Penniless in Pushkar

I never knew I had it in me but when it comes to bargaining in India the HK-bred haggling bi-atch takes over! I completely agree with the notion of a progressive tourist tax but when the starting price is 500% the local domestic price, you don't wanna be taken for a fool! I've managed to get most things for a little over half the first quoted price, pissing quite a few of the vendors off. Oh well, boo-hoo. It's actually a really tedious affair- trying not to get super-ripped off with everything you do. Anna and I even bargained with the yoga instructor who we suspect is a bit dodge... In the middle of a lesson, a girl came up looking for the instructor and exclaimed "You're not Yogis Yogi!!". Hmm....

Anyhoo, some things we have learnt about bargaining-
1. Offer them half of what they ask for and go up by silly incremental amounts.
2. If buying quite a few things, offer them a price and if they don't accept, pretend you'll only get a couple of the things from the bundle..
3. Flirting works sometimes but you don't wanna get the little Indian men too excited. Don't want any red-rocket action...
4. When they say "no no that price is not possible", you reply: "Anything is possible in India!".

LOve to all,
Moi.