The only place it gets too intense for me is the craft market, so my solution was to stop going there. I really don't like talking to sales reps in the states, it's hard for me there. What kind of made me sad last year was the large number of kids that were out asking for a dollar at 8 pm or later. Makes me feel like their parents are making the kids ask.

For the hardcore taxis, higglers and drug sellers, my wife is quick with a no. A woman clapped at her in sunshine plaza last epyear (we were maybe 20' off, headed to the pharmacy from a trip to the dr.) and I thought she was going to lose her mind. The wife is so much better at saying no than I am.