Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-10-30
SHOPPING IN MEXICO
Women Get Plenty of Excitement
In Making a Purchase.
BARGAINING AS A FINE ART.

The Descent From the Asking Prloe
TO the Last Price and From That to
the Final Selling Price Works Out
Something Like Farce Comedy.
When woman goes shopping In the
City of Mexico, especially II she speaks
Spanish, she gets far more excitement
for her money in the course of an aft
ernoon than she could hope to compass
in years time In America.
In the Spanish and French dry goods
houses, where the trade Is almost ex-
clusively feminine. the goods are
marked with the asking price," which
is a mere mathematical figure of
speech. and the first question that the
experienced shopper always asks of
the salesman Is, what Is your last
price?"
This ''ultimo precio" is generally
about 25 per cent less than the selling
price with which the goods are tagged.
1t forms, however. a certain basis from
which to start the bargaining, which
thereafter Is carried on with all the
skill and fury that characterize such
transactions everywhere throughout
Latin America. The woman customer
may wish to purchase few yards of
silk. for example. The marked price
Is. say. 81 yard, and the last price"
Is given as $1.50. The woman will
look at the piece she desires with the
same unconcerned scorn with which
she regards everything else that is
shown her. She will disparage 1t from
every point of view and finally ask for
something that is not likely TO be In
stock. At last she will sigh and look
about in despair.
"Caramba, but I'm weary with this
vain task of endeavoring to find some
thing that | wish in this second class
establishment. The prices are far high
er than anywhere else, but l try to
patronize this place because the pro-
prietors are friends of my husband.
Now. that rose silk is not the shade I
wish. but | might be able to use 1t
some time II l could buy 1t at a rea-
| sonable price,"
| The salesman. who has been listen
ing with an assumed air of sympathy.
responds with all the fowery elo-
quence that he can command and with
constant play of rapid gestures. his
| lighted cigarette In one hand describ-
| ing a little arc of FIRE somewhat dim
| mer than the diamonds he wears on
| his fingers.
"Senorita. we place at your feet this
establishment and all that 1t contains.
| 1t is your house. and you may do with
1t as you WILL But the very last price
| at which l can offer you this silk Is
| $1.25 yard. do this with fear of
| losing my position. but with the hope
that the proprietors will pardon my au-
dacity when they learn that your hus-
band is one of their personal friends"
| ~ thank you. senor." responds the
shopper. II appreciate your consid-
Grafton. but 1 could not possibly &C.
cept the silk as gift. Nevertheless
l would be willing under the circurn-
stances. so that you might make a
reasonable profit, to give you so cents
a yard for two yards"
| At this the salesman drops on the
floor the stub of the cigarette he has
been smoking. This leaves both hands
free. and If he is a master of the sell
ing art as known in that country tears
come to his eyes and he wrings his
hands apparently In the depths of
despair and chagrin. The Mexicans
dearly love acting and discrimination
| of all sorts, and this byplay of the
clerk Is but part of the price of the
goods. After frenzied CALCULATIONS he
puts the price down to 81 yard. say
ing that that figure is the last of the
last prices" The lady has been gaz-
ing about indifferently and gathers up
her pocketbook and other impedimenta
as she rises to depart AS an after
thought and with condescension that
amounts almost to pity she remarks:
| sixty cents-no more. 1t is my last
word. Adios, senor."
| Zone little moment. senorita. Do
not depart In anger. Rather than let
| you go thus you may have the silk at
| 80 cents a yard, and will make up
the difference from my own pocket"
| The lady hesitates. turns back as If
Indifferent, yet undecided. Then she
again starts toward the door. speaking
the phrase of pious farewell which is
| the Spanish equivalent of a final good
by.
May you go with God. senior"
She almost has reached the portal
| Wneu Tue sdieSuuu CaochSS UP Will
her. He has had time to light anoth-
er cigarette to fortify himself for the
fnal struggle. and. waving this in one
hand. he begs her, almost on Bonded
knees, to return and take the silk at
80 cents yard. She looks ianguidly
upon him. She has concluded that 20
rents would be about the right price
and probably the best she can do. Yet
she returns undaunted and in the soft
est of voices breathes the Spanish
words which are the equivalent in that
tongue for 20 cents. After ten min
utes more of firmness on the shoppers
part and every aspect of poignant
| grief by the salesman two yards Of
silk finally change hands at 75 cents.
The same furious bargaining Is the
vule in the grocery stores and in the