_Heather Hamilton_: Hypochondriac[1]. &#8220;It is because of my dog that I
have been smitten with an Ovarian Cyst&reg;; it is because of my dog that my
husband can't breathe with phlegm-free lungs. I can safely blame the dog for

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From rssfeeds@jmason.org  Thu Oct  3 12:24:07 2002

URL: http://boingboing.net/#85516563
Date: Not supplied
Interview with cartoonist Ted Rall, who has traveled to South Asia recently,
and has tips on how to deal with bribe-hungry border guards and the like:
Rall: Now I realize that's just the way it is, and I know how to do it and
get away without paying a bribe, or paying something very modest. You have
to show them that you know the routine and that you know you don't have to
give them anything, and just have a low-key demeanor. But if you get angry,
that's just going to make things worse for you. You get out of your vehicle
and you walk up to them -- you don't try to avoid these guys; you don't try
to avoid their eyes -- you go up with a big smile, give them a big
handshake and sort of rub their shoulders and say, "Hey, great to see you.
You're my new best friend for the next five minutes."
GROTH: Basically act like a used car salesman.
RALL: It's exactly like that! You always carry cigarettes. You offer them a
cigarette, and you say, "Hey, what's goin' on? How's it goin'? Great.
Here's my documents. How's the road?" Just small talk, because these guys
are bored. They're in the middle of nowhere, and you're sometimes the only
vehicle they've seen for many hours. They're often very drunk, so you just
have to be cool.
Link[1] Discuss[2]
[1] http://www.tcj.com/247/i_rall.html
[2] http://www.quicktopic.com/16/H/de7BfPnMekg