|
(Pictured above, Rickshaws for rent…now pulled by peddle power. This means of public transportation is everywhere in China's cities) It comes with the territory. You see it everywhere. Many get used to it…and others never do. Street hawkers abound. There is no place a tourist can walk without being hounded by someone selling something. I am reluctant to list all the things you can buy, but if it's in Beijing or Xian, on the Shanghai river's edge or Bund or on the Great Wall, you can bet your bottom grain of rice there's somebody selling something. The people don't speak English, but they know a few catch phrases like 'good price,' 'bargains,' or 'how much you pay…' And the few rickshaw drivers offer to take you where the bargains are found. The cities are becoming so crowded that rickshaws are hard to find. But don't worry about souvenir salesmen. They'll find you.
(You can find bargains on the street in China) True, there are many well-dressed businessmen and women in China, many fashionable cars, shops, etc. But there are still people who need to augment their income. Selling things on the street seems to work for them. They are always there. but unlike street hawkers in some countries, they are polite and more docile. Perhaps it's a problem of language. Having been there before I was certainly not going to be taken in. Yet, I bought paint brushes, Rolex wrist watches, miniature terra cotta soldiers, cigarette lighters, baseball caps, paper umbrellas, silk ties, jade statues, chopsticks, tea, spices, cookies, purses and even slippers and carvings from a boat tied to our ship.
(Vendors even attached themselves to Arnie's ship in their bid to sell their merchandise) They accost you when you enter your hotel or restaurant or when you come out again, even if you've already purchased something or said "No." Could it be that we all look alike? One day I went for a walk in Xian. As I came out of the hotel, an older lady jumped up carrying a shopping bag. She reached in and pulled out a scarf. I won't go into the whole spiel, but I smiled and walked away. When I returned 20 minutes later, she was there selling statues. I pointed to my face. Suddenly she realized I had just been there. She laughed and walked away. I told my wife about her. She was determined, and I felt a bit sorry for her. She was only trying to make a living, and to her a one dollar sale meant much more than we can imagine. Then, the next morning as we exited the hotel at 8 a.m., she was there again. Her tenacity was just too much. This time she was selling a box of paint- brushes.
(Kites for sale make for a very colorful display on the streets of China) "Three
dollars, three dollars," she repeated as she pushed them into view. I gave her the three dollars and turned away. She had already started accosting someone else. I hope I helped her. I still haven't used the brushes.
(Rolex for sale. Well, not exactly, because this one's a knockoff) Then in Shanghai we were asked for the hundredth time if we wanted a Rolex. Obviously they are knockoffs, but they looked good and there were different colors, designs and bracelets. We started our usual barter. I eventually bought four for $10 US. The one I bought my wife was lost after a few days. The clasp had opened. So, being the big spender that I am, I went out and bought her another one. "Is there a guarantee?" I asked. "Yes," he replied. "One day. If it not work, you come back." I've
been home now for five months. My Rolex still keeps perfect time. I wear it all
the time. I gave one of the others to a young boy who works in my bank. One day
I walked up behind him and whispered, "What time is it?"
(Chinese merchants follow a ship in their small "boat," hoping to make some sales. Perhaps they have Rolex watches, too?) On our boat cruise along the Li River two young men in a long, narrow, makeshift raft paddled out to our boat in mid-stream, tied themselves to our hull and proceeded to sell carvings. They did a brisk business. Another money-maker is selling group pictures. Someone at a tourist site greets you with a beautiful colored picture book of the site. It always sounds like a nice souvenir, so we gather as a group and take a remembrance photo. I came home with one on Tien An Min Square, one in Xian with the Terra Cotta Warriors and the man they say unearthed the first one many years ago. We took one on the Li River cruise and another in Hong Kong. They turned out to be worth the price. The picture books are wonderful and a group picture is a worthwhile souvenir. I now have eight in my collection. China
is bustling and dynamic. It is growing faster that one can imagine, but selling
some knock off on the street still affords certain Chinese people a chance to
augment their measly income. I just checked my trusty $2 Rolex. It gives me the correct time, reminding me to end my story... HAPPY
SHOPPING!! (Click
below for more travel).
| ||
 |
