Bargaining

When i was set on embarking on this trip, i knew bargaining is essential and inevitable. But it didn't occur to me that it'd cause me depression. Stupid but true. I don't do much talking during the trip, so all the bargaining is done by K. I have to admit that he can really bargain. He told me that they'll only know how to bully you, so don't be afraid to bully them. Personally, i hated him to say that because he hit me at my weakest spot. I'm indeed afraid, afraid to bargain because they're simply big bullies and i just want to get my shopping done without any damage to my pride or dignity, making them have an impression of me as being far from generous.


The most damage done due to bargaining was and still is, my poor stomach. Most of the time, i'll choose not to eat out of anger or choose to eat something that is cheap and unfilling to save money so he doesn't have to bargain. Poor stomach, yes. But, i guess i lost some weight in return, i think. :D Maybe getting too pissed off to eat isn't such a bad thing either.


K says that he felt good after bargaining, which i didn't understand initially. He bargained on everything and anything you can imagine, from accomodation to transport to food even, which even now, i feel ridiculous, but like i said, a necessity.


Until this fateful day when i headed out alone to do henna. You see, we spend our money together, so all my finances are under his control and i had to ask for money to do henna. As usual, he told me not to be bullied, bargain with all my might. I only listened half-heartedly and headed out to look for henna stores. Without much thinking or bargaining done, i sat down at this store and the artist started doodling artistically on my hand. Most of the time, i don't understand what he's talking about when he replied to my "how much is this?" question, so i simply let him carry on doodling without knowing the damage to my pocket. When he was done doodling, he finally answered my fucking question and quoted a fucking 2000 rupees, almost 70 SGD equivalent. My heart hammered really hard, so hard i thought it'd stop any moment from overdrive. Then, i remembered the "DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU" phrase and plucked up my courage and started bullying the bastard. After half hour and an additional henna on my leg, i paid off 300 rupees and headed back with my head help high, damn fucking high up. I'm simply too damn proud of my acheivement, i guess i've officially graduated as a first class bargain-er. Hahahaha. Let's just hope i can keep this up for the rest of the journey and stop torturing my ever starving stomach.

P.S: I know i said i'll line up post but lied. This time, i really lined up quite a few posts. I drafted it while i didn't get any connection in Kashmir. It was the time where i really had nothing to do and the place was simply too inspiring. :D Enjoy the next few posts.