tout (tout)

v., tout·ed, tout·ing, touts.

v.intr.

1. To solicit customers, votes, or patronage, especially in a brazen way.
2. To obtain and deal in information on racehorses.

v.tr.

1. To solicit or importune: street vendors who were touting pedestrians.
2. Chiefly British. To obtain or sell information on (a racehorse or stable) for the guidance of bettors.
3. To promote or praise energetically; publicize: “For every study touting the benefits of hormone therapy, another warns of the risks” (Yanick Rice Lamb).

n.

1. Chiefly British. One who obtains information on racehorses and their prospects and sells it to bettors.
2. One who solicits customers brazenly or persistently: “The administration of the nation’s literary affairs falls naturally into the hands of touts and thieves” (Lewis H. Lapham).
3. Chiefly Scots and Irish Slang. One who informs against others; an informer.

[Middle English tuten, to peer.] from answers.com

Tout: Hello, what country are you from?

Stevo: Iceland.

Tout: Really? Beautiful country. Guilin is also beautiful, the most beautiful city in China. Do you know why? All the trees. It is very green here. Everything that grows in Guilin is very healthy. Do you know why? There are no factories in Guilin.

Stevo: What about the rubber factory?

Tout: That’s right, no factories. There is a very special tea in Guilin. It will make you very thin, and very healthy, and very beautiful. Do you want to drink some tea? There is a tea house 10 meters from here.

Stevo: No thanks.

Tout: Do you like to drink Chinese tea.

Stevo: No. I like coffee.

Tout: Ohhh. Most Chinese drink tea. Do you like Chinese paintings?

Stevo: No.

Tout: There is a big art gallery 10 meters from here. I have a painting in it. Do you want to see my painting? Maybe you could buy it?

Stevo: Maybe tomorrow, I have to see the dentist.

Tout: It’s right here, only 10 meters away…

Stevo: My bicuspid is broken; I have to see the dentist.

Tout: Wait, wait, 10 meters ….

Stevo: (thinks of the Iceland comment and snickers as he walks back to his hostel).