The Premise: Indian Dads act as if paying the asking price is a personal insult to their ancestors. I (Millennial) have anxiety asking for a ₹10 discount. Today, we went to buy the exact same item (a Winter Jacket) from two adjacent shops to see who wins.
> ROUND 1: NETRA'S ATTEMPT (SHOP A)
I walked in. Found a jacket. Price Tag: ₹2,500.
Shopkeeper: "₹2,500. Fixed Price."
Me: "Oh. Can you do any discount?"
Shopkeeper: "For you? ₹2,400."
Me: "Okay. Can you do ₹2,000?"
Shopkeeper: "No madam. Quality is very good."
Me: "Okay surely. ₹2,300?"
Shopkeeper: "Last price ₹2,350."
Me: "Deal."
I felt proud. I saved enough for a coffee.
> ROUND 2: DAD'S ATTEMPT (SHOP B)
My Dad walked into the next shop. Same jacket brand. Price Tag: ₹2,800 (Higher markup).
Shopkeeper: "Pure cotton blend sir! Very warm. ₹2,800."
Dad: (Laughs loudly) "₹2,800? Are you selling gold? Keep it. Come Netra, let's go."
*** DAD WALKS OUT OF THE SHOP ***
Shopkeeper: (Yelling) "Sir! Sir! Wait! How much you pay?"
Dad: (Stops at door, doesn't turn around) "₹800."
Shopkeeper: "₹800?! Sir, my cost price is ₹1,500!"
Dad: "Okay, ₹850. Final."
Shopkeeper: "Make it ₹1,500."
Dad: "₹900. And I take two pairs of socks free."
Shopkeeper: (Sweating) "₹1,200. Please sir."
Dad: "₹1,000. Cash. Right now. Or I go to Sharma's shop next door."
Shopkeeper: "... Okay take it."
> TACTICAL ANALYSIS
I analyzed my Dad's moves. It wasn't about price; it was about dominance.
He criticized the product immediately. This lowers the perceived value. I validated the product ("It's nice").
This is the nuclear weapon. You must be willing to leave. I was mentally attached to the jacket. He didn't care.
He anchored the price so low (₹800) that meeting in the middle (₹1,000) felt like a win for the shopkeeper, even though it was a huge discount.
> CONCLUSION
I paid ₹2,350. Dad paid ₹1,000. We walked out with identical jackets.
The Lesson: Politeness is a tax. In the market, your dignity costs you money. Next time, I will channel my inner Dad: Touch the fabric, look disgusted, and walk away.