Walk On

“Hello, Massage, Watch, Handbag!” – I can’t walk anywhere on Nanjing Road (near People’s Square) without hearing these words from multiple street vendors while they show me a placard with assorted goods displayed on it. It seems like they try to size you up from the start - first they assume you’re straight and single (massage, pretty girl), then they’re not sure but they are still sure they want your money (watch); then, they figure you’re married (handbag). The most effective way to get them to leave you alone is to keep walking and nod your head “no.”

When I first got here, I was polite. I made some eye-contact with the hustlers, smiled and said, “No, thanks, I’m not interested.” But I quickly learned that this is the equivalent of saying, “I’ll take three Timex watches, a ‘Gucci’ handbag, and why not throw in a massage for the heck of it.” Anything more than complete ignoration (my word) gets the blood up and they can taste a sale. So, just keep walking.