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Category: Race/Ethnicity
Subject: Bartering
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I think the comment that recent immigrants try to (I think you meant) bargain (not barter) has some truth to it. In many cultures, haggling is an accepted practice. In many situations here in the USA, it is accepted practice: cars, antiques, and so forth. Recently "savvy shopper" articles have been encouraged people to do this in department stores.

As for the shady practices you mentioned, I can only guess that perhaps, in some cultures, putting one over on someone is considered a legitimate part of doing business. I believe there are a lot of folk tales here that are based upon such: think "Jack and the Beanstalk".

Curiously, a lot of US folk tales involve cheating the Devil in some kind of transaction.

Posted:8/23/2009
By:
Jerry S, New Britain, CT, United States , 61 , Male , Jewish , White/Caucasian , Straight , IT specialist , Over 4 Years of College , Middle class
Mesg ID: a7613299-f8cf-4bae-8192-b80e1341cd2e
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