Bargainer's Art

My student, Dylan Scandlyn, taught at the Oxford Academy for a few weeks. As an East Tennesseen, Dylan is not a great believer in bargaining. But Chinese business is all about negotiation. On his final day in China, Dylan found a wall hanging he liked near the Kongzi Academy. The vendor wanted 280 yuan for it. Dylan is very
polite. "That's OK," he said, "It's nice but I don't have the money." He started walking away. The merchant called him back. Asked how much Dylan would give for it. Very politely, Dylan said he could pay 100. The man laughed. I thought Dylan should maybe offer 150, but Dylan said no; 100 was all he could pay. Several times, he attempted to walk away, but the shop owner always called him back, and they eventually let him have the hanging for 100. I don't even think he was even trying to bargain. But he's a natural at it. Probably even as good as many Chinese.

Photos: Dylan's feat as a bargainer; a gilded tree by the Kongzi Academy.