Coffeegirl, Come On Down...

[what's brewing: a showcase showdown]

I’ve always loved watching game shows, and I was particularly excited when computer based versions came out and I could compete against my siblings on Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud. I’m a fairly competitive person and take all games very seriously. I even compete against myself to make everyday situations more interesting.

It is therefore no surprise that I have created my own version of The Price is Right here in my new city. Take away the lights, the glitter, the blonde assistants and the iconic host, and you’re left with a fairly accurate depiction of my market experiences. It took me awhile to realize this, but now that I have, shopping is much more interesting for me.

As the next contestant in the competition, I exit my taxi and put my game face on – a far more serious and calm game face than the screaming, jumping, arm waving contestants that step up to compete on the game show. The settings couldn’t be more different, but the task is the same: determine the correct price of a common household item.

While surveying the item I wish to purchase, I am mentally trying to determine the correct price for the item. Knowing that my version of the game will most likely go on for several rounds, I survey the item and try to determine not only the correct price for the item, but what to expect for the initial asking price, which arguments will be most persuasive in convincing the shopkeeper to accept my bid, and finally, what price am I ultimately willing to pay even if I don’t believe it is the correct price.

There are several factors that affect the outcome of this game.

I am competing against:

-The color of my skin
-The assumption that I have money to spare
-My imperfect language skills that betray my confidence at times

However, I am supported by:

• My better-than-average language skills for a foreigner in a marketplace, imperfect though they may be
  
• Being able to demonstrate that I live here and am not just a tourist – this basic level of rapport usually drops the initial asking price by about 10 -20%
  
• Having honest feedback to give about prices I’ve previously paid to use in my negotiations

I frequent many of the same vendors to start building relationships with them, but also to help eliminate some of the guess work. I love coming back time and again to the smiling faces of the market vendors and building relationships with them while the produce takes backseat to my concern and purpose for being there.

When shopping for gifts or searching for a new item however, I must start from scratch. Thinking of the experience as a version of The Price is Right truly helps me to shift my focus from the elements of discrimination I am competing against to the resources I have to support my performance.

Whether I “win” or “lose” based upon my initial estimations, my favorite part of the game is talking with my friend when she comes each Tuesday to help me clean and wax my floors. I pull out my recently purchased items and ask her what she thinks a fair price for each item would have been. After receiving her bid, I reveal the final price that I paid and we either celebrate together that my negotiations that surpassed even her expectations, or smile and shrug our shoulders, hoping for better luck next time.

I get such joy out of this – I love the sense of accomplishment when I know I’ve paid a good and fair price for something. I love the connection it allows me to build with my friend as we examine the quality and content of each item – two women from difficult cultures, connecting on a level that is almost inherently feminine. I invited her to come shopping with me one day and she said, “But it will ruin our game – I will know what you paid! I think I’ll get started and wait for you to come home. Good luck!”