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Jim Coogan's avatar

Nice job, Andrew. It is a topic about maritime history that often flies under the radar. Your piece was a nice summary of these extraordinary women and their experiences at sea..

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Andrew Singer's avatar

I appreciate your research on the topic, Jim, as well as the Museum's exhibit.

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Hal Rifken's avatar

Fascinating portraits—such tough women who joined their husbands during incredibly dangerous voyages. Well done!

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Derek Shepherd's avatar

Thanks Andrew for sharing these amazing stories of seafaring women who experienced Oriental life long before most of us . Rather than call Chinese merchants Cheats I would just describe them as keen traders who tried to extract a living by always asking more and when one walks away the prices always come tumbling down as they cannot afford to loose a sale

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Andrew Singer's avatar

Derek, that word caught my eye as well. In thinking about it, I felt her characterization was not only reflective of the prejudices of the time, but also of the cultural shock between how the two systems operated in terms of trade at the retail level.

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Derek Shepherd's avatar

Yes but negotiating or haggling is still prevalent in China . many a time i have been chased out of a Antique shop by a trader slowly dropping his price in the hope that I will give up and buy .Great fun actually . Will you be at Lisbon I have some bottles in the display

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Andrew Singer's avatar

Negotiating/haggling is strong throughout much of Asia, though not the US. I am not super proficient at it, so it is always good to travel with someone who is. :-) I will be at Lisbon and will be delivering a lecture during the Convention. I look forward to seeing you and your bottles.

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Derek Shepherd's avatar

Look forward to your lecture and catch up

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