One thing that will not be turned down in any city USA and most places abroad is the US dollar.
I have lost count of how many times I’ve used a twenty to get a prime
holding spot for our vehicles, a specific table in a restaurant etc.
In Liberia, where the avg weekly income is less than $2 a day, waving a $20 bill can feed a man’s family for a month.
I was at a special ceremony with a protecee and went to my drivers (liberians) and handed them $20 to get dinner for the two of them. I asked if that was enough. He replied, “Mr Eric this will feed our families for the month”. I told him to keep the change. He was indebted to me for the entire trip.
The problem arises when he can’t keep his mouth shut and now you have everyone in his friend and family sphere asking to do you favors cause they know you’re doling out cash. Now operational and personal security (OPSEC/PERSEC) has been compromised. Be careful.
Normally at the end of these trips we “bump” (tip) the drivers and any local assets we’ve used. Every time we come in town they call to get on the team in one fashion or another. The power of the international AMEX is a double edged sword. It can be an asset but it can also burden your a$$.
What stories do you all have about using cash for favors?