[steven777400]

Great read. I've never been in a situation where a bribe might have helped and so it's good to get some idea of "how bribes work" for possible future reference.

I have noticed that it seems valuable to project being "poorer" rather than "richer" when traveling. Naively it might seem like throwing money around would grease all sorts of wheels but the opposite has been my experience (although probably I just don't have enough money to throw around to really grease the wheels).

[mc32]

John MacAfee has a great guide. Context is important. You need to know the situation, you have to be situationally aware. You can't just start showing money (maybe alcohol or other "currency" depending on their penchants are more apt). You have to know a bit about the locals. See http://www.whoismcafee.com/the-travel-guide/

[pavel_lishin]

Serious question: given how ... unstable ... McAfee seems to be, how reliable is this guide?

[at-fates-hands]

Just because he's paranoid schizophrenic now does not lessen his experiences before his brain went AWOL. Considering he's dealt with some pretty hostile governments and government officials, I'd say the advice is pretty solid.

On a side note, when I was in telecom, My boss (who had been in the industry for 15 years) used to tell me about working for MCI and doing surveying and laying copper in several middle eastern countries. He told me some stories that would make the hair on your neck stand up.

He said it was an open secret that MCI was giving his team suitcases of cash to bribe officials and the military just to allow them to do their job. Stories of being pulled over at gunpoint, negotiating with military people and being able to talk through the process of a bribe was something he always maintained was part of the day-to-day survival game they played.

[theoh]

Being schizophrenic does not mean that the brain/mind is "AWOL". Schizophrenics endure experience like the rest of us. The idea that the insane have "no mind" is an old-fashioned, dehumanizing idea which should not be tolerated even on HN where everyone is of course young, healthy and overconfident. (!)

[taneq]

I was thinking about this just the other day, the term "demented" literally means "with mind removed".

[elbrownos]

Actually it means "out of one's mind"

[k-mcgrady]

>> "Just because he's paranoid schizophrenic"

Was this confirmed somewhere? I can't find any evidence with a quick search and I saw some of his interviews during the presidential campaign (he was running from the libertarian nomination I think) and he seemed ok.

[mc32]

I think a lot of that stems from his reported behavior in Belize. I think it was reported he was high on something on the occasions of some of his reportedly bizarre behavior. From my recollection.

[k-mcgrady]

Yeah that's my recollection as well. I presume the parent has something to back up the claim though as it's not a term you throw around lightly.

[sithadmin]

Based on what I've heard from colleagues that have spent extensive amounts of time in Central America, it's 100% spot-on.

[Teever]

Is McAfee that unstable?

Like I understand that he has done a lot of crazy drug addled things but I don't think that necessarily means that he is stupid or insane.

[celticninja]

I agree. Alexander Shulgin did far more than McAfee and i dont think anyone would question his sanity.

[wavefunction]

Sasha was a responsible scientist with a stable life.

McAfee is someone who kept a minor girlfriend, fled Belize after being implicated in the murder of his neighbor and spent most of his time down there booty bumping bath salts.

For some perspective.

[zensavona]

> spent most of his time down there booty bumping bath salts

source?

Having lived in Cambodia (nowhere near as dangerous as Belize, but probably just as corrupt), being implicated with a crime you didn't commit isn't the most far fetched thing.

[celticninja]

And you got all this info on McAfee from Vice magazine or similar publications.

[brianwawok]

I mean, this is advice about doing something crazy. We aren't asking him for tax advice ;)

[zanny]

He seems pretty smart. I'd want a second opinion, but I wouldn't mind the help!

[mc32]

Well, going to these places is by the nature of them, risky for non locals. Knowing what works, how locals operate helps. Don't overplay your hand, don't insult (even unintentionally, it can cause affront). I think it helped that he seems to be very situationally aware. It's not going to work well, if you're green at it. Like many things, it probably takes luck and practice and interpersonal skills.

[cm2187]

Thanks. This guide is absolutely hilarious!

[blackholesRhot]

I just responded on the Medium link but here's another short Kazakhstan bribe story:

I once took the train from Urumqi to Almaty. After touring around Kazakhstan for a week or so I went to the airport to fly to Baku. When I walked into the airport two police officers told me to follow them. They took me to a small room. They kept asking me “would you like any tea?” And I kept responding “no thanks, I really need to catch my flight.” They asked at least five times and then started using variants like “would you like coffee?” I ignorantly kept replying, “I’m really sorry. I appreciate the offer but I need to catch my flight.” After ten minutes or so they got frustrated and told me that I’m a stupid American and to leave and catch my flight. It clicked after sharing the story w/ some Kazakh folks that they were asking for a bribe. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Oops.

[rangibaby]

Poor is better, because then you aren't worth their time. Why bother with the small fries when they are plenty of big fish out there?

When I was younger and traveling in China alone, I fell for one of the "tea house" scams common in the bigger cities. The leader of the heavies sent to intimidate me was somewhat nicer when he figured out that I didn't have much money or a credit card and wasn't lying about it.

He gave me some life advice: "don't go anywhere with a stranger" then took ¥10,000 (about 300 in Chinese money) and sent me on my way. It was pretty surreal.