Extortion, not service

Extortion, not service

From Jayakarta

Recently we went on a trip to Pelabuhan Ratu Beach, West Java, and stayed the night there. Before we returned to Jakarta, we visited the fish market to buy some fresh fish. We were fortunate to find that all the fish were still good and fresh and that the price was much cheaper than that in Jakarta.

I bought three different fish and we were about to leave the place when a child approached us, offering his services. He offered a plastic bag and wanted to clean the fish. We sympathized with him and let him clean the fish, thinking that he would be pleased with a Rp 1,000 to 1,500 tip.

A few moments afterwards the child returned, handing over to me the fish, in the plastic bag, already filled with pieces of ice. Completely happy and satisfied, we gave him the tip and an extra Rp 2,000 for the bag and ice. The boy refused. We gave him another Rp 1,000. He kept refusing our offer. So what?

He then gave a break down of the price of his commodities: Rp 1,000 for the plastic bag, Rp 2,000 for the ice and another Rp 2,000 for services.

Well, well. This was no service but extortion! I was told later that many other buyers had the same experience. Folks, beware.

TETTY AND RAMA

Depok, West Java