Q: We’ll be traveling in Egypt this summer, and one of the things I’m looking forward to is to get involved with the ancient art of bazaar bargaining. I enjoy the give-and-take, but am not sure about the Cairo rules. J.R., Chicago IL

A: The Cairo rules are that there are no rules. When the merchants see that you’re a tourist, the prices will start sky high. The simplest way to do it is to counter by offering half, and then be prepared to bargain.

Most of the merchants in the markets speak English and will deal in dollars, so there should be no language or money exchange problems. One possible advantage would be if you travel with a local guide who’ll volunteer to help you when you buy, compare exchange rates and check the quality of the merchandise. However, understand that the guide’s main incentive is to make a bit of money out of the deal, too.

Good luck in your Egyptian ventures!