... I am terrible at bargaining. A bad experience in Samara (where I paid way too much for something because she could tell I wasn't Russian) led me to vow to myself that I would never be overpriced again if I could help it. Yesterday I was at Kievskaya and saw a Putin/Medvedev clock. Yes, I desperately wanted it. I tried to play it cool, also glancing at their shitty, rhinestone watches and fake designer wallets. "How much?" I asked in russian, with nary a smile or amused look on my face. "350" the guy responded. "What? 300 did you say?" "No, 350, maybe 400." I gave him a look and walked away. 300 wouldn't be so bad, and normally I would've paid 350 but I didn't want to jump the gun. I went to Mcdonalds to break a 1000 bill (and eat ice cream... outside... in 40 degree weather). I returned to the booth an hour later, but his wife was in charge now. I glanced at all the clocks, then settled my sight on the putin one. "How much?" "400. Usually 300 but since it has Putin... 400." My response was "Oh Yeah? Uh huh." Then I rolled my eyes to show her I was no fool. She glared at me and I ran away, in case her husband beat me down for being sassy.
I'm going to get that clock, someday. And I'll be damned if I pay more than 350 for it.
I went to a russian mall and found a russian clothing shop that had great, slightly nonsensical english t-shirts. One had a bunny and said "and ZARA<3 hopped away..." My personal favorite was one that said "GOLD CHIHUAHUA" and had, true to form, a chihuahua on it covered in bling and sparkles. It was on sale and I almost bought it, except it didn't fit me at all. This store seemed to be designed for skinny, 14 year old russians, and so it made my stomach flesh look like unappetizing sausage in a GOLD CHIHUAHUA casing. Oh well.
the reason I went to the market was to look for a pumpkin, or тыква, to carve for halloween. Apparently, this market that I went to was more of a flowers, fur hats and coats, and pants sort of market. Also, is was one of those markets you shouldn't really go to alone, as I quickly discovered. It's easy to become flustered and lose the cold, disinterested russian frown on your face when men are going "HEY! hey girl! Girlie, those pants look nice on you, but I have some other pants over here that would look reaaal good on you." Luckily I am used by now to such heckling and so it did not affect me.
anyways, of to school. I'm also going to a yoga class today, so I'm looking forward to that.
2 comments:
Hi! I actually got mine at the rinok near our home; you can get them at many rinoks. For some reason this year both only cost me 400 rubles total. In the past it was 1,000 for only one! I don't know why this year the price is so much less... It's probably the only thing that hasn't gotten so much more expensive!
If you email me at aginmoscow@gmail.com, I could email you the specific name of the rinok (don't want to post where we live).
yemma! i want that gold chiuhauaiaosdfn shirt. please get me a non-nonsensical shirt, because it's the only thing i want in life.
i'll bring you back a 4 leaf clover!
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