fighting

Here's how haggling works. The vendor chooses a price comfortably above their desired figure. You choose a price nicely below your target cost. You work each other up/down until you meet in the middle. Sometimes your target price is just a guess, but it's better if you know "going rate" of the thing you are haggling for. And usually both sides walk away satisfied.

But today didn't work that way. I played my end of the game, but they didn't seem to be cooperating. I found myself fighting hard to get the price I knew was fair.

First of all, I needed to go to a place to which I have gone countless times before. I know how much an acceptable rate is for getting there on a motorbike taxi. But the guy I got wanted almost 50% more! So I started quite low, letting him know I was aware of the going rate. He went down a little, but still insisted on more than I usually pay. I finally told him the rate I wanted and said if he didn't agree I'd go ask one of the THREE other guys, waiting just 50 feet away. He relented, but muttered to himself the whole way. Sheesh.

And wouldn't you believe it, the same thing happened when I was coming back home, too.

I texted Mr. just to be sure gas hadn't taken a dramatic leap in price or anything, and he wrote back and said that, no, gas prices have been falling recently, in fact. So, I don't know what the deal was.

Then I went to a pharmacy to buy some medicine I take on a regular basis. This particular pill is provided by aid organizations, and is "not for resale"—but we have to buy them anyway. And once again, they asked 50% more than I typically pay. I told them other places sell it for less, named my price and waited. They looked a bit annoyed (probably because haggle prices at a pharmacy), but finally gave it to me for the lower amount.

Now, you are going to laugh at me when I admit to you that the price difference I am talking about is literally a matter of cents. I was adamant with the moto taxis over 25¢, and embarrassed the pharmacists over 12¢. That might sound pretty silly. But it's the principle of the thing for me, I guess.

Anyway, I saw God today in the eyes of someone I don't know well. I found myself inexplicably sharing my cares and concerns with her, and she shed some tears in empathy for me, which surprised me—but not in a bad way. I realize that I don't have a friend to turn to in that way. I do a lot of listening to others, but rarely do I have the chance to share deeply myself. I mean, besides to Mr. It's just different talking to a woman… no offense.

I also spent some time with God today, and heard a bit from Him. Pretty comforting. Not what He had to say, necessarily (He seems to be determined to teach me some hard lessons lately) but just the fact that He's there, and still talking to me. It's reassuring.