It was one of those days in Melbourne, icy cold winds from the south, with intermittent bursts of sunshine that radiated an intense heat.
What's not so usual about today was waking up at 830 in the morning to see a very special friend who flew in for the first time this year! It wasn't easy getting up that early considering the beyond-midnight oil I had been burning the night before, but it also probably was the longest time I haven't seen her, so, UP I GOT at 830.
Headed down to camberwell market! I remember the last we tried to go together. I had stayed over at hers, and we had both stayed up all night doing, I can't even remember what we were doing but it was summer then and we spent each day doing whatever we fancied, night was day and day was night. To cut a long story short, we never made it to the market that summer, I vaguely recall us getting up past lunch time and grabbing something random to eat. Maybe we made french toast, but I could well be making this up.
Here's where the story of the fan comes in. I would really like to say my fan, but I can't.
That's not the fan, but it's close enough.
Now, doesn't it look perfect?
Well. Here's my 101 on shopping in markets. Always contain excitement. Always. It seems like an insignificant piece of advice, but it will take you places. But, me being me, I'm always over-excited and today was no different - totally flopped on my own 101.
Picture this - asian girl excitedly exclaiming to another asian friend, "Oh look, oh look, a fan! A fan! I'm gonna get a fan!!" (insert excited 'silent' hand clapping) And then immediately remembered the 101 and attempted to contain my excitement. #toolate
I am terrible at bargaining by the way. Here's the second part of the tragic fan story. I attempted to bargain, but the flow was all wrong. I don't know why I'm here analysing my shopping performance (??) in a market.
Anywayz, here's how I think perfect bargaining should go -
1) Look uninterested/unimpressed and casually offer a price for item of interest e.g. "%xx for this?"
2) Owner quotes own price/tries to sell item by reciting string of impressive characteristics
3) Continue looking uninterested/unimpressed
4) Negotiate till both parties meet each other midway
It looks good on paper, but here's what happened with me and my friend
1) Over-excitement, as documented above
2) Obvious fail at looking uninterested/unimpressed
3) Asked for price of fan, and got a quoted price
4) HERE'S WHERE IT ALL WENT APART. Started to whisper frantically to friend letting out distress from not knowing how to bargain
5) Shop owner clearly aware that I suck at bargaining at this point.
6) Nervously asked "uhhh, is this your best price"
7) Flat reply from owner - yes.
So, I thought I would call another friend whom I happened to meet on the train, and who was also going to the market. He is genius at bargaining. Pure genius. I thought I would get him to come and bargain for me. What does making a phone call involve? It primarily involves my hands - seeing as I have to get my phone out. So, I put the fan down, AND RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT ANOTHER WOMAN COMES UP AND BUYS IT.
I watched helplessly as she paid for it and left. She left with my fan.
The end.
It was such a perfect fan. I still can't believe it.
Fan drama aside, today was a perfect day. As perfect as perfect can get. I miss that friend of mine so much, and the day passed too quickly. I'm here typing this and thinking about how much I miss that vibe. You know how everyone sends out a certain vibe and each different social group/social setting has its own unique vibe? I miss this vibe so much.
