The art of haggling is about forming connections

Recently, we went shopping near the Forbidden City and bought some silk for a gorgeous kimono-style robe, before moving on to select artwork. On a little street located on the east side of the imperial palace, we found a small shop that had some appealing things.

Our new Chinese friend, whom I call "Pebble", explained to the shop girl that I was looking for something unique and different. The shop girl made a call, and soon a man came to show us a selection of scrolls and paintings. I romantically fantasized that he lived in a little house nearby, but more likely he had just come from one of the thriving corner bars, with signs that read, "Beer is GOOD here!"

After showing me several items, he stopped and looked at me and thought. Then he pulled out a long, dusty scroll from underneath a workbench. As he opened it, I watched as the beautiful watercolor strokes of horse bodies begin to appear, then Chinese women mounted on the horses. The colors were lovely, and it was just what I wanted. He said it was an old work of his, from the 1960s, before he even had a shop.