As usual, we patronized the usual stall where he buys from.
The lady boss speaks different languages, including English. Listening to her conversations with customers, I must say she really has the glib of tongue. This is what is known as Public Relation Skills in rhe corporate world.
I remember the first time I visited the stall and had my first interaction with her, she came across as overly friendly. It seems to me she is putting on an act.
Yesterday, I noticed that whenever a customer came over to buy a fish, she would weigh the fish on a scale which is out of sight. Next she will quote a price which most people would assumed to be based on the weight of the fish. What comes next is an automatic discount of a few cents off the price to round down the price to a whole number.
On hindsight, I thought she really knows the mentality of her customers, which comprises mainly elderly housewives who like to bargain to save a few cents here and there. By giving the discount straight, she successfully prevented customers from bargaining with her for a bigger discount. And by being friendly, she made customers feel that they won't be overcharged and never question her the actual weight of the fish.
On top of that, she will throw in one or two free fish bones for customers to cook fish soup.
Yesterday, as usual, my cousin asked her for a few small plastic bags. Unfortunately she tried too hard to show her generosity.
This reminded me of the time when I asked her husband for an extra pack ice to keep the fish cold as I've some other errands to run. He said ok but did not keep his promise.
In a separate incident, the lady boss collected money from a customer based on customer doing his own calculation. A few minutes later, the same customer's wife came back and informed that the calculation was wrong. As usual, rhe lady boss used this opportunity to gey attention and show how honest she was.
In business, many people think the ability to speak well is an important and necessary skill for success. Of course, we are all impressed with someone who speaks well. It is a display of confidence and abilities. The kid picked to tell a story on stage at graduation is the most eloquent. No teachers in their "right" mind will send a student who stutters on stage. The staff sent to make that multi-million dollar presentation is the best speaker in the company. And we all want partners who whisper sweet nothings in our ears, don't we?
There's no doubt the ability to speak well is an advantage. However, this can also be an disadvantage.
When was the last time you came across someone who speaks really well but you don't believe what he says?
Do you come across as someone who can be trusted? Are your behaviors congruent with your words?
I'm beginning to suspect the shortchange incident is a staged one. And I wonder if there is something fishy with her weighing scale which nobody gets to see.
Better be someone who stutters honestly than someone who only speaks well.