Comments on: Market Pick-Me-Up http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/ Antigua Guatemala's number one multimedia resource in English for everything about La Antigua and the Guatemalan people, culture and traditions with a brand new web page every day! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andrea P http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19615 Andrea P Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:35:06 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19615 @Rudy: Trust me, the social aspect is not the issue for me. :) I'll strike up a conversation with anyone. The problem is the culture in which I was raised where bartering feels more like arguing and is therefore confrontation. It just simply is not done anywhere except car dealerships & yard sales. Btw, I hate buying cars, too. :) @Laura: She loves it, along with all of the other things I bought for her in Guatemala. She very proudly tells people where they came from when asked. Because of her 3-year old pronunciation, many people think she's saying, "from my grandma" instead of "Guatemala". @Rudy: Trust me, the social aspect is not the issue for me. :) I’ll strike up a conversation with anyone. The problem is the culture in which I was raised where bartering feels more like arguing and is therefore confrontation. It just simply is not done anywhere except car dealerships & yard sales. Btw, I hate buying cars, too. :)

@Laura: She loves it, along with all of the other things I bought for her in Guatemala. She very proudly tells people where they came from when asked. Because of her 3-year old pronunciation, many people think she’s saying, “from my grandma” instead of “Guatemala”.

]]> By: Leif http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19598 Leif Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:56:46 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19598 You are all using the terms "barter" and "haggle" interchangeably, this is incorrect. Bartering is an exchange of goods and services not involving money. Bargaining or haggling is a type of negotiation in which the buyer and seller of a good or service dispute the price which will be paid and the exact nature of the transaction that will take place, and eventually come to an agreement. What you are all talking about is bargaining/haggling, NOT bartering. You are all using the terms “barter” and “haggle” interchangeably, this is incorrect. Bartering is an exchange of goods and services not involving money. Bargaining or haggling is a type of negotiation in which the buyer and seller of a good or service dispute the price which will be paid and the exact nature of the transaction that will take place, and eventually come to an agreement.

What you are all talking about is bargaining/haggling, NOT bartering.

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19596 Laura Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:37:06 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19596 Hmmm... it is a bit of a struggle. But, no savvy business person will sell something at a price where they can't make a profit. But yeah, it's tough to reason... Hmmm… it is a bit of a struggle. But, no savvy business person will sell something at a price where they can’t make a profit. But yeah, it’s tough to reason…

]]> By: Jenn Klee http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19581 Jenn Klee Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:19:53 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19581 @ Laura, she just stared back with a shocked look and didn't have time to react before my Mom jumped in the conversation and fixed it back :) @ Laura, she just stared back with a shocked look and didn’t have time to react before my Mom jumped in the conversation and fixed it back :)

]]> By: Catherine from Oregon http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19580 Catherine from Oregon Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:37:32 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19580 I am very fascinated by this topic. I adopted the ethic a few years ago to NOT barter. I do ask the vendor for the price - then if it is a price I agree is fair, I will buy. I figured that they made a good deal, and it was what I felt it was worth - then we both went home happy. I have many treasures from my travels which I cherish - and I do not remember what I paid for them. So, am I naive? Maybe the vendors see me coming and line up.... How do I balance my ethic of fair trade and the game of bartering? I am very fascinated by this topic. I adopted the ethic a few years ago to NOT barter. I do ask the vendor for the price – then if it is a price I agree is fair, I will buy. I figured that they made a good deal, and it was what I felt it was worth – then we both went home happy. I have many treasures from my travels which I cherish – and I do not remember what I paid for them. So, am I naive? Maybe the vendors see me coming and line up….
How do I balance my ethic of fair trade and the game of bartering?

