In Reply to: different strokes.. posted by keviin on Monday, 24. November 2008 at 08:49 Bali Time:
Kevin. Excellent way of putting things.
The whole shopping thing gets to be more of a game than an intimidating experience that I remember I felt upon our first visit. We still do enjoy the shopping experience at the markets but we just treat the whole process as friendly banter between us and the locals. They can tell that we know how the whole game is played. And the best part of it is that when all deals are said and done, whether you buy anything or not, you can chat with the shopkeepers about their families and lives - no expectations. Something you deinaltely can't do in Thailand - once they know they are not going to get anything out of you they don't want to know you!