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Journalism of Courage
A foreign tourist in India has gone viral for his bargaining skills after haggling the price of a bag down from Rs 550 to just Rs 50, and still walking away without buying it.
In the now-viral reel, the tourist is first seen buying a packet of chips for Rs 20. Moments later, he spots a street vendor selling “silk” bags and asks for the price. The vendor quotes Rs 550, but when asked for the “honest price,” he drops it to Rs 400. The tourist refuses, prompting a rapid price drop, first to Rs 200, then Rs 150, and finally Rs 50.
Amused by the sharp drop, the tourist asks, “How did it go from 550 to 200?” Even at Rs 50, he chooses not to buy the bag, leaving viewers divided over the ethics of his approach.
The video, posted on Instagram by user @nativety with the caption “$0.25 chips in India,” has amassed over 30.6 million views and 1 million likes, triggering a heated debate in the comments section.
The overlay text on the video said “Scam in India”.
One user commented, “Bro kept doing it till the seller says come on man it’s free.” Another said, “So sad that he tried to charge 500 for the bag. Luckily you knew what you were doing.”
But not everyone supported the tourist’s approach. A user wrote, “I wouldn’t call this a scam. I am sure you will buy the same tote in America for a much higher price and then pay a tip on it too.” Another criticised the unnecessary haggling, saying, “If you weren’t going to buy it, why did you even keep on bargaining. I hope you bought it though after all the unnecessary drama. Poor guy needed some sales for his family.”
This isn’t the first time a foreign tourist has had to demand a “fair price” in India. A few years ago, a well-known backpacker named Philip, who has travelled extensively around the world, shared a similar experience. Known for documenting his candid adventures across major global cities, Philip often posts practical travel tips to help fellow travellers avoid scams and overpriced deals.
In one of his popular TikTok clips, he exposed how some street vendors tend to inflate prices when dealing with foreigners. While he successfully negotiated a “fair price” during the encounter, his aggressive bargaining style didn’t sit well with everyone. Several viewers felt his approach lacked sensitivity toward local livelihoods.
