Towards the end of Tomas Morato (near the rotunda), about 8 pm, traffic light, so not hard to back out onto street. Approaching the car, I noticed this guy staking out the parked cars in his 'territory'. You could tell he was out to extract a toll out of every one by 'helping' them back out.

As I backed out, he made the usual hand motions. But there was really no need for his 'help', as traffic was light and the gaps long. I drove away without paying. I had no intention of paying, as I neither needed, wanted, or contracted for his 'service'. He screamed something that sounded like 'KURI---!'.

I was tempted to stop and engage, but decided that there are other more important battles to fight.

It's outrageous that some people feel entitled to be paid for helping you to back out and get angry if you don't pay, especially when there is clearly no need for the help. After awhile though, as with many things, the outrage gets replaced by sadness ... at how things have in come to this in Philippines.

So, is there some gesture or signal that one can make to clearly signify: No thank you, I don't need help backing out (and I am not going to be paying you even if you insist on 'helping').