Although I think learning a new language would be more useful in my life, I prefer learning how to bargain. Walking away after successfully getting your what you want is like a dopamine rush. Today, during our bargaining simulation, me and a few other guys wanted to apply our newly-learned skills in the Medina. We had one mission: acquire a fez at the lowest possible price. We exercised this by going to three shops in total to check out their final prices. We used our big group and affirmed to the shopkeeper we could only pay x amount as leverage. Two shops said forty but we managed to get the deal down to thirty, so you could say we got our moneys worth. I’d say I’m quite picky on how I spend my money, and I actively look for deals, so in a place like Morocco, where price negotiation is like tennis, it’s honestly my dream.
Today, we also had our first steps on the beach of Rabat. We thought that the best way to immerse ourselves in the environment was to act like Moroccans. We bought a soccer ball and started playing a 4v4 game with each other. We believed that showcasing our skills would attract some of the Moroccan ballers. In this case our actions spoke louder than words, and two guys around our age stopped their other game and asked to come play with us. When we played, all language barriers were torn apart all because we were connected to the sport. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe communication is important, but in these settings, I believe it is what we do rather than how we talk. In our case, being inclusive and sharing our traditions, in this case our different styles of play, was the key to connection. No matter what name your country calls it, there’s a reason it’s referred to as the beautiful game globally.
I’d consider myself to have a very open mind, so trying new things is always something I’m seeking. In my experience, learning a language doesn’t just come with more vocab, but more open doors to explore a culture further. So my biggest strength in learning a new language is my willingness to learn and curiosity. I also recognize that being in a place where you don’t speak the language is very humbling, so being able to communicate with the locals makes you more of traveler and less of a tourist. In terms of bargaining, the area I shine the most in is being able to read the other person. Typically, when I do push for things from someone, I try to understand their current mood and willingness to accept my offer. In the Medina, this meant knowing when to push for a deal or not or try and get a lower offer somewhere else. If someone was being stubborn about their final price, I would go over to the shop next door and bargain it for less. When you are a tourist, strategy becomes the most important thing.
