I'll say this: It seems to be universal that in tourist traps the tourists are totally relied upon for the income of the community and totally held in contempt. It's that way here, and probably everywhere else too.
Agree 100%.
Tourists, especially un-travelled American tourists, need to beware. If you haven't lived or even travelled through a large US city or a turd-world shithole, you have no idea who's preying on you and how.