Have you ever paid a bribe?

[bof]

This BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23231318 has a list of what percentage of people have paid a bribe in the last year in different countries. It indicates 5% in the UK. That really seems high to me - unless you count the Christmas tip to the dustmen as one, I have never paid, nor been asked for a bribe in this country.

Have you paid one, or at least been asked?

 

[marzjennings]

Not in the last year, but two years ago at Heathrow this twunk at Hertz asked for a bribe so I could get the car I booked after waiting an hour. He whispered that a hundred would help the situation, I asked very loudly back was he really asking for a bribe. Never seen a middle manager move so fast from the back office.

Other times, no bribes, just facilitation payments.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Been offered, had to turn them down though, someone might find out!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

[QUOTE 2540740, member: 259"]Oh, and a bout 50 quid in Gibraltar instead of having my car towed away by a very tall looking British Bobby.[/quote]

Don't they let monkeys eat your car and they throw you off a cliff if you park it in the wrong place in Gibraltar?

 

[fossyant]

Don't they let monkeys eat your car and they throw you off a cliff if you park it in the wrong place in Gibraltar?

Nah Monkeys have the day off on Sunday.

 

[Doseone]

Never in this country, but plenty when abroad where baksheesh is a way of life. In my limited experience certain African countries and India were the worst for it.

 

[Primal Scream]

Depends what you mean by a bribe, never cash but plenty of clients have had lots of

Golf, meals, football and rugby matches, go karting, clay pigeon shooting, west end nights out, etc etc

 

[snailracer]

On occasion, I pay a bribe to that notable brigand, the Mayor of London, so I can bypass his roadblocks and drive into central London.

 

[PK99]

I haven't, but a friend in the pest control industry regularly used to take briefcases of cash to southern Spain, and in the Middle East used to be told to "Invoice my company 20% more than your price and remit to XXXX bank account" Without that, there would have been no sale.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Yes, to 'correct an entry permit' in my visa so I could leave Indonesia.

 

[Tim Hall]

Haven't paid one, but was relieved of 30 dollars by a Ukrainian customs man when flying out of Odessa.

"Caviar?"

"Yes"

"Silk paintings?"

"Yes"

"Dollars?"

"Yes"

Seamless funds transfer from my wallet to his pocket.

 

[swee'pea99]

A friend of mine's boss used to do a lot of business with highly-placed people in Nigeria, such business having always been facilitated by liberal backhanders. Then there was a coup, with the incoming generals sworn to do away with the country's long-established and deep-rooted culture of corruption. The question very soon became, were they actually for real? Should you or shouldn't you start bribing the new lot? Would they be offended if you did? (Or were they even now seething with resentment that you hadn't?) It was a real problem.

 

[Markymark]

Spare a thought for actual wealthy Nigerians whenever they send a genuine email.

 

[tyred]

No but I would be happy to accept one - post cash only to me at .....

 

[Fnaar]

Never been offered, that I can remember, though plenty of people rely on my judgement of their efforts to get particular advances in their careers. I've never asked for one either. Neither have I ever given one, unless you count 20 quid to the window cleaner to climb onto the roof to fix the TV aerial.