The author means something like ‘don’t show how much you like the object you’re buying’ and ‘try to hide your interest in the object’. This is true, but that’s not apathy. You can show friendliness, kindness and smiles towards the vendor. Just don’t drool all over the object you are buying.. On the other hand I’ve seen a lot of tourists handle haggling as some kind of battle, getting genuinely angry; don’t!

When someone gives you a first price, make a play out of; act seriously shocked before countering. Laugh at their offers (‘you’re so ridiculous! ;)’), but not in a condescending way..

However, sometimes shop owners may play angry, or when they are with two one will play angry and the other one will go ‘he is angry at you for offering this low price’. Don’t buy into this. I usually don’t buy from these guys (as this almost exclusively happens at the real touristy places) because I personally dislike their approach.. I’ll just go somewhere where the people are nice!

Haggling is part of the fun. And, last time I came into China from India; I’ll tell you haggling in China is sooo much better… At least you don’t have to haggle for everything!

I’ll repeat, China has everything. But I would avoid electronics (anything from cell phones to cameras to anything else), as those are usually heavily taxed and more expensive than Amazon. But clothing is cheap and good (if you avoid the American-like shopping centers).

You could always opt to get a fake Louis Vuitton bag, they sell buckets of those for $30 USD and they look pretty legit. The list goes on, and without knowing your tastes or personal interests, this is a tough question to answer.