Sino-business

Chinese tycoons. Infinite numbers of street-vendor Donald Trumps, Richard Bransons and Bill Gates'. The world of Chinese street markets is ruled by the principle of a ruthless rip-off. The price is always surreal and the goods less than genuine. Avoiding a wallet crisis is not impossible though. Taking into account the fact that laying a total embargo on tourist goods rolling into your suitcase is unreal, it is probably a good idea to acquaint oneself with the local business etiquette:
First of all - BUSINESS DOES NOT DO ITSELF. Since the competition is tough and the language barrier even tougher, the only thing left to attract your attention is to use some more unconventional sales methods. Shoving souvenirs down passer-bys' throats or following them (sometimes it turns into a long distance hike...) are among many. The so-called 'broadcasting'- a home-made commercial played over and over through the megaphone - seems to be quite popular too. Those on a tight budget have to resort to a live performance. If any of the above manages to get your attention, there comes an exciting stage of bargaining...
There is one major rule here - a potential customer showing no features particular to the locals falls into the 3*3 category which roughly means TRIPLE PRICE, TRIPLE BARGAINING TIME, TRIPLE AUDIENCE. Thus, one can expect humongous profit margin on not so genuine souvenirs whose purchase will require much more time than doing weekly foodshopping. Local audience is a crucial element too since it is more than willing to take active part in settling prices and working out Chinese numbers.
Bargaining is hard work that requires lots of determination and a bit of cunning. Most of all, expressing delight and excitement is highly inadvisable. Goods should be looked at with overt suspicion, turned and examined for any possible defects. Contemplation and discontent are, on the other hand, very expedient.
All of the above leads to the first unveiling of the price - most often being a surreal one. Now, there are two ways of reacting: one of them is to smile ironically and repeat the price many times with astonishment slowly leaving at the same time. Those less temperamental should stay calm, put the thing away and rush out of the shop. Any of the reactions will definitely lead to the second unveiling of the price - most often making the desired product only a bit cheaper but at the same time giving scope for presenting one's bargaining skills. Saying "tai gui le" (too expensive) combined with proposing a drastically reduced price is the key to success.
It is the most extreme stage when one can expect open agression and even outrage which evaporates with the first step one takes towards other market stalls. This can be repeated many times and often also means familiarising yourself with wider choice of goods offered to you "by the way".
Once you've spent a quarter of an hour (or more) haggling hard, laughing (or being laughed at), patting (or being patted), swearing and chinwagging you're ready to finalise the deal. It is quite simple - if you agree to pay more than half of the original price, you voluntarily get yourself ripped off. It has its advantages like free extras and some more friendly treatment.
Bargaining skills are what you can't travel without around China. Taking into account the fact that you can get a discout even at a grocer's, it might be useful to practice at your local stall beforehand...