TIP US. 22 r 



in the proceedings; and I must admit that it is a 

 vast improvement on the old system of haggling, 

 which requires half an hour at least to conclude. 

 It is simply to offer half the price asked, and being 

 refused, turn and walk deliberately out of the shop. 

 The tradesman will mark each yard of your retreat 

 by a fresh abatement of price or by specious offers. 

 Take no notice, but pursue your way in obdurate 

 silence, and the odds are ten to one that before you 

 are out of sight, a little boy will overhaul you and 

 bring you back to the shop to receive your purchase 

 at half price. 



One of the peculiarities of the traders is, that 

 they are continually wanting to shake hands with 

 you, give you a cigarette, or otherwise scrape 

 acquaintance with their customer. As you stand 

 bargaining with them while they sit cross-legged 

 in their open shop front, they stop to call your 

 attention to one or other of the innumerable gamins 

 who infest the narrow thoroughfares of the bazaar, 

 begging for alms. These 1 believe are the children 

 of the shopkeepers, and you are expected to toss 

 them a copper for the pleasure of being swindled 

 by their father. These gamins of the bazaar arc 

 an amusing race. Stunted, bright-eyed, and un- 

 boundedly quick and bitter of tongue, they have 

 neither fear nor respect for their seniors. The lips 

 that a moment ago were fervently kissing your 

 hand for the copper you gave at their asking, are 



