From: "Frederick Noronha(FN)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004, Gabriel de Figueiredo wrote:
Fred, the issue here was we were shown one set of menus with one set of prices, and when charged, we were charged a different higher price. It would have been OK *if* we were shown the higher prices at the very start, which is when we would have made up our minds whether to eat there or not. And it wasn't a "Rs 20.00 a rice plate" place either - a bit more upmarket than that.
That's my point! You got over-charged (read cheated). I get overcharged whenever they come to know I'm a non-local. It has nothing to do with the fact that low budget tourists don't pay luxury taxes -- which Miguel pointed out.
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Fred:
With all due respect, this is not the point.
The two tier system that was being discussed was the official system where non-resident Indians are charged more than local - not "cheating" by some.
I was horrified when my wife and I visited the Taj Mahal two years back.
Local residents had to pay Rs. 20/- and foreigners had to pay Rs. 750/-. This was an official charge posted on the wall - not just an official trying to fleece us.
I notice now that this has been changed since.
I can understand a small surcharge as is being done now to pay for upkeep, etc. - but I would have preferred if it was a voluntary contribution.
Other places where this two-tier system is practiced: Hotels Rail fares Air Fares etc.
Tim de Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] CANADA
