Retail Therapy Works

I personally never realized till lately that shopping is really some kind of therapy. I was feeling a bit out during the last few days - dont really know the reason why. It was just a strange mixture of anxiety I guess. Sometimes I woke up suddenly at nite - although I fell asleep again almost instantly. Maybe it was just some adjusting period, maybe I didnt rest well, or maybe I was thinking too much of a certain thing, well I can go on without an end here. Anyway, the point is, I was cured after a good shopping trip yesterday.
My first shopping trip in Beijing was in a place called Yong An Li. Let me warn you, if you are not used to bargain, do not shop in this place. You have to bargain very very very hard over here or else you will be cheated by the sellers. Most of the foreigners - having came from the countries with bigger currency value - feel that the things are already cheap here. That is why when the sellers cut the price a bit, they feel that they are already really good at bargaining. In reality, they are all have been cheated by the sellers in some way or another. The market price over here is generally 20 to 30% of the asking price although it may differ from shop to shop. Amazing right. In my whole life, this was the first shopping experience that left me more depressed instead of happy. Have you ever being scold by the sellers saying that we bargain too much but in the end, the deal was actually struck not far from our asking price? What a bargaining experience!
Well, after that experience, I was quite reluctant to go to this kind of shopping places in Beijing anymore - thinking that they all should be almost the same. Until one day, my friend said that there is a place which is far better. So last weekend, I decided to try again as I needed a few winter clothing to prepare for the weather which has slowly getting colder. Guess what - this place is far more reasonable. Although there is still bargaining skill involved, the asking price is okay and I feel that the sellers are more polite as well. At least I didnt see that sulken face or hear their scolding if we did not want to buy their stuff after taking a look at the things. Although some of the stuff asking price is doubled the should be price, the process of bargaining didnt feel painful as the sellers maintain their good manners.
Eventually I really bought a lot of things there. I and my friends stayed until the place is closed :p Although we left with sore feet and empty wallet but at least my heart is content and I did sleep well last night :)