july 20: dark secrets revealed, vol. 1

Above picture: The shady little business on the backside of my building.

I live on the backside of a nice building. So, when I go down the building's backside stairs I run into things that other people do not see. For instance, this shady little portal of business dealings.

The frontside of the building is nice. It has a bank, a nice outdoor restaurant "The Kebab House", and a fine goods emporium.

I never understood what this backside business actually did. All I knew was that they always had two guys sitting on those two chairs, nervously watching and waiting for something. Whenever I passed to go up the stairs to my room, the guys sitting on the chairs would never say hi or give me a nod. And they would stay until very late at night.

I began to think that they were in some kind of illicit business. Because every once in awhile a taxidriver (or auto-rickshaw) would pull up to the front of the building, walk through the passway, and go up to the guys sitting in front of the backside doorway. They would all go into the curtains, make a transaction, and the taxidriver (or auto-rickshaw) would walk out with nothing in his hands.

I started to get really interested in this conspicious little business. With this new interest I made a discovery. When taxidrivers (or auto-rickshaw) would show up on the front side of the building they didn't come alone. They would bring foreign businessmen and tourist-y looking people along with them.

The businessman or tourist would go into the fine goods emporium and the taxidriver (or auto-rickshaw) would go to the backside business. Here's the kicker: the backside business is the also the fine goods emporium. Go look at the sign above the door.

I am sure you are starting to piece this together. The fine goods emporium has a unwritten rule with taxidrivers and auto-rickshaw drivers. If they bring some to the store they get a small payment and if the person buys something they get 10% of the sale.

Above picture: The fine goods emporium AKA the tourist trap.

A typical conversation between a taxidrivers and a businessperson/tourist:

Taxidriver: You in Bangalore for a couple of days
Businessman/tourist: Yes. Take me to the best shopping.
T: I know just the place
~
T: Here's the place. You go check it out and I'll wait here and keep the engine running.
B/t: Thanks. Your special, most taxidrivers will just take their fare money and run.

Above picture: One of the shady guys who runs the backside business.

Above picture: Gotcha!

I was at the "Kebab House" watching the tourist trap in action. With my camera.

Above picture: An auto-rickshaw driver (in green) celebrating the fruits of this particular tourist trap.

Lesson of the day: Taxidrivers gotta get paid.