United States) is 20% more expensive than in Toronto (Canada)

[Pelagic]

I think you need to keep price gouging and tourist rates in perspective.

Here in the Philippines average DAILY salary in Visayas is about Php375/day.

That's US$ 7.28 a day!

If some local charges me double the local rate for fresh fish or vegetables, I am still way ahead and can have fun negotiating with them, but always paying more than the locals.

However, my Filipino girlfriend Zaida won't accept that and hates it when I go market shopping with her..

Seems, my mere presence screws-up her ability to get the local "best price"....which is a badge of honor for her [emoji4]

I am now relegated to reading the newspaper in a local coffee shop, while she does the buying.

I don't fight it![emoji1]

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I think you need to keep price gouging and tourist rates in perspective.

If some local charges me double the local rate for fresh fish or vegetables, I am still way ahead and can have fun negotiating with them, but always paying more than the locals.

Seems, my mere presence screws-up her ability to get the local "best price"....which is a badge of honor for her [emoji4]

I am now relegated to reading the newspaper in a local coffee shop, while she does the buying.

I don't fight it![emoji1]

HAHA...same experience in Vietnam in places like Saigon, Da Nang, Hanoi, etc. where foreigners tend to hang out.

Fortunately...1.) most foreigners don't go to the small local markets, 2.) my VN residence is not near a tourist destination, and 3.) speaking a bit of the language and knowing the neighbors helps.

[mabowers]

Originally Posted by redhead

As to effects of tourist prices on locals -

An old friend of mine lives in Key West - she makes her living playing guitar & singing down at Mallory Square every night. She's far from rich, but one of the happiest people I know.

Anyway, we're down there visiting her and after she's done we're going to give her a ride home. As we're walking to the car we decide to grab some hamburgers at a food truck. Three burgers, 3 french fries, 3 cokes.

"That'll be $73 please".

My husband goes reaching for his wallet, but my friend stops him and just greets the guy behind the counter and tells him we're with her.

"Oh, hi Liz - OK that'll be $40 buck even".

She tells us that all over Key West there are two price lists, tourist and local. It's the only way they can afford to live and work there.

When I lived in Hawaii it was the same way. There was "Kamaaina" price and tourist price, in cities and around tourist hotspots.

[waterman46]

Welcome to capitalism. Market drives prices. No price controls, very little government interference. Since you are from Greece, no doubt you understand the ill effects of bad government policies.

You did a good job learning how to survive in spite of having no money. Don't know what I would have done in same circumstances.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

If some local charges me double the local rate for fresh fish or vegetables, I am still way ahead and can have fun negotiating with them, but always paying more than the locals.

However, my Filipino girlfriend Zaida won't accept that and hates it when I go market shopping with her..

Seems, my mere presence screws-up her ability to get the local "best price"....which is a badge of honor for her [emoji4]

Opposite experience here.

Once I learn the dialect and know the local seasonal prices, I'm such a sharp haggler my partner gets embarrassed (losing face) and lets me do the marketing on my own 8-)