I went to the souvenir market today, and it was amazing. It's barter-central; nothing has a real price tag. Every booth I passed presented a myriad of trinkets, as well as a VERY eager salesperson ("Name your price. I give you good discount.").
I got a pretty good deal on a cool set of matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls), but as I had yet to visit an ATM, my funds were just about spent after that. I had 20 roubles (which translates to about 75 cents in America). But I thought it'd be fun to browse, see what I wanted to get next time I came.
And then I saw them.
A set of Spice Girls matryoshka dolls. I picked them up, and of course the salesman at the booth attacked me. "I make good offer, 450 roubles!" But I didn't have any money. Like, NONE. I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't have it. I had no choice but to step away and continue browsing.
But I had to tell my friends about them. They were amazing, how could I keep it to myself? So I brought my group over to look at them. And they thought they were just as cool as I did, obvi.
"You're back!" the salesman smiled. "Name your price." I tried telling him I only had 20 roubles, but I don't think he believed me. "For you, good deal. 300 roubles!" I shook my head, saying I only have a credit card. "200 roubles!!"
"No, I can't," I said as I backed away.
And, then. MAGIC.
"I give. Is present," he said as he grabbed a plastic grocery bag. "No money."
He handed over the bag and motioned for me to leave with a big smile on his face.
So basically, I got a super rad set of Spice Girls Russian nesting dolls (an estimated value of $15) for free.
All I do is win.
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