Okay!! This is going to be some sort of discussion, so I won't write much, instead I'll want to listen to your views on this matter.
My story is very simple. 'We were leaving church with a friend of mine when he stopped by the roadside to buy ripe banana from one of those women who sell by the roadside
We picked about three sizeable bunch of bananas, the lady gave a prize of #1200. To my surprise, my friend started his own end of the bargain at #500.'
After some minutes of dragging, begging, fighting and all. We ended up buying the bananas at #650. My friend was happy that he got a good bargain but the woman was sighing even as she concluded the deal with us. I was boiling inside me and couldn't wait till we get to the car so I could talk some sense of humanity to my friend.
This is a very common practice among us. People do it all the time. You will always notice someone stop by in a ten million Naira car to drag an extra #20 price issue with an orange seller - sometimes, with kid hawkers.
My friend justified his action because he believed he didn't point a gun at the lady to get the banana at that price. But I keep wondering, 'Why do people often practice their bargaining skills with the poor and needy?' If my friend was to stop by a supermarket or mall to buy that same banana, he would've paid exactly the amount the stamped on the goods no matter how high it would have been.
I learned something from Mrs Mayen, one of the very first lady I worked for. she once said;
Do not strike a hard bargain with the poor, because they do not sell to be wealthy but just to be able to buy food and survive.
It has been my guiding principle since I learned that from her. The poor people who sell in the market or by the roadside often times are there just to get their daily food but that is often where we always decide to show how good we are at negotiations.
Well, I'm not here to justify or condemn any action. Like I said in the beginning, I have a lot more to say no this issue but it's a midnight discussion, so I just want to hear from you.
Why do you think people do this?
Is it justifiable to press down prices with the poor when you can afford to pay at a better price because you know they have almost no other choice but to sell at any price just to survive?
Do you think that it's a responsibility of those who can afford to sometimes leave out extra tips with sellers?
Do we really feel happy after striking a hard bargain with the poor? Do we think they are happy to sell at those prices?
What do you think of this whole matter at hand. Let's hear from you.
