Vendors - Blogabond

Beijing, China

There are street vendors everywhere. You can buy hair accessories, chipmunks, socks, stationary, kites, underwear, rabbits, fans, roasted sweet potatoes [yum!], counterfeit receipts, quilts and so much more as you walk along the sidewalks of this city.

Today I passed a sliced melon vendor. He was three feet tall and a force to be reckoned with - a Chinese Billy Mays Mini-Me. Even the locals were looking & smiling as he singled out my big nose in the passing throng for extra adjectives of enticement.

I passed.

[Something about Beijing smog all through the air & Beijing grime on all surfaces, including people, make most sidewalk foods unappetizing.]

written by

prrrrl on August 30, 2009 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: China 2009

tagged Food and Vendors

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Beijing, China

I was once surrounded by a dozen water vendors. The ones that pressed in close were animated and loud, waving the bottles in our faces. The ones at the back were quiet. I chose a vender at the back. Succumbing to the pushy tactics breeds more pushiness. It's like rewarding a puppy when they are well behaved rather than punishing them when they are naughty. On a similar note, I like to find the shop that is out of the way and not on the main drag. Those back shops appreciate their customers, are friendlier and tend to give better prices.

Yesterday I learned there was a wholesale tea market. How did I not already know that?? Even with a time crunch of having to get my buddy to the airport, I made a side trip to the tea market. The shop I selected was the last one behind down a short alley and not even visable from the street. The two women were very friendly and poured me lots of tea. I bought $100 worth of tea! It's enough to last me a while, though. It's definitely a neighborhood & shop I'll be returning to.

written by

prrrrl on September 25, 2013 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Liaoning, 2013

tagged Tea, Wholesale, Vendors, Friendly, Pushy and Reward

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Mini Huskster

Beijing, China

I'll take the one at the back, please.

Beijing, China

Heading South?