Bargaining

  In an open-air market in Turkey, a tourist is admiring the beautiful oriental rugs on display. She finds one she likes and asks the price. "One thousand dollars," the vendor says. She knows she shouldn't pay the full price, so she says "six hundred." "Nine hundred," the vendor counters. The woman throws up her hands in mock frustration and walks away. The vendor goes after her. Not long afterwards both vendor and buyer agree on eight hundred dollars, a 20 percent reduction. Both vendor and customer are smiling and happy. They have just participated in a ritual that has existed for centuries, all over the world: bargaining.

mock: pretended
ritual: cultural practice