Shopping at local street markets in India can be quite a scary experience. Especially if you are not comfortable with large crowds and aggressive sellers. Street shopping is a great way to get local goods at an affordable price. But you need to know some golden rules of street markets:
1. Bargain: Street markets are popular in India because you tend to get things for cheap. However, shopkeepers always try to fleece tourists into paying more than the actual price tag. One golden rule to follow is to offer 60% of what the seller asks and negotiate from there.
2. Be firm but polite: A common tactic is to hound tourists and pressurize them into agreeing to buy something. It's a bullying marketing strategy. Only way to counter it is to standup to it. Be firm but remain polite. Remember they are locals and you don't want to get into a confrontation.
3. Don't get boxed in: Things can sometimes get ugly if some bad elements get mixed up in the market crowds and try and take advatadva of the situation. Remember to keep all crowds at an arm's length. Have a clear way out and don't allow yourself to be boxed in where anyone can take advantage of the chaos.
Remember these 3 golden rules and you should be ok!
Happy travels.
2022
