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This is what a haggling culture actually looks like. There's an assumption in this thread that in all "non-Western" cultures, haggling is the norm. But I think
by muzani 5y ago
This is what a haggling culture actually looks like. There's an assumption in this thread that in all "non-Western" cultures, haggling is the norm. But I think it's important for the seller to imply consent first.
- pc86 5y agoFor the seller to imply consent? There's another article on here about "No" being a complete sentence. The seller is not forced to haggle at all, they just have to repeat the same price.
- thebean11 5y agoHaggling is the asking for consent part. Are you suggesting that "can I haggle with you?" is somehow more polite than "would you sell it for $x"? I think it's honestly kind of infantilizing to assume someone who is selling goods for a living is going to be somehow tricked or manipulated into selling at a price they do not want to sell at.
- muzani 5y agoIt's not about manipulation, but manners. Where I live, you literally do ask, "Is this the final price?" Or a lengthier way might be, "This is a beautiful thing and I would love to have it! But alas, it is beyond my budget." Most cultures are not as direct as American. In the US, it's a virtue to save time instead of dancing around the question. But in some cultures, dancing around the question is a mark of respect. You first acknowledge that the seller has been generous and then ask them for further generosity.
- thebean11 5y agoAnd in some cultures, "would you do it for $x?" is totally normal and expected, including the US in some contexts (like Craigslist or a used car lot).