often easier to blame someone else than to blame themselves for not knowing better.Mary Hatch Bailey wrote:I like the assumption that Expats, are a collective like-minded group that need coddling and that all hawkers and in all markets are dishonest.
And where is the personal responsibility that NorrinRadd alluded to?
That sounds familiar...where have I heard that before??sensei_ wrote:often easier to blame someone else than to blame themselves for not knowing better.Mary Hatch Bailey wrote:I like the assumption that Expats, are a collective like-minded group that need coddling and that all hawkers and in all markets are dishonest.
And where is the personal responsibility that NorrinRadd alluded to?
We're in Asia- it's part of the culture here to haggle. If you go to the local places, prepare to bargain like a local or pay the ang moh tax!BigSis wrote:I do sympathise (kind of) with Travailes - I've had similar happen to me but I did not pay for the items - had a laugh and walked off. Actually OP says they got charged for them but didn't say they paid it - I hope they didn't!
The thing is, with CS, NTUC etc - yes they're more expensive but at least you all get charged the same despite your skin colour, bank balance or maid's employers. I've got friends who've got maids who reckon they were actually asked by market traders who they worked for........presumably if they'd said westerners they would have got charged more. That's the story I heard - haven't a clue if it is true and don't have a maid myself so can't find out.
You just have to be careful when you buy from shops that sell fruits by the weight, especially heavyweights like watermelons, papayas or melons. It would be better to buy them from supermarkets as they normally sell a watermelon for $2+ (try NTUC), and they are usually sweet.Travailes wrote:I've finally had my fill of shopping at these local markets. Trying to be helpful
supporting these local traders - they are all on the rob. Just been charged $18 for a large watermelon and 8 oranges. 'Giant' equivalent (+2 more oranges) $7.45. Had my suspicions for a while - now confirmed. No wonder
Cold Storage is full of expats - it actually seems quite reasonable ! From now on I only shop where a price is displayed and I can make an informed decision. Their loss. Rant over........
I wonder if it's also the culture to start the bidding at way over the starting price than you do for the locals.poodlek wrote:We're in Asia- it's part of the culture here to haggle. If you go to the local places, prepare to bargain like a local or pay the ang moh tax!BigSis wrote:I do sympathise (kind of) with Travailes - I've had similar happen to me but I did not pay for the items - had a laugh and walked off. Actually OP says they got charged for them but didn't say they paid it - I hope they didn't!
The thing is, with CS, NTUC etc - yes they're more expensive but at least you all get charged the same despite your skin colour, bank balance or maid's employers. I've got friends who've got maids who reckon they were actually asked by market traders who they worked for........presumably if they'd said westerners they would have got charged more. That's the story I heard - haven't a clue if it is true and don't have a maid myself so can't find out.
Too bad we can't rent a time machine as I'd love to show you Singapore from back in the day when even all electronics stores (bar one) never had price tags...Travailes wrote:From now on I only shop where a price is displayed and I can make an informed decision. Their loss. Rant over........
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