As elsewhere in the Middle East, bargaining is a way of life in Iran. However, for a first-timr visitor it can be hard to know when it is appropriate to bargain and when it is not. Here are a few quick tips:
If all you want is a loaf of bread or a pair of shoelaces, pick them up, pay for them and depart wordlessly as you normally do in the West.
But if you matter concerns a carpet, jewelry, or other valuable items, only lengthy negotiations will secure a deal, and one struck, it must be honored. Generally prices for handicrafts, clothes, every items in the bazaar, room prices in guesthouse and mid-range hotels, as well as fares for private taxis are always negotiable. Foodstuffs, restaurant prices, prices in top-end hotels, and fares for public transport (including shared taxis) are not.