While you are travelling to different country, you are not only enjoying the attractions but also the local market. This is fun thing to try during your vacation abroad especially in Asian countries. Asia is rich in cultural diversity which makes it one of the most exotic places to visit. Well, there are many places you can visit in Asia. Aside from the tropical forest or beach, you should try visiting their local market. It is exciting to do. You don’t have to think of many things when market travelling. You just enjoy the experience to the fullest and buy what you want.
How to truly enjoy market traveling in Asian countries
Asian countries are always buzzing with life and frenetic activity and everyone know that already. Market is the best place to prove it. That is where you can buy the things you don’t actually need. Market is indeed a place full of fun. However, you need to remember that night market is different than local market. Night market is purposely built for tourist attraction. The setting is built in certain theme to fit the tourist’s liking and the price of the goods is often overboard. Market travelling will only be worth it when you visit markets where the locals go to do their activities like buying, selling and trading various products. Here are tips to truly enjoy your market travelling when you are in Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Korea, etc.
- Try your best to arrive as early as possible. The market is usually livelier when you arrive early. However, you will not have to deal with over crowds. Besides, merchants often offer lower price for the earliest visitor to their booth as a lucky day. They tend to have more energy to interact nicely so you can close the best deals.
- Since you are the tourists, you will likely receive more attention from the locals. However, stay calm and keep going. You don’t have to worry too much when they stare at you or ask you many questions about where you come from. You can even take advantage of their attention by interacting properly.
- You must realize that market is the place where you need to negotiate well. However, you don’t need to be all serious while negotiating. There is no need to glare or stare at them just to win over lower price for the things you want to buy. Try to be playful and consider it as fun game. Even if you fail to get the price you want, consider it as the way you contribute to inflate the locals’ profit. Or if you don’t agree with the price, just don’t buy it and don’t make unnecessary argument.
- The art of enjoying market travelling is the food. In Asian markets, you will find many interesting foods to try. They are inexpensive and authentic. Make sure you bring small change to buy cheap delicacies throughout your exploration in the market. It is also often that they give you small bites or sample for the food they sell so you can taste them before deciding to buy them.