In the villages of Mexico, as in some other parts of the world, shopping is a kind of game. In the fine department stores, of course, buyers pay the prices listed on the tags(标签).
Suppose a merchant is a Mexican shopkeeper who sells handmade silver jewelry to tourists. The merchant names a price. Immediately the tourist makes a much lower offer. The price the merchant puts on an article is not usually the price which will finally be paid. But the merchant pretends to be shocked. It takes a long time to make such remarkable earrings. But at great sacrifice the merchant will let the tourist have the earrings at a lower price. The two bargain. The tourist comes up a little, and then the merchant comes down a little. At last they agree on what both consider to be a fair price.
The merchant may talk about life in the village or mention interesting sights the tourist should see before leaving Mexico.
The merchant's way of doing business is much older than the supermarket way. It dates back to Old World times when the town market was the only place where people could exchange news and visit with friends.
In Mexico today, bargaining still makes life interesting for some merchants.
A. The buyers found bargaining really interesting.
B. Bargaining made their lives a little more colorful.
C. While the two bargain, they speak of other things as well.
D. Among the items of jewelry is a pair of earrings a tourist wants to buy.
E. But in most villages, bargaining is a game both buyers and sellers enjoy.
F. While in mountain areas, the buyers and sellers have to bargain every day.
G. The tourist is told that the earrings are real silver, made by people living in the mountains.
