 |
|
|
Moscow Shopping
|
|
There are two types of shopping
in Moscow. The first is done in a store. If you are in GUM or
clothing store you act the same way you do in an American store.
If you are in a grocery store you may have to go about business
in a different way. First you decide what you want to buy then
ask the clerk how much the item(s) cost. You then take the price
to a counter and pay another clerk the total, then return to
the first clerk with the receipt. You exchange the receipt for
the products. |
Obviously you should have some command of Russian to shop in this
manner.
The second type of shopping is in an open market. While you don’t
need to understand Russian to shop here, you may end up paying more
than you need to if you don’t know any of the language. The
main practice is haggling. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better
price, but remember that if you agree on a price, that’s almost
as good as a written contract.
Everything from produce to the famous matrushka (nesting) dolls
is open for haggling. If you know at least the numbers in Russian,
you can escape a market without paying too much for your gifts and
souvenirs. Famous markets like on the Arbat and around the Kremlin
will be more expensive so you shouldn’t be afraid to shop
around. Many entrepreneurs know at least a little English and some
are completely fluent. Make sure you are aggressive in your bargaining,
it is a tough place to find a deal. (Tip: A fuzzy Russian hat, famous
in movies, is a good deal at around 250 rubles.)
|
|
|
|
