If there is one element of Britishness that inhibits in us the ability to barter, it is conservatism. Bartering conflicts with our general nature, although some are better at it than others. And, I am sure, all are better at it than me. I do not like to barter, instead preferring to know the price as is. I do not want to be quoted a vastly inflated tourist tax used as an invitation to play the bartering game. Maybe it is about saving face. Perhaps it is the dislike of looking a fool in front of a complete stranger - one whom you are unlikely to ever see again, incidentally. Or maybe that because we, as westerners, live in a culture where we are used to seeing the price in black and white, it is just pure laziness. Others submit to the game and revel in trying to achieve the best price for something that only cost that in the first place. Once, in Saigon, I was quoted a high price for an item and was subsequently and immediately handed a calculator in order to counter offer my best price.
When I barter, I tend to get annoyed with the process and the simple fact that I am having my intelligence insulted by being vastly overcharged. In Ubud, Bali, I was offered a pair of ‘Ballibong’ flip flops for more than the price of a pair of similarly-named real ones. The problem is that once one elects a more aggressive method of bartering, it only serves in forcing the proprietor to firmly sustain his ground where previously there was movement.
I also hate the tedium of markets in Asia where the same tat is sold by the same hawkers singing the same tunes. However, while most of the time I don’t want to be there and don‘t like playing the game, I am a curious and willing spectator who is easily drawn in to a battle of territory when it is played by a pro (like flicking through channels late at night and pausing on darts or snooker for any longer than a few seconds, and staying for three hours). And if there is one talent of Helen’s to which I will acquiesce, it is the ability to barter. I am forever entertained by Helen’s bartering, during which she tactically uses an abundance of humour to win them over, from using their own catchphrases against them such as ‘good price for you, good price for me‘, to the resorting of rock, paper, scissors (which she won). It is funny and entertaining to watch and she never fails to form a relationship with them, which automatically makes it hard for them to say no. And inadvertently, since I don’t like doing it, we have together put the infamous ‘good cop, bad cop’ strategy to good effect. It suits both of us and very often achieves what we want.
When I barter, I tend to get annoyed with the process and the simple fact that I am having my intelligence insulted by being vastly overcharged. In Ubud, Bali, I was offered a pair of ‘Ballibong’ flip flops for more than the price of a pair of similarly-named real ones. The problem is that once one elects a more aggressive method of bartering, it only serves in forcing the proprietor to firmly sustain his ground where previously there was movement.
I also hate the tedium of markets in Asia where the same tat is sold by the same hawkers singing the same tunes. However, while most of the time I don’t want to be there and don‘t like playing the game, I am a curious and willing spectator who is easily drawn in to a battle of territory when it is played by a pro (like flicking through channels late at night and pausing on darts or snooker for any longer than a few seconds, and staying for three hours). And if there is one talent of Helen’s to which I will acquiesce, it is the ability to barter. I am forever entertained by Helen’s bartering, during which she tactically uses an abundance of humour to win them over, from using their own catchphrases against them such as ‘good price for you, good price for me‘, to the resorting of rock, paper, scissors (which she won). It is funny and entertaining to watch and she never fails to form a relationship with them, which automatically makes it hard for them to say no. And inadvertently, since I don’t like doing it, we have together put the infamous ‘good cop, bad cop’ strategy to good effect. It suits both of us and very often achieves what we want.
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