DENPASAR (indo.com): Vendors or hawkers peddling snacks, drinks or other items on Kuta beach, Bali are often seen as 'pushy' and give the impression of rudeness that might cause travellers inconvenience. In fact, as vendor Ketut Runtun has told indo.com, they do not mean to be rude.

"We are actually not rude, as other local people have thought, as long as the guests say 'no thanks'. We'll never push the guests (to buy from us) if they have said 'no thanks'," Ketut advised.

However, Ketut went on, "if they (the guests) start to ask the price, quality (of the goods they are selling) or even give comments, we keep persuading them to buy," she said.

"People who don't know our particular technique will comment that we adopt a rude way (of selling our goods). But sometimes I find that the guests are rude in getting rid of the vendors when they have already discussed the price," she explained.

Asked how they interact with foreigners, she said that several vendors have mastered sale techniques and spoken several foreign languages like English with Australian and American slang.

She said that they (the vendors) will walk toward guests who make eye contact with them. "If there are guests who make eye contact with us, this means that they (the guests) are interested. At this moment, we find that it is a good opportunity to persuade them to buy," she said.

"Sometimes, the guests do not seem to pay attention to us. But when we show our goods, they start to ask the price and make comments on the quality. At this moment, it is a good opportunity to spend, say half an hour, haggling with the guests and hopefully, they'll decide to buy," she said.

So - bear in mind their techniques. If you do not wish to be continuously bothered by vendors when trying to relax on the beach, avoid eye contact. If you are approached but really are not interested, a simple, firm, but friendly "tidak terima kasih" (no thank you) will usually send them on their way - especially if you say it in Indonesian. And remember - once you've asked the price… they don't care whether you want it or not, they'll want you to buy it!