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If you've traveled internationally, then you've more likely than not walked through a duty free shop somewhere in the world. Most new airports even force you to pass through the duty free shop in order to get to the gates. The classic assortment of liquor, chocolate, expensive watches and jewelry is pretty much the same worldwide. But what about the staff?
On my way back from a conference in Hyderabad a week ago I was funneled through the duty free area, and was approached by three separate salespeople with valuable information about a sale and recommendations for what to buy (a watch, since they're 20% off, or jewelry for my wife for Valentine's Day). What struck me is that I've always found duty free shops to be very low-pressure sales environments, but these salespeople made it feel like I was on the street in Delhi being accosted by the merchants there. Having survived the gauntlet in Hyderabad, it was almost a relief to arrive in Dubai where the duty free shops are relaxedly silent and the staff only speak when spoken to.
But what was it about the shops in Hyderabad? Was it the salespeople under pressure from their managers to generate more sales, and so they tried to increase sales in the way with which they were familiar? Or was it that the management wanted to remind potential customers that they were still in India and encouraged their staff to sell hard? I didn't buy anything there, but the experience certainly left an impression.
Alright, on to the photos. I'm still catching up from last December, but I threw in a few shots from my trip to Hyderabad as well.
A few shots from the actual conference...
And now for some catch-up. Jason and I still have our motorcycles in Ethiopia, but they're only allowed to be in the country for 6 months at a time. That meant... oh darn... that we had to take them out of the country last December. If you have to cross a border, then why not ride to Kenya for lunch? ;-)
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Parting shot...
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