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My frame of mind when I'm travelling in the poorer places of SEA/India etc, is I know a dollar or two will go astray every so often, through a bit of a scam or a little rip off. To me, it's my happiness insurance, knowing that ultimately the money will hopefully feed someone in a very poor country and makes for stress free travel. Often I enjoy the sport of matching my wits with the conman, but if I lose the odd dollar, I’ve either had more than that amount in entertainment or I just put it down to experience.
I paid my couple of extra dollars at the Laos border without bother, I was just happy to get through without any hassles and start enjoying their wonderful country.