JeanB

If you are in a public place with a backpack you are a target. Lets face it with a backpack you might as well have mug tatooed on your forehead.

When being hassled in the streets almost invariably you will be asked first " excuse me you speak english???" Whatever they say to you first it will be in english......this is their weakness.

At this point you say "izvinee ya nye gavaryu pa angliski.......tee gavareet pa rooski da?'' (sorry i dont speak english.......you speak russian yes?) This should leave them quite befuddled giving you a chance to stroll away calmly. It worked for me with the italian beggars anyways.

N.B This may not work if you have a giant canadian maple leaf on your backpack, or if you are actually in russia. No problems really, just reply in swahili. Make it up if you need to. whatever happens, it will be funny anyways........

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Last night i had a dream about reality. It was such a relief to wake up. - Stanislaw Lec.