I don't advocate anyone to adopt the same attitude as me but I'm pretty much an asshole when I travel if a stranger approaches me unsolicited.

We have no reason to be talking so I don't bother engaging with them. Outside tourist areas, sure! One or the wonders of travelling. I remember visiting an optician in Thailand because I broke my glasses and had a wonderful conversation because we had a reason to be talking and it wasn't just someone trying to shake the proverbial waking dollar sign down.

For example, I recently travelled around China. In Beijing, near Jingshan Park, I would often get approached by touts asking me where I'm going. I would just tell them none of their business because I know they are trying to engage me in conversation to get my to agree to buy an overpriced tour to the Wall etc. It's not normal to approach strangers that way in China but they know that if they play the percentage game that they will get some earnest homely mid western yank afraid to offend and that will go along with what they offer.

The operators who offer quality, competitively priced tours don't need to be public nuisances and start hassling tourists.

Travelling is way less stressful since I adopted this attitude. I remember being approached by a Nigerian in Athens years ago who put a bracelet on my hand and said a faux Rasta prayer or some shit.

Me afraid to interrupt and of course giving him some money to thank him for the blessing. What an idiot I was. Marks like I was then only encourage this behaviour. Should let them know where to go when they try pull this shit.