When traveling to less-developed countries than the United States, many people are surprised by how cheap a lot of countries are to travel and buy goods. There truly is cheap stuff to buy in these places, relatively speaking. But in more touristy areas, travels are struck by how on par with U.S. prices some of these places are. This is where a person’s bargaining skills can come in handy. It is a ritual in some locations, and if you don’t bargain, it is considered an insult. Other countries allow bargaining but it may be less pervasive than in other parts of the world.
Because people who sell goods to tourists know how to spot a naive traveling in about a second and will try to take advantage of them as much as possible, it’s important not to let on that you may not know the particular customs or traditions of the location. Even if the color of your skin gives away the fact that you’re not from the place you are traveling to, you don’t have to let your bargaining skills reinforce that. Instead, practice bargaining with your friends and family before you go. This can prepare you for the sometimes tense negotiations that will undoubtedly ensue if you are trying to buy something, especially from a street vendor.
To get really cheap stuff, you’ll have to combine a little quick thinking with tact and suave and finish it off with a take-no-prisoners attitude. Of course you will not want to be offensive, but if the price begins to reach heights that you are not comfortable with, simply put your foot down and begin to walk away. More often than not, the vendor will drop the price and a deal will be made. This is how many people get cheap stuff while traveling.
If getting cheap stuff by bargaining is not enough, you might also want to use your new bargaining skills to get cheaper taxi rides. In some countries, when a taxi stops, you settle the price before you get in once you have established where you wish to go. You can bargain from there. Taxi drivers will usually inflate the price quite a bit if they see that you are a tourist. So, it’s best to get an idea of how much taxi rides are so you don’t get taken advantage of. That way you can have the peace of mind that you aren’t paying too much while on your trip.
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Third-World Bargaining…
When traveling to less-developed countries than the United States, many people are surprised by how cheap a lot of countries are to travel and buy goods. There…
Third-World Bargaining…
When traveling to less-developed countries than the United States, many people are surprised by how cheap a lot of countries are to travel and buy goods. There…