How do they know we're tourists?

, originally uploaded by sazztastical.

Oh my god we are getting fleeced left right and centre at the minute. LOL we are trying so hard to not look like tourists but I don't know whether it's the map in hand, the Time Out city guide or the lack of communication skills, but somehow the Shanghai locals are figuring us out and they will not leave us alone.

Every second step we get someone showing us pictures of "nice Rowlex, puma, trainers, bags ladies?" It seems that although everyone understands no thanks, it doesn't actually matter as when they do eventually leave you alone, someone else will come along and ask the same question. We're trying not to be rude and let the side down but it is getting increasingly difficult.

Now this girl - and loads more like her are just out to get as much as they can from us and they aren't doing too bad but we're getting real good at this haggling thing. This one started off asking us for 100 Yuan for 2. Hmmmmm didn't seem like a bad deal until we remembered that the night before we'd been offered the same thing for 1 Yuan. So I asked her and she was laughing and then offered me 1 for 50. Getting closer. I then said to her 10 for 10 at which point she laughed but agreed. As I'm getting the money out of the bag Beth heard what was going on and said "Do we need 10? Surely five would be enough?" :)

Funnily enough the girl who's English up until that point wasn't great, certainly understood that bit and agreed that five was enough - as long as we still paid 10 Yuan for them :)

It has to be said that we didn't really need 10 anyway even if they do smell really nice :)

Stay tuned for the next fleecing episode - it's already happened I just need to tell you about it ....