Human Nature
Humans all seem to have certain tendencies that transcend race, creed, gender, cultures, etc. On this last trip to China, I things I saw that really bothered me was the human tendency to gather and hoard and the tendency to be cheap.
If we trace back through evolution, we find that human used to be a bunch of nomadic hunter gatherers. Maybe this is why we feel the need to purchase souvenirs and other items when we visit places. Obviously there’s also a sentimental value and to a lesser extent, maybe even some utilitarian value to the items we buy. But this behavior of gathering and hoarding or the “I want” desire can be seen in almost everyone. To add to this is the idea of getting stuff at the least expense possible. Our cynical nature draws the biggest of doubts out and we conclude that everyone is always trying to rip us off. So, when you factor in the fact that almost everything in China is based on a bargain system between merchants and buyers, things get interesting.
During the bargaining process, nothing else matters except getting what you want at the lowest price possible. Things like the relative imbalance in the standards of living between us Americans and the poor vendors in China don’t really come to mind. It’s a safe assumption that we make many multiples of their monthly salaries but when it comes down to it, 12.5 US cents or 1 yuan can make all the difference in a sale. Vendors have no choice but to risk not selling an item or marginalizing their profits while Americans justify the bargaining process with the idea that vendors won’t sell below their costs.
One incident really sticks out in my head. I realized the ruthlessness of the bargaining system when a little old lady was selling embroidered purses from a street side store. She was excited when our entire tour group of 30 or so American women showed interest in purchasing. The group elected the best “bargainer” to reduce the price so much so that the old woman (who was probably a bit senile) gave a price that was under her cost. She ended up losing money on each purse sold. When the dust had settled, she counted her money and our tour guide heard her cry out and scream that she had lost all that money. The best response that our guide was able to muster was “Old lady, I’m sorry… you should really have someone helping you sell.” We all felt bad, but the group had already disbanded to find the next bargain.
I witnessed some ridiculous spending on silk bedding, silk rugs, famous brand purses, clay terracotta soliders, among other souvenirs. The defining moments from our visit to China were no longer the impressive sights or rich history and culture, they had become in a word, “shopping”. I think it’s a little sad to cheapen a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to nothing more than gathering and hoarding… but who am I to criticize, I bought two fake name-brand watches myself.
