Comments on: On the Bargain Road http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/ Language and Culture of the Chinese-speaking world Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:03:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Olfe http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Mike Olfe Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:57:59 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/chinese/?p=16#comment-38 There's a funny article on shopping and bargaining in Shanghai in the current New Yorker. The abstract is at http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_marx There’s a funny article on shopping and bargaining in Shanghai in the current New Yorker. The abstract is at http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_marx

]]> By: Ellie http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Ellie Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:34:25 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/chinese/?p=16#comment-37 This blog brings back memories of my stay in Beijing and my bargaining skills going from "being uncomfortable to ask for a lower price" to "being addicted to bargaining and trying to use it any possible place, even outside China". Even to this day I sometimes try to get discounts, even if they seem minor, for things like clothes that might have a tiny stain that can easily be washed out. I don't think I've heard this story with Wang laoshi. She is a very funny person and good teacher. I miss her. This blog brings back memories of my stay in Beijing and my bargaining skills going from “being uncomfortable to ask for a lower price” to “being addicted to bargaining and trying to use it any possible place, even outside China”. Even to this day I sometimes try to get discounts, even if they seem minor, for things like clothes that might have a tiny stain that can easily be washed out.
I don’t think I’ve heard this story with Wang laoshi. She is a very funny person and good teacher. I miss her.

]]> By: Mike Olfe http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Mike Olfe Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:58:37 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/chinese/?p=16#comment-36 And there's that great phrase, used when the vendor is asking too much: 狮子大开口 Lion opening its mouth wide And there’s that great phrase, used when the vendor is asking too much:

狮子大开口

Lion opening its mouth wide

]]> By: Anna http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Anna Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:29:22 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/chinese/?p=16#comment-35 I lived in Hong Kong as a teenager and then for a few years in the Middle East. Recently my Chinese friend proclaimed that I bargain like a true Chinese when she saw me get a discount at an electronic chain store in Sweden. The natives were quite horrified, though. :) I lived in Hong Kong as a teenager and then for a few years in the Middle East. Recently my Chinese friend proclaimed that I bargain like a true Chinese when she saw me get a discount at an electronic chain store in Sweden. The natives were quite horrified, though. :)

]]> By: Gary http://www.transparent.com/chinese/bargaining-in-china-haggling-technique/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Gary Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:19:52 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/chinese/?p=16#comment-34 I recently accompanied a Chinese acquaintance into a new car dealership here in the US and witnessed a most masterful display of bargaining. I suggested that he might profit by putting himself out for hire, or at the very least go with me next time I have to make a major purchase. My first purchase on my first trip to SE Asia (Viet Nam) was several T-shirts from a street vendor. The price was so ridiculously cheap that it never crossed my mind to bargain. My host family, however, was quite annoyed with me for not even having made the attempt. I recently accompanied a Chinese acquaintance into a new car dealership here in the US and witnessed a most masterful display of bargaining. I suggested that he might profit by putting himself out for hire, or at the very least go with me next time I have to make a major purchase.

My first purchase on my first trip to SE Asia (Viet Nam) was several T-shirts from a street vendor. The price was so ridiculously cheap that it never crossed my mind to bargain. My host family, however, was quite annoyed with me for not even having made the attempt.

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