Soliciting Laughs

The Ancient City of Hoi An is teaming with tourists.  With that come innumerable vendors of trinkets and charms.  During a typical restaurant meal, we will be approached 3-4 times to buy something (more if we are sitting outside near the street).  We've perfected the art of saying no...repeatedly...in English and in Vietnamese. It gets old. Last night, though, we had a great laugh at a vendor's expense.  She was selling bracelets and postcards and was carrying a young child on her hip.  She seemed to be trying to communicate that she was hungry - patting her tummy and asking us to buy something.  When we said our final, "No thank you," she said,  "Just one dollar...very cheap...please one dollar," and she patted her son's belly. 

Nolan popped up out of his seat in disbelief.  "She's REALLY selling her baby for only ONE dollar?!?!"  He was horrified at the thought.  He's gotten used to many cultural differences, but this one was more than he could take.  We could barely stop laughing long enough to explain the reality of the situation.  The vendor snuck away mid-giggle.  I don't think we'll see her again soon.