When you go on Hurghada holidays, it's hard to miss the local markets or souks. Egyptian markets are colourful, noisy affairs with much shouting, laughter and the smell of the water pipe or sisha pervading everything. These are the ideal places to find bargains, especially Egyptian cotton, perfume and papyrus items. Some souks are devoted to individual commodities like gold and jewellery, which are popular with the tourists as they are often considerably cheaper than can be found in high street shops. Some souks cater for the tourist market selling things like pyramids, stuffed camels and statues of Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Tourists must appreciate that many things for sale are open to negotiation between yourself and the vendor. This is the art of haggling which is a way of life in Egypt and has been practised for centuries. Indeed the vendor will expect you to haggle over the price of an item; otherwise you will end up paying the first price quoted by him which is traditionally vastly inflated. It is simply used as an invitation to begin haggling whereby you both decide on a mutually acceptable price.

There is a definite art to haggling and if you are aware of the pitfalls, you should be alright. There are many places such as designer shops, supermarkets, restaurants and clubs where haggling isn't entertained. Needless to say, you wouldn't haggle on public transport. It's always best to do some research beforehand if you are interested in an item so as to gauge its relative worth. Try and set a limit on what you are prepared to pay and stick to it. If you pay with cash as opposed to credit cards, you are more likely to get a get a better deal as shopkeepers prefer cash. Obviously, haggling is to be used on expensive items such as gold and jewellery and is not worth the effort for low value items. When haggling for gold, haggle for the cost of gold per gram rather than the cost of the item.

Many shops have price tags on items which are ludicrously high and are aimed at the inexperienced tourist, who is not used to haggling. The vendor may offer you tea, coffee or mint tea or even snacks if he sees you are interested in something. Accept these. It does not mean you have to buy anything. The vendor is trying to €soften you up' or make you feel guilty if you don't buy anything. Always be courteous and friendly, but above all, be strong. If the price quoted, you feel is still too high, walk off. The vendor will soon follow you if he feels that further negotiations will be profitable. He'll probably ask you what price you are prepared to pay. Don't worry if he then walks off when you suggest a price, saying that the price is too low. If you stay firm, the vendor will return in minutes to begin more bargaining. It's all in the art of haggling and it is to be expected when on Hurghdada holidays.

Some good tips for those on Egypt holidays when haggling, is to find two sellers with the same product. Try and play them off against each other. Some items in souks are marked in local numbers to confuse the tourists, so try and learn the Egyptian numerals and a few pertinent local phrases. This will win you respect from the vendor and therefore probably get you a better bargain. Above all, don't take haggling too seriously. It is meant to be fun!