"Mark A" wrote in message news:<9k99b.57$QG5.54882@news.uswest.net>...
> > Excellent. I can kill two birds with one stone. Exactly the info I was
> > looking for! As for bargaining, my best Thai language skills come out
> > when bargaining :). I am so-so in general conversation, but do pretty
> > well with shopping/bargaining talk (which then leads the seller to
> > turn the subject when the deal is done, thinking I can actually
> > *speak* Thai well!).
> >
> Bargaining is not a verbal skill. It involves being prepared to walk out if
> the price is too high (with an eye looking over your shoulder to see if they
> will to lower the price). Never let them think you are dead set on buying a
> particular item (this advice applies to buying a car in the US also).
Um, thanks. I do ok. It simply helps to speak the local language :). I
have been with people who ask a price in English and it's often higher
than when I ask the same question in Thai. My *problem* is *after*
the deal, when they want to start conversing in Thai about something
other than the product at hand, and for that, my language skills are
still limited.
FWIW I bargain differently in Thailand than I do in Kenya or Mexico -
different rules in each place. Also helps to live in a place long
enough to know how much things are worth. In Thailand alone I bargain
differently depending upon where I am - eg Patpong/Silom vs Chatuchak
vs. border market in Mae Sot. Different rules and expectations based
on the typical customer base. |