My wife is known as a good bargainer. I am her loyal disciple. One Sunday morning, she asked me to get vegetables while she stayed in bed. I noticed a stall selling cotton-padded shoes. I picked up a pair, asking casually: "How much?"

"12 yuan ($1.60)," a deep voice replied.

I was quite satisfied. Reaching into the pocket, I said dryly: "I'll take them at 8."

"12!" said the deep voice.

I smiled. The vegetable dealers all know me too well to bargain. It's hard to find a stranger to exercise my tongue. I narrowed my eyes and peeked at the young man.

"Such hand-made"

"Such hand-made shoes have good quality with fine materials and tight stitches. To be honest, 12 is too low. I've sold many at 16."

"You are selling them at"

"I am selling them at a low price with a reason. Sir, you don't look penny-pinching and you won't care about bargaining. I'll feel guilty if I ask a high price. An honest business can last forever, right?"

"No bargaining "

"No bargaining is possible. Sir, you are frank, so am I. Count me as a friend, 11."

I gasped, securitizing the guy in his 20s. His eyes shone shrewdly and I knew I had to teach him a lesson.

"You are wrong if you treasure them! They are nothing but low quality: light in the left and heavy in the right, loose at the top and tight at the bottom. They are no Nike or Adidas and won't cost more than 8. Since you work hard on the street, I don't bargain. If you insist, your business won't last. 8.5! Take it or I'll go!"

The man's eyes shone brighter: "I can't sell such good shoes at 8.5."

I turned away. Walking away is a profound art. It tests the psychology of both seller and buyer. The one who gives in will lose. But leaving is also a double-edged sword and should be reserved for extreme situations.

One, two, three steps. I didn't look back. A casual voice called: "You say this pair is bad, how about some others?"

He was good. That question invited me back without showing his eagerness. I examined other pairs, sneering at the low-quality. The man chuckled, but then stopped: "Lady, may I help you?"

It was my better half. She certainly had a good sleep: "Spending two hours on vegetables! Are you buying them from outer space?"

I confessed about the shoes. Yawning, she took the pair and glanced: "Wholesale from Wenzhou? Wholesale price 6, retail at 7.5. Since you carried them here, I'll take them at 8."

The man's face turned ashy. He gave me the shoes: "Brother, you are a rare bargainer. But this woman has cut Achilles' heel and wastes not one word!"

My wife waved at the gathering crowd and snapped her fingers at me: "Go!" I took the shoes and ran along.

The sun shone brightly. A ray of light glared on my beloved. In a moment, I thought I saw, well, the Goddess of Bargaining.

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(China Daily 04/18/2007 page20)