Shopping in China

Saturday June 3, 2010

I’m back! I realize now that a lot of time has passed since my last blog post. What did I do during all that time? Our last free day in Beijing was scheduled as a free study day. During previous study days I visited tombs, museums, temples and landmarks. During this final day, I shopped.
My husband assures me that this is an important topic (Seriously, he said so! This is probably because he loves to track where every last dime goes.) so I thought I’d take some time to talk about shopping in China. Shopping was one of the most fun and, at the same time, aggravating aspects of the trip.
On the positive side: we all got some incredible deals and wonderful gifts for our families and friends. I bought posters, sculpture, ink and brushes and a chop (stone stamp) with which I can sign my name with Chinese characters. I can’t wait until the time comes to use these new treasures in the classroom. When we talk about the Terra Cotta warriors, I have the perfect visual aid. I was able to purchase a set of miniature warriors that only cost me $2.94. On the negative side: someone else bought the same set for $22.05. And still another person bought the same set for $2.20. This is the aggravating part of the shopping scene. One MUST bargain.
Early on, our guide, Tony, told about us about certain aggressive peddlers. He said, “You decide how much you want to spend. Tell them. If they take your price, good. If not walk on.” This is not the method of haggling I have seen in the past, where you meet in the middle. But it turns out, Tony was right.
Making my way through the Pearl Market was not easy, but it was one of my best shopping experiences in the end. The peddlers there speak pretty good English and they employ every trick I had seen before this final day, plus a few more. “Hey Lady! I give you good price. I give you best price. I give your cheap price. What you want? Just come take a look! Top quality. Hand-made! Real silk!” The constant chatter is deafening and they blocked my way, stepped in front of me and gripped me by the elbow. One lady was so insistent I stopped, turned to her, pointed at my arm said, “No!” and, “Bu Hau!” which means “no good”, before she would let go of me. Finally, I spotted stuffed panda bears.
I had an idea that about $3 would be fair price. Surely it cost them far less than this, but even an aggressive pearl market peddler needs to make a living! So I multiplied 3 by 7 (the number of Yuan to a dollar) then rounded down to 20. I walked up to the lady and said, “How much?” “One hundred,” she said. That’s about $15. The same price I paid for a hand-painted, right-before-my-very-eyes gorgeous bamboo painting. I can get a stuffed animal that size at Meijer for about $5, so I know this is a peddler’s dream price. She’s hoping I just got to China and don’t know what this funny-looking money is worth and will just give her the enormous sum and make her day. But I am too smart for her. I’ve already paid way more than I should have for a few other things so, I follow Tony’s advice and give her my price.
“20 Yuan.” She was insulted and disgusted, “No way, lady. Too cheap. Ninety.” My response, “Twenty. Final offer.” She countered with another price. I don’t remember what it was, because I walked away. As I walked, the price came down. Sixty. Forty.” Then quietly, I hear, “Okay. You price.”
So now, there is a new resident in the Claxon household, a panda bear lovingly named by Oliver Yo Yo. Yo Yo is also the name of the world famous Chinese-American cellist. I love the name. “He goes to bed at 7 p.m., because he’s a baby,” says Oliver.
Though I am back, I plan to write a few more blog posts. The quality of writing should be better, since I have a lot more time and energy now that I am (gratefully) home with my family and sleeping in my own bed.