A funny, slightly-too-true field guide to the “foreigner tax,” and how to dodge it with grace.
By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
You land. You smile. You buy water. The price sounds like rent.
“Don’t exploit me!” you whisper to your wallet.
Relax. What you’re feeling isn’t always evil—it’s Economics With Vibes. Sellers see clues (your accent, your shoes, your shiny confidence) and assume you can pay “small extra.” It happens in Accra, Nairobi, Cairo, Bangkok—everywhere tourists walk like fresh ATM machines with sunscreen.
Good news: there’s a cure. It’s called humor + homework + hello.
The Street Economy Cast (You’ll meet them all)
- Madam Calculator: Knows eight price points for the same item—and which one fits your sunglasses.
- Uncle Wholesale: Silent, fair, allergic to haggling. Exact cash only; no drama.
- The Friendly Middleman: “My sister, follow me.” You will follow. The price will rise.
- The Side-Eye Accountant (child): Yells the price, then winks because they know it’s negotiable.
Tiny truth: In markets, the smile is a discount button. Use it.
Price Physics (a.k.a. Why your total keeps floating)
On-the-street equation:
Price = Base + Foreigner Flair + Shoes Surcharge + Hurry Fee – Greeting Discount – Local Phrase Bonus.
- Foreigner Flair: Accent + camera = “premium available.”
- Shoes Surcharge: White sneakers = dollar brain.
- Hurry Fee: “I need it now!” translates to “Please charge me double.”
- Greeting Discount: “Good morning, boss” reduces prices by 10% and blood pressure by 40%. Proven by vibes.
- Local Phrase Bonus: One “Me paakyɛw” (please) is worth three coupons.
Three Scenes You’ll Absolutely Live
1. The Water That Cost a Mortgage
You: “How much?”
Vendor: “20.” (for a 5-cedi bottle)
You: smiles “Ei, why? Yesterday it was 5.”
Vendor: “Okay, bring 7.”
You: “I have 5 and blessings.”
Vendor: “Take 5. Add blessing.”
Lesson: Polite theatre > loud anger.
2. The Taxi Tango
Driver: “300 to Airport.”
You: “Boss, last time was 90.”
Driver: “Fuel has gone up.”
You: “True. Let’s do 120 and I’ll buy water.”
Driver: “Sit.”
Lesson: Anchor the price, then add a tiny sweetener.
3. The Souvenir Spiral
Seller: “Handmade! 600.”
You: “Nice. I’ll check next shop.” (walks 3 steps)
Seller: “Sister, come—how much can you pay?”
You: “200.”
Seller: “Top up small.”
You: “220 and add one bracelet.”
Seller: “Take and go.”
Lesson: The Walk-Away Move works globally.
The “Don’t Exploit Me” Kit (pocket edition)
- Greet first: “Good morning/afternoon, boss/madam.”
- Ask 2–3 stalls before buying. Data beats drama.
- Never love out loud: If you say “I love it,” the price grows muscles.
- Small notes only: Big bills create “change amnesia.”
- Know a benchmark price: Ask your hotel/driver/neighbor for “normal price” first.
- Walk calmly: You’re not in a hurry; your money isn’t either.
Magic script:
“Please, what’s your best price for someone who will come back?”
Vendors love loyalty energy. Even future loyalty.
Mini Phrasebook (Accra flavor, works with smiles)
- “Maakye / Maaha, boss.” (Good morning / afternoon.)
- “Sɛn?” (How much?)
- “Fa so kakra.” (Reduce small.)
- “Mepɛ sika ketewa so.” (Small budget, please.)
- “Medaase.” (Thank you.)
Say it gently. You’re buying goodwill as much as goods.
What’s Normal vs. What’s Nonsense
Normal (breathe):
- First price high, second price reasonable.
- “Top up small” negotiations.
- Small “tourist premium” near big attractions.
Nonsense (walk away):
- Triple price + attitude.
- “Pay now, I’ll bring the item.” (Nope.)
- “Official fine—MoMo to my personal number.” (Station or nothing.)
Global Twist (It’s not just Ghana)
- New York: “Best pizza” for tourists—locals walk two blocks cheaper.
- Bangkok: Tuk-tuk for 10x unless you smile and name a street.
- Marrakech: Maze surcharge. The map is not the territory.
- Paris: Coffee with a view tax. Turn the corner; price calms down.
Conclusion: You’re not being singled out. You’re being welcomed to Earth.
Pro-Level Moves (When you’re serious)
- Bundle: “If I take 3, what’s your best?” Markets love combos.
- Return customer trick: “Last week you gave me good price.” They will adopt you.
- Local buddy: Go once with a local friend. Prices reset next time you arrive solo.
- Receipts & MoMo notes: Write the vendor name in the transfer note. Memory is a weapon.
