baksheesh

Donkey-boys and arabeah-men aren't easily seduced when there's a question of baksheesh.

It put an end to baksheesh—graft as you call it—in Thebes, and it would be valuable to-day in Cairo, I should think.

The next best thing to do is to forget the wish, pay two-pence in baksheesh and ride away to get the most of a glorious view.

In common with the rest of the world I had heard of baksheesh, but until then I never understood its magic power.