On a typical Saturday for me, I was seated on the couch, smiling and responding to text messages on WhatsApp while watching Netflix. Little did I know, my mother was watching me from afar, but I didn't mind because I just wanted to relax. I had no idea she was planning to stress me out and remove the cute smile from my face.
My mother came me and said, "Son, I want you to accompany me to the market." I initially refused, but she reminded me of how much I love fried meat and promised me a bigger portion and some goodies.
Something in my gut told me that I was going to be stressed to the maximum that day.
It was time, so I humbly followed my mother to the market. Once there, we stopped at the meat seller, who, according to my mother, is her sure bet for meat.
The meat seller: Welcome, costumer, I hope everything is well with you; nonetheless, is he your son?
My mun: mallam the mallam, yes oh everybody is fine, he is my first son. I hope your meat is fresh and affordable?
The meat seller: wow, he looks like you. Ahh customer this is today's meat straight from the abatour, and its very affordable.
My mum: thats good, this meat is how much?
The meat seller; customer this meat is just #10,000 naira($25) only.
My mum; Jesus Christ of Nazareth! This tiny meat is what you are calling this big amount of money? Where did i see that amount of money, ahh mallam i dont have that type of money for this meat oO. Mallam its like you dont want to sell your me to me your VIP customer.
The meat seller; customer meat is costly these days and everything is going up in price. Alright, tell me hiw much you will buy this meat, customer i want you to buy my meat.
My mum; mallam i will buy this meat for #2,500($6) only, this is the amount of money in my bag.
When I gazed up at the sky, I understood I was going to be stuck in the market with my mother for a long time. This meat must be purchased, but my mother will ensure that the meat's price bargain benefits her.
My mother and the meat seller negotiated for over an hour before deciding on a price for the meat, which she paid $4,500 ($11).
I exhaled deeply when they struck an agreement because the negotiation was similar to the one between the federal government and its labor workers over a minimum wage increase.
That wasn't the end of the price-bargaining at the market that day; it happened in practically every store where we stopped to buy anything.
When we arrived home, my mother was pleased because she had noticed how sad my face was at the market, and she added, "I want to make sure you learn how to bargain the pricing of items in the market so that the market people do not deceive you."
Thank you and have a lovely weekend.