Petty dealers: or street vendors
Petty dealers can also be called street vendors. Street vending is prevalent in almost every city in China. The goods they sell are at low cost and various kinds. Because the prices of the goods are set by the vendors, you can bargain with them orally. If you are an eloquent person, you can eventually get a really low final price. The types of goods sold by vendors are similar to those sold in flea markets.
The vendors are mostly unemployed people and many of them may not have the chance of high education. The social welfare system isn't adequate enough, so street vending could be the only way for these people to make money. And some vendors even teach their children to vend.
Regardless of the prevalence of street vending, street vending is illegal. Because it affects the beauty of the city and sometimes can lead to chaos. However, in each city and each street, there could be at least one street vendor, so municipal officers have to tour everyday to drive vendors away. If the vendors refuse to cooperate, officers can confiscate their goods.
The vendors are mostly unemployed people and many of them may not have the chance of high education. The social welfare system isn't adequate enough, so street vending could be the only way for these people to make money. And some vendors even teach their children to vend.
Regardless of the prevalence of street vending, street vending is illegal. Because it affects the beauty of the city and sometimes can lead to chaos. However, in each city and each street, there could be at least one street vendor, so municipal officers have to tour everyday to drive vendors away. If the vendors refuse to cooperate, officers can confiscate their goods.
Images borrowed from image.baidu.com