Tai Gui Le

(Yi Jiao - the equivalent of a penny)

This is Chinese for "Too expensive!", and I utter these words at least 3 times a day, not because things are actually expensive but because it is the norm in China to be overcharged. The general procedure when going shopping is as follows...1. Go to a "store".  A store may be a small booth or room crammed full of items with seemingly no organization or thought behind placement, things are stacked from the floor to the ceiling, there are the most bizarre and random items for sale, and most of it is poor quality. This can be tiresome or amazing depending on the amount of time you have to look.  2. Try to find (almost always unsuccessfully) the item you need. 3. Ask the salesperson for what you need.  This usually involves translating via a friend or iPhone.  They always laugh when you get out the iPhone (a very expensive item in China) and then bargain with them. 4. Ask the salesperson how much the item costs. 5. Start the bargaining process. Bargaining is a way of life and a true art form which takes time and patience to master. In February, I was a complete amateur bargainer. I was desperate for things - like a space heater, a toboggan, gloves - and I could not speak the language. This combo led to paying top dollar without question. The other part of the equation is that top dollar is only a few US dollars so it is easy to believe you are getting a good deal. The fact is...
You are getting ridiculously, unbelievably, royally ripped off.
It is very common for locals to ask- how much did you pay for that? Then laugh and tell you how badly you were taken to the cleaners.  After a few weeks (once my survival needs had been met), I got pretty angry about being ripped off and decided I would not take it any more. I went from no argument whatsoever to.... well, the complete opposite. No one was going to take advantage of me! A common strategy in bargaining is walking away. This works like a charm, when used correctly. My issue was timing. They would give a price, and I would scoff, throw out a ridiculously low offer, and when they  declined I would walk away. I would walk slowly, thinking they would see the light and call me back. Wrong. I would glance back to see if they were thinking about my offer. They weren't. 
After about 3 months here, I am finally getting the hang of it. It is a game which can be great fun once you learn to play. I am still studying the art of bargaining. I have much to learn, but I can at least enjoy the learning process now. I realized it is a way of life, not a personal attack. And it is all a part of adapting to and living in China.

Common bargaining lingo...
Pian Yi- cheaper
Da zhe- discount 
No money- A typical response to my offer, meaning my offer is so low it equates to a loss 
Lady- what I am called as I walk away, as in "Lady, lady come back. 20 for you."
Tai gui le- too expensive
Duo shao qian? - How much does it cost?