Bargaining, Naija style
I thought I should just relate this market conversation I had on the weekend. Try and picture myself (tall, white, Australian trainee) and David (tall, white, Swedish trainee) looking very out of place by walking through the market shopping for material to make David a native Nigerian outfit.
I come across a lady selling this very nice snack, which I believe is shredded coconut, mixed with sugar and fried (no its not very health sounding is it, but tastes insanely good). It went something like this:
Myself - How much for one piece?
Seller - Ten naira per piece
Myself - What are you talking about? These are small pieces and I know they are not ten naira!
Seller - Ok, how much you want to pay?
Myself - Listen I know they are only five naira per piece
Seller - Ok then, how many do you want?
Myself - Alright I’ll take four. But why were you trying to rip me off anyway
Seller - Because you’re white
As David aptly said afterwards, "at least she was honest".
posted by Nicholas Wolf @ 1:20 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
That is so funny. I actually figured out growing up that I had to dress down when going to the market. Do NOT go looking like an Aje Butter. You'll get completely screwed.
Absolutely hilarious!! Keep the stories coming... what you are capturing is SO SOLID. Thanks...
Nick, while you have done well haggling on the price of the coconut snack, I must say that you probably still got taken for a ride, i.e. by suggesting how much you were willing to pay, the hawker was able to ascertain that she still had a leg up on you. That's why she jumped at the stated offer from you. I'm almost certain that each piece goes for $2.50. But I guess it's the experience that counts. Next time keep haggling, you will definitely know when you have reached the borderline price.
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