The Tale of the Smiley Skull

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The Tale of the Smiley Skull

In the forlorn town high of Shigatse, folded between the Tibetan highlands, local merchants have their devious ways to empty the pockets of trustworthy travelers. As being a worn and dusty traveler myself, this is my proud tale of the Smiley Skull mask and how it was obtained by us.

On a dusty afternoon, strolling through the streets of Shigatse, where we'd arrived only a few hours before, my trustworthy travel companion Rossz Mokusom was disturbed by the shiny gloss of a skull: the Smiley Skull. Being afraid that this precious piece of local handicraft might go unnoticed and unappreciated by me, she rushed to notify me. I took then the daunting task of purchasing this precious item, but first: a thorough examination was needed.

We went to the stall as swiftly and stealthy as we could, but still trying to look as if we hadn't seen our object of desire. When we came near, the merchants started shattering and squalling in tongues foreign to us. How devious they were planning their tactics to empty our precious purse. Knowing that our cover was blown we walked briskly to the stall and picked up boldly the skull. "Cheapy - cheapy " and "Looky - Looky" were thrown to us, but we didn't falter.

Our spirits reached a low point when we turned to skull and watched its back. No, do not worry my dear readers, there was no label: 'Made in Taiwan' nor 'Made in China' inscribed in the skull. But big spots of paint and glue were scattered all over, the skull was wooden, THE SKULL WAS A FRAUD!!!!

Having lost our hope, but not our good courage, we decided to continue to get the skull. Not for itself, as it was a worthless piece of wood, but as a trophy. The price for daring to engage with these vendors who dwell on the dusty streets.

The haggle began...

Evil Merchant: 200 yuan, original skull!
I: 30 yuan, ohh you stupid woman, there is glue and paint on the back!

Evil Merchant: 180 yuan, I no money. Really, is good deal!
I: 30 yuan

(my trustworthy travel companion Rossz Mokusom refused to offer higher, but then again that was obvious, as the skull was a fraud)

Evil Merchant: 70 yuan

(I didn't show my astonishment, but the price dropped by 110 yuan. She figured me out that I wasn't any other ordinary traveler. She showed their respect to lower the price to normal ranges, but I was still upset that they wanted to trick us for buying a fraud skull. I wanted revenge....
I: 30 yuan

Evil Merchant: 50 yuan, I need money!!!!! Ok?
I: 30 yuan

Evil Merchant: 45 yuan. Last price!
I: 30 yuan

Evil Merchant: 40 yuan. Last price!
I: 30 yuan

Evil Merchant: 35 yuan. Last price!
I: Ok, 31 yuan, last price!

(We kept on smiling and I kept the skull in my hand. I never gave them a chance, but just out of goodwill I raised the price generously. And the tactic worked....).

Evil Merchant: ok!

(I gave the 31 yuan, which I held all the time already in my hand. But the Merchant noticed her failure. She wanted to save her face.)

Evil Merchant: 35 yuan!!!!
I: No, 31 is a fair price! Evil Merchant, may this be a lesson for you: trying to rob from friendly strangers.

We walked off with our Smiley Skull in my hand. It was a good day....


Based on a true story.

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