OK, You Win
It wasn’t my intention to “win”. Plus, I don’t believe that any traveler in India can really “win”. The locals will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have one up on you. They know the language. They know what price to pay. And they have the time to bargain.
None the less, our rickshaw driver insisted that I won because I refused to pay no more than 30 rupees for a ride across town in Jaipur. “Super Saleem”, as he liked to be called, was nice enough and ended up getting a full day’s fare out of us (400 rupees, or about $9 dollars U.S.) the following day when we agreed to let him tour us around the city.
No matter what service or item, we are constantly told about the great deal we are receiving. We’re the first sale of the day, so it is good luck for the shop proprietor. Special deal for us because we are so nice. The silver jeweler even told us that he only sells wholesale and we were special - but to be sure to tell our friends about him. He gave us “best price” in Jaipur.
It’s all a game, really. The trick, as a tourist, is to pay the amount you’re comfortable with but not pay too much so that it ruins it for other travelers who then get overcharged.
Another delicate balance.
Hearing the words, “OK, you win” made me feel only slightly better - like I got a good deal. But the reality is, that no matter what I get charged, it’s more than double, and likely quadruple, what a local will be charged.
Happy Travels!
This is soooo funny! We’ve been there, in India. But, you know, it reminds me, too, of when I bought a used Toyota Corolla in Portland, “Oh, you got a screaming deal, the salesman made no money” (from the license plate guy.) And I know that wasn’t true, even if my dad used to sell Fords! True story.