SPECIAL PRICE!

I have had the privilege of working in various education aid projects in Africa and India. Working with a team of kiwi teachers in challenging environments was incredibly satisfying and exhausting. Time out from work pressures for some of the team meant shopping. I am a very reluctant shopper and those who know me, know I need a very good reason to shop. On this occasion I thought my daughters would like some arty stuff from Africa. Down the road from our backpackers accomodation in Cape Town, South Africa, street sellers would gather to sell assortments of small handmade African animals made out of coloured wire and plastic. They were quirky to look at and were cleverly made. The street sellers didn’t have stalls. They just sold what they had in their hands. Keep in mind there is no social welfare system in South Africa. If you don’t work you go hungry and quite possibly your family does too. 

Our team leader, Glenys, noticed my awkward attempts at bargaining. She took me aside and memorably said, “Keep in mind Steve, these sellers are already selling their goods at a fair price. Don’t drive the price down. It’s not fair.”

I then willingly paid their stated price. Smiles, handshakes and conversations followed, and each year we travelled back to Cape Town, we would return to the street sellers. They now recognised us and greeted us warmly. Fair dinkum kiwis!

POINTS to PONDER

Being fair is to be kind.

If you’re in a foreign country and out shopping, keep in mind that for some locals, their only source of income might be the few dollars you put in their hands. If possible, get to know the back story of the local people. 

Being kind and fair is cross cultural and benefits us all.