Article: Picking up a few key phrases could help you to communicate better, and might even help the vendor warm to you. Someone who has made the effort to learn a little bit of the language might be taken more seriously than a more obviously clueless foreigner. Knowing a few phrases could also help you understand what is going on around you, and find out what sort of prices other people are paying. Some good phrases to start with include: Duo shao qian how much money. Jia ge price, cost. Tai gui le! too expensive! Pian Yi Dian? can you give me this for cheaper? If you are struggling to understand each other, writing down numbers or entering them onto a calculator is a good idea. The vendor will almost certainly have a calculator and pen and paper at hand for precisely this purpose. It's probably not a good idea to use your phone for this. Pulling out an expensive phone will be displaying your wealth and may prompt the vendor to look for a higher price. If you don't have a language in common with the vendor you will have to rely on body language and gestures. This can be easier than you think, with a simple shake of the head an easily recognisable sign that you are not paying that price. Try to be open and friendly, rather than closed off and prickly. They might be trying to take rip you off, but it's nothing personal. Unless you're buying something very expensive, the actual difference in price when converted back to your home currency is probably not that significant. Don't feel bad if the vendor seems offended by your low price offer, it's all part of the melodrama of haggling in China.

What is a summary?
Learn some basic phrases. Use a calculator. Use body language.