In Reply to: The color coded shopping bag ??? posted by carwise on Sunday, 18. July 2004 at 19:31 Bali Time:
Don't listen to these tourists! Listen to someone who knows! NEVER carry a red plastic shopping bag! The signal to all other sellers is, "sucker" and they will triple the asking price when you ask for a price at their stall while you are carrying that trophy of ignorance.
It's much better to do what the Balinese do when they shop. They pin their money on them, on their shirts, with safety pins. What? Never seen this? WHERE have you been shopping? The tourists trap markets?
Oh yes, this is true. At real Balinese markets, the Balinese pin their money...all they are willing to spend anyway, on the front of their shirt or blouse. In that way, when they bargain, the seller can see that they can in fact pay. It makes the whole bargaining experience so much more exciting and rich. Imagine say Donald Trump showing up at the Ubud Market covered in $100 dollar bills! The only question would be...are they series 1996?
Ya, just joking. Do what most experienced shoppers do. Carry a nice baggy cloth bag, and dump your previous purchases in it, and enjoy your holiday.