The Negotiation
No one should go shopping in China without my mom. Homegirl knows how to drive a price down. We just snagged a hugeass Samsonite suitcase that wheels both front-and-back and side-to-side for about $30USD. The asking price was $65. Stiles got dress shirts for work for $8 each, they wanted $26.

Let's say you are in China and want to purchase a particular item. This is how the negotiation works:*

1.) You express interest in the item.
2.) Seller tells you how awesome it is and names a ridiculously high price.
3.) You express indignation. "THAT IS A RIDICULOUS PRICE!"
4.) You explain that the same item at another location was _____ much. Or that you don't even really like the item, really. Or that the item is much too small for you.
5.) Seller asks you how much you want to pay for it.
6.) If it's a high priced item, you name half the asking price. If it's a low priced item, you name two-thirds of the asking price.
7.) Seller expresses total indignation.
8.) You say it's reasonable given the things you expressed in step number 4.
9.) Seller continues to express total indignation, or they come down a tiny bit.
10.) You stick to your guns.
11.) Seller says that's impossible.
12.) You say fine, act kind of disappointed that things don't work out, and begin walking out of the store/kiosk/alleyway.
13.) Walk slowly, but mean it.
14.) Nine times out of ten, the seller will agree and ask you to come back in to pay the price you asked for.

*None of this works if there's a serious communication barrier. Speaking the language is half the battle.