Taxi gouging

We have taken taxis in Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Australia in the past few years and each country is a little different however it is evident that no one driving taxi/tuc tuc are making much money. If they are honest they get a reasonable tip and as is the case in many countries they take you to a shop that tries to sell you something with permission they get some gas chits, its a bonus for them. We had an experience where a cell phone fell out of a pocket and with a few phone calls it was discovered in the back of a tuc tuc in Kerela India this past February. The driver got a big tip for returning it he could have denied its existance but honesty deserves a reward.

The big problem with tourists overpaying for rides is the locals may have to pay a little extra and that's not fair so ask first and deny extra above the accepted rate but tip well you can probably afford it.