I'm still here in Beijing! Today we left at 9:15 in the a.m. and went on a walking tour of Beijing! We didn't get back home until 6:30! I was tired but it was so amazing to see how the people live. The people in the markets are very persistent. If you even make eye contact with one of the sales people, they start asking what you like! I'd like to share a sample of what it's like to dicker with a Chinese person
CP (Chinese person) "Lady, Lady, you like?"
Me (Connie) "No, I'm just looking!"
CP "How many?" You want 4?"
Me "I'm just looking for now!"
CP "This is pretty, yes?"
Me "Yes, it's pretty. How much is it?"
CP (Pulling out her calculator watch and punches in 60) "Today, it's 60!"
Me "No, that's too expensive" (I start running away)
CP (Grabs my arm) I give to you for 40.
Me " NO, still too expensive" ( turn to sprint away)
CP "Lady, how much, how much you pay?"
Me "15"
CP "No, No, too cheap!" (flips me the bird)
Me (running away and politely waving her away as she hurries after me)
CP "OK, Lady 15"
Me "OK, I'll take 3"
The numbers represent RMB. 10 RMB is equal to $1.50. Yeah, I'm still a cheapskate.
Good night or should I say, good day!
CP (Chinese person) "Lady, Lady, you like?"
Me (Connie) "No, I'm just looking!"
CP "How many?" You want 4?"
Me "I'm just looking for now!"
CP "This is pretty, yes?"
Me "Yes, it's pretty. How much is it?"
CP (Pulling out her calculator watch and punches in 60) "Today, it's 60!"
Me "No, that's too expensive" (I start running away)
CP (Grabs my arm) I give to you for 40.
Me " NO, still too expensive" ( turn to sprint away)
CP "Lady, how much, how much you pay?"
Me "15"
CP "No, No, too cheap!" (flips me the bird)
Me (running away and politely waving her away as she hurries after me)
CP "OK, Lady 15"
Me "OK, I'll take 3"
The numbers represent RMB. 10 RMB is equal to $1.50. Yeah, I'm still a cheapskate.
Good night or should I say, good day!
What a bargain hunter you always are! LOL
ReplyDeleteJust remember to keep being a cheapskate. They wouldn't sell it if they weren't making money.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun memories!
Good for you!
ReplyDeleteToo funny...and I could picture it all. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
ReplyDeleteWow, you're doing birdwatching there, eh?
ReplyDeleteBuy me one of whatever you got.
i couldn't do it. i couldn't go there. i'm a sucker and they see me & my "sucker" billboard advertisement on my head from miles around!!! it would be bad. i'd wind up stuck there, working in their shops caused i'd have had no idea what was going on. it'd all happen too fast for me i tell ya. =)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!
ReplyDeletePut on that brave face in spite of being flipped off!
Hilarious. WHat did you buy 3 of?
You need to post a picture of some little Chinese person standing next to you!
Connie,
ReplyDeleteI have gone through those exact scenarios when we went to Mexico. It sounds like they are just as persistent in China as they were down where we were in Mexico.
I'm SO glad you are having a great time, albeit, it is tiring because there is so much to see and not enough time. At least it's summer time and you can come back from your trip and have a few days to rest and catch up from all of the never ending walking/traveling you are doing on your trip.
I just made up your Blender whole wheat pancakes for lunch today and my family LOVED them. I can't believe how yummy they are and they don't even have buttermilk, real milk, or butter in them.
My hubby was very impressed with this recipe and is excited to have a recipe that can use our buckets and buckets of wheat we have in our food storage without having to soak it or grind it.
Miss you and I agree with Tauna...you need to post a photo of you standing next to a Chinese person and YES, what did you buy "3" of?
Have another week of FUN and take in and enjoy each moment you are there!
Sounds like your on a fun adventure.
ReplyDeleteI cave quickly in those situations and always pay way too much--that's why Allan does it all for me ; )
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great time.
Sounds like you're having a blast and stocking up on stuff to bring home too :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a hilarious story!!! LOL!! Glad you are having a good time!
ReplyDeleteI could just close my eyes and see the whole thing in living color! You are so funny!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I love a great bargain! How fun for you to be there. We are suppose to be living in Hong Kong right now for a three year assignment except I blew it when I broke my back... Enjoy it for us!:)
ReplyDeleteHahah. Apparently you weren't cheap about it if she wanted you to buy it that badly for that little money! Well done, bargain shopper!!
ReplyDelete