Most places we have gone have people selling, we are used to this but Vietnam has some of the most relentless sellers. SaPa is the most intense. You can't even step out of the hotel without literal swarms of women and children dressed beautifully chanting in the same lilting singsong voices "buy from me, buy from me". You can try and politely say no thank you and they continue on, if you happen to look at the wares or make eye contact, you are swarmed with many more. If they see that you have already bought, it's a sign that you want to buy more, so their line becomes, "buy one more, make me happy. Me no happy if you don't buy from me."We said no many times and they say that " I will follow you until you buy from me...and they do! The above picture Sherry was speechless and at a loss of what to do to get rid of them. We finally relented and bought a few things after bargaining down over 50% from each of these women only to find them even cheaper in the stores. At this point, I said to Prov I think I am going to hit one of them and his only response was let me know so I can get the camera ready. Of course, I did not but it is getting old. Now we say go ahead and follow us we are not going to buy. Sometimes we get some fun ones and make friends. The 2 women below spent a lot of time with us and we really liked them, and yes we bought!
They follow you so they know where you stay, and low and behold, they are outside your hotel the next day. Asking them to try to engage other customers is a no, no. Once they get you, you are their only focus. One lady followed us closely one evening and sat outside the restaurant for over an hour and a half while we were having dinner. The entire time she sat there, she did not engage any other potential clients. They claim that the Chinese tourists don't buy, so when asked, Prov will say he is Chinese...that got a good laugh but...
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| Outdoor market |
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