Browsing All posts tagged under »shopping«

Saving face or saving money?

August 20, 2012

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Understanding what something’s worth is never as straightforward as it might be.  Yes, there’s supply and demand, but there’s at least three extra dimensions in Beijing.  Distance, Haggling and Face. Distance is a factor everywhere, of course, as convenience always comes at a premium – but when nipping to the shop at the next corner […]

IKEA – with Chinese characteristics

August 6, 2012

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Anyone trying to get to grips with modern China could do worse than head to IKEA in Beijing on a Saturday afternoon. Not only do they have one here (actually, they have 10 across a variety of cities with at least 2 more planned in the next couple of years) but, as might be expected […]