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Showing posts with the label Filene's Basement

True (W)African Sport: The Art of Bargaining

Jemi: You are soo cheating! RealJemi: No, I’m not. J: Really? RJ: Yes. I think. J: Didn’t you feed the same lines to the other fella from yesterday? RJ: Yes…but, it’s not the same. J: [Raised eyebrow] RJ: What?! This interaction has the potential for something much more different. Much better. Much more…challenging and stimulating. J: Doesn’t change anything. You’re still cheating. RJ: Ei, why? Did someone patent the lines I’m using and hire you to police the rest of us? No? Well, last I checked, there was freedom of expression and association. So mind your own business. J: What do you think they will say when they find out what you’re up to? Two-timing them the way you are. RJ: [Mischievous grin] But who says they ever have to know? -- And so it goes. The guilt-trip that follows the ritualistic love dance, mating call, whatever-you-want-to-call-it, that is West African price bargaining. They say everyone likes a good bargain. But what they don’t mention is that the true art...