The art of selling
© Meredith Mullins

A Card Made from Elephant Dung, A Rum Cigar, Cobra Whiskey . . . Why Not?

“Mary! Mary! Hello, Mary!”

The cry seemed to leap from the dark beach as our boat got closer to shore. I was being welcomed home at the end of a stunning sunset cruise.

But, wait a minute, I was in Myanmar . . . and I didn’t know a soul. No one except Sandar, that is.

Sunset on the Ayeyarwady River in Bagan, Myanmar
© Meredith Mullins

Persistence Pays

Sandar was the Burmese girl who had been following me most of the day to sell me jewelry.

Full disclosure. My name is not really “Mary.” That name popped out of my mouth when I first met Sandar at an early morning ox-cart ride.

All was quiet and deserted . . . and then Sandar appeared.
© Meredith Mullins

“Hello, what is your name,” Sandar had said in careful English. She seemed quite practiced.

“Hello, I’m Mary, what is your name,” I replied, not realizing at the time that I was making a long-term commitment.

“Mary” wasn’t exactly a fake name, like a quick alias you might give in a bar to someone you know you’ll never want to see again. It was just a simplification. “Meredith” is not easy to say in any language.

Sandar . . . my new friend in Myanmar and a master of the art of selling
© Meredith Mullins

Following the fateful first meeting, Sandar then met me at every stop on our itinerary that day, calling my name like an old friend.

Sandar: Mary, I show you this necklace. Real jade.
Me: It’s beautiful, but no thank you.
Sandar: You want to buy?
Me: No, I really can’t. But thank you.
Sandar: Maybe later? (smiling hopefully)
Me: Yes, maybe later (thinking we most likely would never meet again).

But we continued to “meet again.” Sandar knew exactly where I would show up next. And there she was, jade necklace in hand. These were cultural encounters of the relationship-building kind.

Others tried to win my attention, but Sandar had claimed me for her own.
© Meredith Mullins

Sandar’s technique is one of the successful sales strategies with travelers in Myanmar. The art of selling, Burmese style. And it works!

Guess who ended up with a jade necklace?
© Meredith Mullins

For visitors who want to reward the value of persistence—or those who are just guilt-ridden by the end of the day—a sale is inevitable. It’s hard to refuse someone who has invested a full day in a “client” relationship.

Hayma, in Mandalay, used the Myanmar art of persistence and the age-old technique
of never letting the “client” out of your sight.
© Meredith Mullins

Creative Marketing and Selling

Every culture—and every locale—has its own way of marketing and selling, especially to visitors.

Packaging is key to selling, especially when a snake is involved.
A toast with cobra whiskey in Laos
© Meredith Mullins

For travelers, the interactions at markets and the meetings with locals presenting their merchandise are important ways to better understand a country’s customs.

In countries dependent on waterways, commerce is often conducted via boat.
© Meredith Mullins

The “Oh, I see” moment comes from this deeper dive into the culture. Meeting people within the delicate dance of shopping and bargaining is always revealing.

In some markets, playing hard to get is the strategy.
© Meredith Mullilns

In places where waterways are highways, boats will align and sales will take place boat to boat or boat to shore.

The boat sellers in Bangkok latch on to your boat and show off their wares.
© Meredith Mullins

In remote areas, the merchandise will often be brought to you (if you look like a “buyer”), wherever you are.

I’m still not sure exactly what he was selling, but he showed up on more than one occasion with his unique bow and his even more unique personality.
© Meredith Mullins

In countries where the arts and crafts are an integral part of the culture, guides will lead you to the workshops to hear a presentation on the history and processes of the art/craft.

Learning about the weaving process first hand
© Meredith Mullins

You will also see the artisans at work to better understand the care and hours that go into making the products. The grand finale is the showroom where purchases can be made.

The art of lacquerware in Myanmar is a multi-step handmade process.
© Meredith Mullins

You might see artisans working on tapestries or lacquerware, or you might visit a cigar or paper manufacturing business. Chances are you will finish your holiday shopping because who wouldn’t want a mint cigar or a greeting card made out of elephant dung.

The art of making cigars (cheroots) in Myanmar. So many flavors. So little time.
© Meredith Mullins

And haggling on price is all part of the ongoing theatre.

Right Place, Right Time

The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing—Fishburne

In many of the tourist sites, the sellers stake out prime positions and become part of the exotic landscape.

On the main path to Indein Pagodas in Myanmar, you will almost always stumble
on a local seller, an integral part of the culture.
© Meredith Mullins

These seasoned locals seem to know the rhythms of the tourism circuit and make themselves a part of the path, often with unique presentations and charismatic personality to attract interest.

Charisma counts. Who could resist buying from Noelani in her small Laotian village?
© Meredith Mullins

The Art of the Display

As with any merchandise, the display of goods plays a meaningful role in attracting buyers.

No false advertising here—grilled crocodile meat for sale, a common street food in Bangkok.
© Meredith Mullins

From upscale window design in elite cities to arrangements on dusty tarps in remote villages of developing countries, the art of the display is important. Sellers rise to the occasion.

The artistry of display shows a pride of profession and place in a Laos street market.
© Meredith Mullins

The COVID Challenges

These stories of fleeting friendships with locals and dedicated artisans from my visit in February become even more touching under the current pandemic climate. The pre-pandemic treasures purchased and carried home take on a special meaning.

Have postcards. Will travel. The local sellers always seemed to find a way to meet the challenges.
© Meredith Mullins

Unfortunately, at the moment, the tourism industry in many countries is devastated. For months, the streets in the tourist destinations have been empty. The income that people rely on is gone.

Challenges in COVID times
© Meredith Mullins

Remembering cultural encounters like these is even more poignant when thinking about what the future might hold.

One thing seems certain from my fledgling relationships. The people I met were persistent, passionate, and, above all, resilient.

I, for one, will look forward to visiting again and supporting local cultures.

Sandar! Hayma! Noelani! Hello! We will meet again.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Thank you again to Rick Murai and the Center for Photographic Art and Hanuman Travel  for the rewarding journey.