Souk life - the art of negotiating a deal

Shopping the souk – A story on how to sell anything to anyone.

Before throwing yourself to the lions in the souk, read and realise…
it’s a matter of time, passion and mastering the skill. o wow, is this not what life is about too 😉

“Madame!”

The big smile from just seconds ago on the merchants face is gone and he shakes his head. He looks over to his pop-up ‘ souk assistant’. A younger man that I guess just happened to pass to drink the afternoon mint tea and play some games while indulging in medina gossip.

The merchant turns back to me. And asks again as if he’s sure he did not get it the first time “What did you say?”

“5”—for this one I say, trying to look as convincing as possible.
The object of desire is an orange with white Hammam exfoliating glove. A simple everyday item, the same as in the shop next door, and the one next to that one, and the one opposite. At least, simple ME doesn’t see any difference …

I start to feel a little uncomfortable.

“Okay. Then give me 10 Dirham for it,” the merchant says. He is wearing a pair of bright yellow (my favourite), point-toed babouches—the traditional Moroccan slipper.
“10 Dirham? But that is double of what I want to give!” He looks over at me. He shrugs. I shrug. He shakes his head and says very mysteriously: “ye but is half of what I would ask anyone else!”

Without another word he marches past me and out of the little shop, leaving me to let this sink in a little deeper. I see him standing and talking with another potential ‘victim’ And I decide to leave before he returns. But that’s wishful thinking. After 2 steps he walks beside me again.

“you know, this is a special price for you, any other tourist I would ask 20 Dirham, that is the normal price. You can go and ask! Especially for this quality.”
“But I live here, so you can do a little extra, no?” I try.

“Why can’t we agree somewhere half way, half way between 5 and 10 Dirham that is.”

His right hand goes to his heart and his face looks as if he is in a lot of pain. He shifts from one foot to the other.

“They are nice and the best quality, madame.”

I pretend I really have to go and wonder off to the neighbour.

He calls me back again and I ‘m getting tired.
“Is it really worth discussing over 2 or 3 Dirham” I wonder….

“Listen, you are my first customer today and I want to get the deal, so give me 9.”

My thought from just a second ago is gone! Now it’s a matter of honour and ego! What is he thinking? If I want to give 5 with a maximum of 7 then why does he call me back and tells me to pay him 9????
I tell him no and walk out. The next moment I buy it for 7,5 dirham.

The seller pretends I ruined him.
I pretend the same.