Travel long enough, and you start to notice a pattern: no matter where you go (bustling bazaars, tiny mountain towns, neon-lit night markets), people ask you the same five questions. Some are friendly. Some are curious. And some are… well, strategic. You start to learn when and why these questions are being asked. (Hint: a bargaining shopkeeper is asking them.)

Here are the big five, what they actually mean, and how to answer like a seasoned traveler.

1. “Where are you from?”

Ah yes: the universal icebreaker. But in many bartering cultures, this question is doing double duty. It’s not just small talk… it’s pricing research.

If you answer “USA,” you automatically unlock the tourist tax. Ta-da! Suddenly that handmade bracelet is $45. If you answer with something more obscure, you might get a puzzled look... and a better price.

Pro tip: Answer with a half truth. My mother is from Guyana. So I say Guyana when I know they're price-gauging me.

2. “Is this your first time here?”

This one sounds innocent, almost welcoming, but it’s basically a soft skills assessment. If you say yes, you’re communicating:

• You don’t know the scams

• You don’t know the exchange rate

• You don’t know how long a taxi ride should take

• You are ripe for “special tourist experiences” (the paid kind)

  
  

If you say no, doors open. People assume you know the drill, and they generally treat you accordingly.

Pro tip: Even if it is your first time, try: “I’ve been in the region for a while.” Keeps things pleasantly ambiguous.

Pro pro tip: Do your homework beforehand so you know the situation you're walking into, how much something should be, etc.

3. “Are you married?” / “Do you have a boyfriend?”

This question, generally for women, shows up everywhere, from taxi drivers to shopkeepers to friendly aunties at tea stalls.

Sometimes (rarely) it’s curiosity. Sometimes (rarely) it’s matchmaking. Sometimes (mostly) it’s measuring what kind of “protective bubble” surrounds you.

Saying “yes” often ends conversations faster. Saying “no” can bring more questions (or creepy proposals).

Pro tip: When in doubt (and trust me, you will know), invent a fictional partner who is “meeting you later.” It works like pepper spray, but socially. Stay safe.

4. “How long are you staying?”

This is a vibe check. Someone trying to sell you something wants to know if they have a few days to work on you, or if they need to close the deal in the next ten seconds.

For locals making genuine conversation, it can be a way to understand your itinerary and offer help.

Pro tip: If you sense a sales pitch brewing, say: “I leave early tomorrow.” Amazing how fast the price drops. Especially if you start to walk away.

5. “How much did you pay for your hotel/phone/camera/bracelet?”

You might think this is rude. Nope: it’s data gathering.

Local vendors often want to confirm whether tourists are being overcharged (we usually are) and how much they can get away with charging others for a similar item. Curious strangers just love price gossip.

Pro tip: Don’t feel obligated to answer. A simple: “Oh, I bought it a while ago—I don’t remember exactly,” shuts the conversation down nicely.

Final Thoughts

None of these questions are bad, they’re simply part of the dance of travel, part of the game. The more countries you explore, the more fluent you become in the unspoken meaning behind the words.

Answer confidently, stay observant, bargain with grace, and, most importantly, have fun with it.

Big hugs,

Gigi