| It's that time again when we think of our next holiday | | | | questions you can think of. And then, once you get |
| destination and consider various countries and cultures | | | | involved in the conversation, they will start offering their |
| for our long awaited summer holiday. We picture | | | | goods. They will maintain eye contact to see your |
| ourselves on that sunlit beach with a book in our hand, | | | | reactions and their pricing will very much depend on |
| doing absolutely nothing but unwinding and taking it all in. | | | | which country you come from or which hotel you are |
| Beach, sun, sand, a cooling dip in the sparkling blue | | | | staying at on your holiday in their country. |
| sea.... Do you ever feel that it can sometimes perhaps | | | | Needless to say, for a beginner in a foreign market, |
| get too much? Well, this is a perfect time to hit the | | | | this can sometimes be a rather intimidating experience. |
| town and explore. | | | | So how do you shop in foreign markets and bazaars? |
| When on holidays in Turkey, Morocco or Egypt, we | | | | Here are a few useful points to remember. |
| are bound to discover something new every day as | | | | 1. Always look around and compare the prices before |
| the local life is full of surprises. Women weaving | | | | you buy. |
| carpets on the side roads, street sellers offering fruits, | | | | 2. If you are not interested in the goods offered, be |
| vegetables, antiques, families enjoying al fresco | | | | firm but polite when saying 'No, thank you'. |
| lunches, men smoking water pipes and playing | | | | 3. Knowing the basics of the language of your holiday |
| backgammon... and of course, the colourful street | | | | destination will always help, especially if you want to |
| markets. You can find everything there from local | | | | move from stall to stall faster. |
| handicrafts to silk cushions, textile and leatherwear, | | | | 4. If you are just browsing and not interested in buying |
| wallets, belts, accessories, carpets, silver and gold | | | | anything, keep avoiding the eye contact with the |
| jewellery, bracelets, rings and locally produced | | | | salesmen |
| delicacies as well as loads of souvenirs. | | | | 5. Once you have found the items you want to buy, |
| Losing yourself in the market for a day is simply the | | | | start a conversation with a smile |
| best cultural experience you can ever imagine in any | | | | 6. Always ask about the lowest or the 'minimum' price. |
| foreign country. Each country has its specifics when it | | | | If it seems too high, try to bargain it down |
| comes to goods offered and the personal style of | | | | 7. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to enter into haggling |
| salesmen trying to sell them. On holidays in Spain or | | | | with the salesmen. They expect it and they like to sell |
| Greece, you will find that the sales people are more | | | | to clever buyers. It's their culture! |
| patient and generally let you browse through the items | | | | 8. If you like the item and the price is acceptable, |
| on offer until you have made your choice. Of course, | | | | always try to meet the salesman half way through. Do |
| they are most helpful if you ask them for advice, but | | | | not offend them by asking unrealistic prices or |
| they will not insist on purchase if you have not made | | | | bargaining them too low. Don't forget, this is their |
| your final decision. Prices are usually fixed, but you can | | | | business and they are also trying to make the living out |
| always negotiate, especially if your purchase is larger. | | | | of it. |
| In oriental markets, especially in Turkey, Morocco, | | | | 9. Once you have made your purchase, shake hands |
| Egypt, Tunisia and Arabic countries, the story is a bit | | | | with the salesman. It is also customary for the |
| different. Selling and buying is an art which takes a | | | | salesman to offer you tea and it is polite to accept. |
| few lessons to master. First of all, if you expect a quiet | | | | 10. Always be positive, smile and look at your shopping |
| walk and browse, forget it! Prepare yourself to be | | | | and haggling at the market as a fun experience. That |
| approached at every stall, the salesmen will want to | | | | way you will always be more successful at achieving |
| talk to you about everything and anything, they will try | | | | the right prices and finding the right bargains to take |
| to even speak your language. They will ask about your | | | | home. |
| nationality, country, family and any most direct | | | | |