You should get ripped off on vacation

A person usually has two reasons for doing a thing: one that sounds good and a real one.
— J. Piermont Morgan

In a few weeks, we’ll be leaving Sri Lanka. It’s always something special—these last few moments in a place where we spent almost a year. We’re no longer in exploration mode, but instead trying to double down on the things and places we enjoyed most.

One thing that has been constant over our few years of traveling is that, wherever we go, we’ll be treated as tourists. At first, I really disliked that. I wanted to prove to everyone (mostly locals) that—no, we’re not just staying two weeks, so we’re not like regular tourists.

Then, partly out of lassitude, I started to accept the fact that (1) I will always be seen that way, and (2) I am really a tourist. Living somewhere for a year doesn’t make up for an entire life spent in one place. It doesn’t give you magic ties to a place nor to a community. It was a bit arrogant to think I should somehow earn that right.

So here I am now, a tourist, living my tourist life in Sri Lanka—though with a deeper knowledge of my surroundings and the people here. And one thing we have to accept, as tourists, is paying tourist prices.

I know a lot of people get angry about that. They hate feeling taken advantage of. It feels unfair, and like being treated as a fool. And yes—sometimes, that’s exactly what it is.

But still, I think that as tourists, we should pay the tourist prices.

The kind of tourism I’m talking about is mostly rich people flying to poorer countries—so even if you pay twice the price for a coconut, it’s still probably half of what you’d pay at home. And the people who are trying to charge you more? They’re often the ones who need that money most.

But more importantly, it should be seen as a contribution. Just by showing up, we change these places—that’s gentrification. Every touristy place you visit is shaped by people like you coming—and so we should pay the price of that change.

So get ripped off by your taxi driver, overcharged by the fruit stand lady, and pay a rent way above what locals do. Because each time we do, we give back a small(er) part of what we take from these communities. Which, by the way, will never fully compensate for the changes happening to their lives, cultures, and environments.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t negotiate—it’s often part of how things are done. But don’t get angry when you realize you still paid double what a local would.

— James

PS: in Sri Lanka, entrance to national parks often costs between $30–$40 per person for foreigners. In contrast, locals pay around $0.30. I love that locals get to enjoy these protected areas at a price adapted to them—and that tourism helps fund the protection of these places.

Tools & Websites

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MAKER OF THE WEEK

Amoako Boafo is a Ghanaian contemporary artist celebrated for his finger-painted portraits that highlight Black identity, beauty, and individuality. He studied art both in Ghana and Austria, where he developed his signature style—painting directly with his fingers to create textured, expressive faces.

His art is known and praised worldwide, appearing in major galleries and collections worldwide, and even traveled to space on a Blue Origin rocket. Despite his global success, Boafo remains connected to his roots and is actively supporting the art scene in Ghana.

James’ Library

…Aesthetic Corner…

2025 Open Competition Winners

Explore these winning shots from the 2025 World Photography Organisation competition, featuring categories including architecture, motion, lifestyle, and street photography.

Metaphone

Let me share this hilarious Indiegogo campaign with you 😂

(Un)Sustainable Living

In 2005, Sony released a commercial for its Bravia TV line that quickly became iconic. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig, the ad featured 250,000 colorful bouncy balls cascading down the steep streets of San Francisco. The campaign’s goal was to showcase the slogan "Colour like no other" with real, vivid imagery—no CGI.

Making the commercial was a massive production effort. Crews sourced bouncy balls from all over the country, set up air-powered launchers, and secured special permits from the city. The shoot caused plenty of chaos—damaging windows, cars, and houses, reportedly racking up around $75,000 in window repairs. In the end, the commercial won major awards and left a lasting impression as one of the most memorable ads of the decade.

You can read more about this crazy story on the SFGate Magazine.

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