One is bound to face bouts of homesickness living in a foreign land, no matter how developed the nation.

When I first came to America, I was bedazzled by the supermarkets and shopping centers. Yet after a while, they began to strike me as too orderly, and I started to feel that the bountiful abundance of everything in America was nonetheless cast all in the same mold. You've got to find your own amusements in the States or life will become really boring. Fortunately, America has its own equivalents of the outdoor stands found along roadsides and in markets in Taiwan.

For convenience's sake, these American stands can be divided into four types. First are the stands found in farmers' markets. Held only every so often, farmers' markets sell farm produce and processed foods. Their fruit is scrumptiously fresh, and the prices are a delight too. It's truly a case of "top quality goods at bargain prices." Local seafood, like Maryland blue crab and Virginia shrimp, can also be bought at these markets. In Maine they even indulge in the extravagance of making burgers out of lobster! Second are the stands found in annual local fairs. The grounds stand empty most of the year only to suddenly look like streets during Mardi gras. There are all kinds of food and drink and amusements, and children and adults all have fun. Third are the yard sales held by individual households or sometimes several families together. All at once closets are cleared of several generations of accumulation: all assortment of furniture, foods, toys and even underwear are exposed to the open air. The older the stuff is, the better. And fourth are the stands at flea markets, which are gatherings of "antique" sellers. The goods offered here aren't always of the highest quality, so buyer beware.

Whenever I shop at these outdoor stands, I always have a lot of fun and feel that my time has been well spent, whether or not I buy. These are the times I feel closest to American culture. First of all, such outings are educational. The folk culture of a place, for instance, can be found at the local fair. There you can gain a sense of intimacy with the locale. These fairs instill community pride in everyone, and they let you witness some finely tuned sales skills. As you hear the proprietors deliver their pitches, you can't help but feel a rising sense of excitement. The farmers' markets always bring produce directly from the country to the city. The fresh produce, in its colorful variety, is delicious and also very reasonably priced. US$4-5 will get you about 100 crispy and fragrant apples. At flea markets and yard sales, where caution is the better part of valor, you'd do well by looking more and buying less--because once you take the bait, you can't give it back. There are no receipts, let alone returns. But it is fascinating to see the artifacts of a family's history spread out before you: Granddad's leather-covered books, Grandma's dressing stand bought when she was a newlywed, Dad's camera, Mom's purse, toys for various ages that accompanied the kids growing up.... Though they hold warm memories, they're still for sale! This is what Americans call "cool."

What's more, you can use this opportunity to meet neighbors and practice English, talking about anything and everything. Ask about local history and customs. Is the place of historic significance? Has anyone famous lived here? Things that have been handled by famous people are especially valuable, and something that they've autographed is cherished even more. You can ask how people are doing or if what's for sale is any good. There are no constraints: talk about whatever you want. When you're tired of looking and chatting, take a rest, and go to the next yard sale. It's best to shop around before buying. Rarely will you come across someone holding a yard sale whose attitude becomes chilly when you don't buy.

Finally, the time comes to bargain. At first I thought that America was the land of the fixed price, and my character is not one given to haggling anyway. But then I heard a customer say, "It's expensive. I like it, but the price isn't low." A tug of war over the price ensued. As a Chinese looking on, I was of course very clear about what was going on--namely that not bargaining is your own loss--and so English suddenly rolled off my lips with great fluency. Once I did hit an impasse, however, when a seller countered with a question: "Why do you want to buy the 'junk'?" If you can't reach an agreement, go back at the end of the day when they are putting things away. You'll see that this is a very effective strategy, one that will get you a warm welcome. The early bird gets the good worm; the late bird gets the cheap worm.

CAP:

Seeing such a vast assortment of fresh produce, who wouldn't be tempted to buy?

The author at a farmers' market. He probably hasn't started his frenzied buying yet, as his bag is still empty.

The author at a farmers' market. He probably hasn't started his frenzied buying yet, as his bag is still empty.