]]> By: emromesco http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19579 emromesco Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:39:54 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19579 @Laura Watch out with the connotation of "caliente" we might be "calurosos" as opposed to "frios"or cold... "caliente" is opposed to frigid ;-) About fruits... even though I missed many Guate fruits (e.g. zapotes, jocotes, jocote maranion, etc) I found many other fruits from other parts of the world... although sometimes are just too expensive. @Laura Watch out with the connotation of “caliente” we might be “calurosos” as opposed to “frios”or cold… “caliente” is opposed to frigid ;-)
About fruits… even though I missed many Guate fruits (e.g. zapotes, jocotes, jocote maranion, etc) I found many other fruits from other parts of the world… although sometimes are just too expensive.

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19577 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:44:51 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19577 @Marina: Very interesting! I didn't know that about rain as it relates to cultivating fruits and veggies. @Marina: Very interesting! I didn’t know that about rain as it relates to cultivating fruits and veggies.

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19576 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:43:02 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19576 @Rudy: Thanks Rudy! And I agree: a very important aspect of being human. I was just commenting to Nelo about how the people are "caliente" here in Guatemala and more "frio" in the U.S. @Rudy: Thanks Rudy! And I agree: a very important aspect of being human. I was just commenting to Nelo about how the people are “caliente” here in Guatemala and more “frio” in the U.S.

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19575 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:40:19 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19575 @Jenn Klee: hehehe... that definitely made me giggle. How did the merchant react?? @Jenn Klee: hehehe… that definitely made me giggle. How did the merchant react??

]]> By: marina k. villatoro http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19574 marina k. villatoro Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:39:47 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19574 Hey Laura, I actually asked the same thing. The answer I got:) Was that it rains a lot less in Guatemala, which is more ideal for fruit. However, in Costa Rica when it rains, wow, I don't think it's possible to see that much rain in such a short period of time, and it's more ideal for vegetables. They have the regular tropical fruits like: Pineapple, papaya, watermellon, passionfruit, and mangos (only in season) but everything else is imported and super expensive so you're lucky to find one or 2 vendors in a 1 kilometer market. Hey Laura,
I actually asked the same thing. The answer I got:) Was that it rains a lot less in Guatemala, which is more ideal for fruit. However, in Costa Rica when it rains, wow, I don’t think it’s possible to see that much rain in such a short period of time, and it’s more ideal for vegetables.

They have the regular tropical fruits like:
Pineapple, papaya, watermellon, passionfruit, and mangos (only in season) but everything else is imported and super expensive so you’re lucky to find one or 2 vendors in a 1 kilometer market.

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19573 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:39:20 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19573 @Sheila: Buen viaje! I'm sure you're going to love LAG as well as bartering... just remember to keep it friendly and fun! @Sheila: Buen viaje! I’m sure you’re going to love LAG as well as bartering… just remember to keep it friendly and fun!

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19572 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:37:49 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19572 @Erick: If you can handle pushy car salesmen in the U.S. you should be able to handle Guate markets... ;) @Erick: If you can handle pushy car salesmen in the U.S. you should be able to handle Guate markets… ;)

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19571 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:36:32 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19571 @andrea: Thanks for sharing your little anecdote too! Just as precious! Does your daughter like her quilt?? @andrea: Thanks for sharing your little anecdote too! Just as precious! Does your daughter like her quilt??

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19570 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:34:08 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19570 @Eric: Again, I second Rudy. WONDERFUL little anecdote. People are always asking me what I love so much about traveling. And little moments like the one you shared is exactly what I love about exploring new cultures. Thanks for sharing Eric!! @Eric: Again, I second Rudy. WONDERFUL little anecdote. People are always asking me what I love so much about traveling. And little moments like the one you shared is exactly what I love about exploring new cultures. Thanks for sharing Eric!!

]]> By: Laura http://antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/08/06/market-pick-me-up/#comment-19569 Laura Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:31:52 +0000 http://antiguadailyphoto.com/?p=2510#comment-19569 @Eric: Again, I second Rudy. WONDERFUL little anecdote! People always ask me, what do I like so much about traveling. And "why" is exactly because of moments like these! @Eric: Again, I second Rudy. WONDERFUL little anecdote! People always ask me, what do I like so much about traveling. And “why” is exactly because of moments like these!

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