Comments on: Uzbekistan? Overchargistan!

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 14:41:58 +0000

@Yahya: I’m so sorry to hear about your experiences in Medina, Fes and Marakech! Once a person spends some time in a place, it’s easier to understand how things work and what regular prices are for things. But, it is unfortunate that you always have to be on guard in Tourist areas. Glad you still love Morocco!

By: Yahya

Yahya — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:02:43 +0000

Absolutely true, cheating tourist is rampant in touristy sites…more so in poor countries.

In Morocco I got cheated in the old town Medina, Fes and Marakech souqs. I was so enticed after sampling the juicy fat dates and delicious figs at one of the shops. Bought a 2 kilo box of figs in good faith but later found only the first layer was good and the rest were just fit for donkey’s food. In fact some wiggling worms were showing up by the time I arrived in my country. So was Marrakesh, I bought a small piece of amber for 125 dirham and later discovered it actually cost only 20 dirham! Even for a glass of juice, one can get ripped off. Ironically, I still love Morocco….but I’ll be smarter next time

By: Tweets that mention A Look at Uzbekistan's Overcharging Habits -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention A Look at Uzbekistan's Overcharging Habits -- Topsy.com — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:14:49 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Uncornered Market, Gap Adventures UK. Gap Adventures UK said: RT @umarket: Uzbekistan? Overchargistan! (plus, kindness in unlikely places) http://su.pr/2vsRt8 #travel [...]

By: Kimal

Kimal — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:47:15 +0000

Oh, I see now.
Then I can get what u mean.
Thakns for, pics. they r wonderful.
I love Xiva and Bukhara.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:40:18 +0000

@Kimal: We completely agree that Uzbek people are very kind and hospitable and the intention was not to criticize Uzbekistan, but to report on something we observed. We also had the experience of Uzbeks giving us meals for free (see #6 here) and going out of the way to help us. Usually, this happened in areas where there were not many foreign tourists. Our experience showed that in areas frequented by foreign tourists there was a much higher chance of scams - this is true all over the world of tourist sites. This is why we always tried to get out of the tourist areas and connect with regular Uzbeks. As in any country, this is the best way to get to know a place and its people.

By: Kimal

Kimal — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:25:48 +0000

hi,
Absolutely agree wiz Shaxnoza.
May be Tourist in Uzb. are cheated by Uzbeks but why we should talk about uzbek men and relationship between women and men. I think every country has it own bad and good sides. US and other developed countries as well.
One thing I can say (having experience of working as a formal tourist guide in Uzbekistan) Uzbek people are very kind and their hospitality is perfect, they can give a place to sleep and peace of meal even not think what u r and who r u. (free, I saw it many times, during my stay there ) however, I’ve never heard that in US or in other countries same story.
Well, hope everyone can understand that it is not so good to criticize other nation.

By: shahnoza

shahnoza — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:28:15 +0000

was very interesting to read the impression of the intourist about the uzbekistan. thank you

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:31:49 +0000

@SM: Unfortunately, we’ve learned over the last 2+ years on the road that ripping off tourists does happen often in tourist areas, like in these Silk Road cities. However, get outside the tourist areas and we’ve found people treat you like humans and are incredibly giving, like at small plov stands around Tashkent or outside the old town in Khiva (where a woman invited us to share her lunch with her).

We met Uzbek women happily married to Uzbek men and Uzbek women happily married to foreign men. Each had their own reasons for choosing to marry the way they did. Traveling as a married couple, we get lots of questions about marriage in America and hear lots of views on marriage and family in return. As everywhere, there’s good and bad.

Even though Uzbek society (as well as other societies in Central Asia) may be traditional, I’ve met many Uzbek women (in Uzbekistan and outside) who are successful professionally and are very strong people. There are still traditional areas in America today as well, not just 50 years ago.

As for the discussion of Uzbek vs. Russian men, that’s for another time and place!

By: SM

SM — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:36:24 +0000

I think ripping off tourists is common in poor countries everywhere and I don’t think one can do anything about it. Regarding 15-20% service charges, it is normal in Uzbekistan. It is almost always written separately on the bill or menus (I am talking about Tashkent).

“She married a South African man instead.”
I don’t think she married SA because all or majority of uzbek men are like the one she described. This is a typical excuse for an uzbek woman who marries a foreigner, especially someone from SA.
I agree that it is a conservative country with its traditions where woman’s main role is housekeeping. 50 years ago women in the US were also typical housewives, they were made to stay home and have kids. Watch the movie Mona Lisa Smile, for example.
Also saying that men go out and hit the discos, etc is pathetic. How many married uzbek men, I mean those over 35-40, has she or you seen go out to night clubs? I thought discos in Uzbekistan were places for younger people.

Ivan,
russian men may be even worse. I can give you numerous other examples. But again it would be wrong to generalize.

By: Ivan

Ivan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:44:34 +0000

Everything about uzbek men is right!