Bargaining is a Dialogue that is part of the Culture

When it comes to bargaining, count Nigerians as a part of that process. It is not about the money, but it is about having a conversation with the selling side in order to establish a befitting price for both sides that makes it easy for both parties to agree upon. It does not matter which open market you may go to. If it is the Balogun market in Lagos or the Wuse Market in Abuja. It all boils down to understanding that prices are never fixed. The first price you come across in the catalogue or from the seller. It is just the starting point for the bargaining process.

Even a bit of human psychology is employed in the bargaining technique. You first have to study the seller or take a quick look at their body language. Are they in a good mood to do business with, or is this somebody I would like to buy from? These kinds of things are employed a lot by Nigerian mothers, especially when they are in the market. They look at the person; sometimes they may keep an eye out for somebody who is familiar to them or someone they already have an established relationship with, which will make the bargaining a lot easier.

Next up is the price. You ask the price, not because you want to pay for it outrightly but because you want to know where the pricing will start. It is highly expected that the price given to the buyer by the seller is usually high because of the expectation of bargaining to take place, and if it does not, that is to the benefit of the seller. After the first price has been called, the back-and-forth kicks in. Collect this price, this is what I have, or this is what I can pay. Making your suggestions and going back and forth with the seller.

Moreso, another tactic can be employed in this bargaining discussion. Like don't you know me statements, my customer, my customer and other familiarising praising and smooth talking to make the price drop to a given point. This display can be seen by women at the market, because they are well-known authorities when it comes to bargaining. You cannot win against them, especially against a woman who is into buying and selling. This is not to say that men do not get involved in this bargaining dialogue, but you should expect more talks like this along the line: oga you are bigger than this. This one is small for you, na. You be big name, and more along this line to make the customer feel relaxed to spend more money.

As children, we get involved in bargaining at a very young age, especially when we get to see our parents do it in the market. The cycle continues. The mother passes down to the daughter when she carries her daughter to the market, and for the boys the learn from their fathers when they are sent on errands, making it a learning technique. It can also work both ways, as well, where the daughter learns from the father and the son learns from the mother. Bargaining is one action that is a part of the Nigerian culture, and sometimes, how a person bargains can tell you how much of a Nigerian they are.

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_{I am @samostically, a chess player and writer. I love to share the experience I have gained from different battles over the 64 squares and the knowledgeable insights from books I have read. But most importantly, I am a Midnight Owl and I founded the community Midnight Letters.}

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