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Comment by maxklein | Hacker News Reader

On my recent trip to Africa, I avoided giving bribes at 3 different spots in the airport by doing the following:

When they asked me for "something to have lunch with", I'd lower my voice and say "it's not possible now" then quickly glance at the person behind me.

Neither I nor them had to pay anything.

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Brilliant - I wish you posted this tip earlier when I went to Africa. Will do it the next time I go to India for sure.

It won't work in India. Because they don't take bribes at Airport (at least).

oh yes they do, in delhi.

And in Bombay.

What country in Africa? There are 54 of them.

Your country.

Ok, I don't get it.

history of cannibalism

By glancing back, he is implying that the person behind him is something like a plain-clothes security officer (who should not be bribed)

I got that part, but why would you have to give bribes to African airport officials?

Right- I am confused by "avoided giving bribes" since typically bribes are something you go out of your way to provide.

I am guessing corrupt officials basically request money from you for no reason- and it's expected you give it to them (for no reason as well). Then, they just call it a "bribe". But I'm guessing... pardon my cultural ignorance.

There's quite a few airports around the world where you'll run into this sort of scam. In Guadalajara, I've had to pay a "fee" to board a flight that I already had a seat on. In Bangalore I had to pay another fee so that my luggage would not go missing or be damaged.

Could be to provide "motivation" to not search your bag for "contraband". A bribe to prevent artificially-created slow-downs.

He implied that the person behind him was some kind of anti-corruption agent

Genius.

This reminds me of the opening scene in Juzo Itami's <i>Minbo-no Onna</i>. Nobuko Miyamoto's character does something similar with the yakuza.

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