Posted by Paul on Friday, 19. February 1999 at 13:48 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Haggling ability and bag colour posted by brad on Friday, 19. February 1999 at 06:22 Bali Time:
You guys are all spot on, like all the Bali Urban myths, this is total and utter rubbish (the coloured bags that is)
White skin and lack of tan has nothing to do with it either. The simple fact of the mater is that the Balinese and Javanese can pick a wood duck as most retailers can in any country.
I have been to bali many many times and 8 times in the last 13 months.
The rare time I hit the street to buy anything (usually an hour before flying out getting gifts for the kids) They can tell whether or not you have xperience in their country and the haggling process.
I get off the plane lily white yet if you speak a little Bahasa and talk with confidence in what you are doing you will find the haggling process, although still a game but the end result is reached very quickly.