Tourists haggle with vendor in India in surprising and typically Canadian fashion

Canada is not known for being the world's leader or superpower. Canadians don't have the biggest military presence, or the most money. But they are known worldwide for their easygoing approach to life, their kindness, their compassion, and their friendliness. They are proud of their reputation as simple, good people who treat others with respect and fairness at every opportunity.

Canadians also love to travel and immerse themselves in the culture of any country that they visit. Quick to strike up a friendly conversation, and often willing to learn a few words of the local language in the process, they easily make friends on any continent. Dave and Kristy enjoy travelling as much as anyone and they were thrilled when they were invited to India for the wedding of a friend's daughter. The experience was moving, beautiful, and welcoming in a way that cannot be described. Indian weddings are famous for their ceremonies and their beauty. Treated like family themselves, this couple enjoyed a fantastic look at life in India and the importance of family.

As Dave and Kristy continued their travels and adventure, they went to some of the historic sights in Jaipur. Along the path, they encountered a woman selling handmade crafts from a mat on the sidewalk. Her "storefront" was a bundle of reeds on the ground and a few souvenir rattles with dried beans inside that she had made on the spot. She had the appearance of someone who worked very hard for a limited amount of money. With a kind smile and a few words that were not understood, she greeted Kristy as her hands moved quickly to make her products. It's hard to not be impressed with such a determination and solid work ethic. Through their guide, Dave asked how much the souvenirs cost. He was told 100 rupees, but mistakenly heard 400. The guide translated and it seemed that this smiling lady understood enough to at least follow the English conversation. She did not take advantage of the misunderstanding and her price held firm at 100 rupees. This is the equivalent of less than $2 US and is approximately 2 Canadian dollars. It was a seemingly modest price for such effort and Dave decided it was time to haggle with her. But, instead of trying to drive the price down, he asked if she would accept 500 rupees.

With her own strong sense of fair play, this kindly woman offered extra souvenirs, possibly because she assumed that Dave wanted several for his 500 R. It seems that bargaining to drive the price UP is not a commonly seen practice here.

India is described as a world of contrasts. Unspeakable beauty can be found everywhere, and poverty and hardship can be found right beside it. Palaces of gold are surrounded by people dying of starvation. Gorgeous flowers and green space can be situated within only metres of concrete and rubble from decaying buildings. The people here are resilient in a way that would shock many of us. Despite the hardships, they find ways to squeeze pennies out of their surroundings to put food in front of their families.

When travelling, especially in a country like India, it is helpful to remember that an extra dollar out of our pockets might not be noticeable for us, but to those who live here, it may mean the difference between eating and going hungry. Anybody from any country can do a little to earn the reputation as being compassionate and kind. All it takes is a little kindness and sharing.