Fun Facts & Tiny Tidbits
- The words “last price” are not legally binding anywhere on the planet.
- Decembers have detty pricing. January has repentance pricing.
- Your laugh is a coupon. Your frown is a surcharge.
- The toothpick economy after midnight proves snacks drive GDP.
Respect = ROI
- Don’t bark “Don’t exploit me!” at people who are hustling to eat.
- Greet, smile, counter with respect.
- If you overpay by a little and feel good? That’s called tourism.
- If you overpay by a lot and feel bad? That’s called a lesson. Keep the receipt—next time you’ll win.
Final Word
You can’t stop every “foreigner tax,” but you can shrink it until it’s just a tip for good service.
Be kind. Be patient. Be slightly stubborn.
And remember: the cheapest thing you can carry to any market is a smile—and small notes.
Bonus Expansion (added detail, same message)
Deeper How-To by Situation
Markets (Makola, Kumasi Central, Arts Centre):
- Scout three stalls first. The first quote is a weather report, not a promise.
- Touch the goods (zippers, seams, freshness). Verification is a discount.
- Bundle power: Fabric + headtie + earrings = better math.
- Exit line: “Madam, next time I’ll come straight to you.” (They’ll remember you.)
Taxis (street hail):
- Ask a local, “How much is normal from X to Y?” Use that as your anchor.
- Offer 70–80% of “normal,” settle near 90–100% with good vibes.
- If it’s wild, walk away smiling. Supply appears when you act patient.
Ride-hailing (Bolt/Uber):
- Check two apps; prices dance.
- Add a pickup pin away from chaos to avoid “I can’t find you = cancellation fee.”
- If the driver calls with a “flat price,” say, “Let’s keep it in-app, boss.”
Restaurants & Bars:
- Tourist strip = view tax. One street behind = same food, calmer bill.
- Ask, “Service charge included?” before you tip.
- Split the bill early (math after 2 a.m. becomes jazz).
Tours & Tickets:
- Ask the official price at the gate.
- If approached outside: “Thanks—let me confirm inside.”
- Real guides have badges; fake ones have confidence.
Timing, Weather & Location Effects
- Morning = calmer pricing. Afternoon heat taxes tempers and totals.
- Rain = umbrella futures go up. Prices become waterproof.
- Near attractions = premium. Buy water 200 meters away; your wallet will clap.
- Payday Fridays = inventory wide, discounts soft.
- January = mercy month; December = bring a bigger budget.
Body Language & Props
- Hands visible, shoulders relaxed. You look like a person, not a problem.
- Neutral clothes. Logos scream “mark-up me.”
- Reusable tote > designer bag. Totes translate to “I live here sometimes.”
Receipts, Refunds & “oops” Protocol
- MoMo memo: Add a note (“Tomatoes—Auntie Ama, Makola”).
- Screenshot + Star the transaction for fast retrieval.
- Wrong number? Call the provider immediately. Minutes matter.
- Dispute script: “Boss, I want to solve this nicely. Here is the message and time.” Calm is a tool.
More Role-Play Scripts
Souvenir upgrade:
Seller: “This one 400.”
You: “It’s fine work. If I take two, what’s your best?”
Seller: “700.”
You: “I can do 550 and you add small beads.”
Seller: “Okay, 580.”
You: “Let’s do 560—bless me with the beads.”
Seller: “Take and go.”
Hotel taxi desk:
Driver: “Airport 250.”
You: “Hotel said 120–150. Let’s do 140 and I go now.”
Driver: “Okay, 150.”
You: “Deal.”
Street food (with love):
Vendor: “Kebab 15.”
You: “Boss, I’m adding two waters—give me two kebab for 25.”
Vendor: “Take it.”
Red Flags Radar
- “Official fine—send to my personal number.” → Station or nothing.
- “Limited time—now or never.” → It’s always still there tomorrow.
- “My uncle is the manager” → Your uncle is everywhere.
Extra Fun Facts
- The phrase “dash me” (add a small freebie) works more often than you’d think.
- Toothpicks-per-table is the unspoken nightlife KPI.
- In markets, the kid CFO who yells the price is the truest economist.
- Compliments are currency: “Auntie, your tomatoes are shining!” (Price: -10%. Mood: +100%.)
Ethics That Keep You Welcome
- Pay fair, not minimum misery. A tiny premium for kindness buys community.
- Tip small when someone really helps (packing, directions, language).
- If you truly can’t agree, bless and bounce. The next stall might be your destiny.
The Pocket Card (print this in your head)
- Greet.
- Ask two prices.
- Counter at 60–70%.
- Walk-away move.
- Close with small “dash.”
- Smile. Save your receipts. Drink water.
That’s it. Fewer “Don’t exploit me!” moments. More “I did well” stories.
📖 Coming Up Next: Chapter 32: Ghana Tech, Explained (with jokes you can actually use)
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.