The Buy/Sell Dance

Although backpacking around SE Asia is pretty darn amazing, it takes a lot of logistical work on a daily basis. This can be uncomfortable, tiresome and embarassing at times.
Anytime you want to buy an item, not including perishables, you need to bargain for it. SE Asia isn't a region of hard-core bargaining and offense can easily be taken by locals if you start out with what they consider an outlandishly low price. In the land of not losing face, it is important not to cause a loss of face.
Also important is not beginning the bargaining process unless you are serious about buying. Nothing pisses of a vendor more than that. Stephen was literally kicked out of a store while trying to bargain for some t-shirts. The woman thought he wasn't serious, althoughhe was, and she yelled at him and told him to leave. The customer is NOT always right in these parts.
I find the buy/sell dance the most uncomfortable when looking at hotels and guesthouses. It goes something like this - you walk in, see if there is availability, get a price, you get a key to look at a room, usually accompanied by the proprietor. While being stared at by the person holding the key, totally put on the spot, you have to decide if this room will be the place you'll hang your hat for the night.
Often at this point, you are sweaty, hot, smelly and very tired of carrying all of your worldly possessions on your back. The proprietors are aware of all these mitigating factors in your decision-making process.
When there are two of you making the call, you don't really get a quick minute to huddle and make an informed consenual decision. Instead, you either say no if the place is too awful or sort of shake your head and agree to it. If you say no, you must face the walk of shame back to the lobby and leave, usually mumbling something like we may come back after looking around. You and the proprietor both know there isn't a chance in hell that you'll be back, but hey, it's all about saving face.