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Monday, February 07, 2005 · posted at 6:33 AM

Just say no and other taglines. Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of social power and persuasion. Common techniques include:

Foot-in-the-door: Making an initial small request that no one would refuse in order to pave the way for a larger request.

Door-in-the-face: Making an initial exaggerated demand then a smaller more reasonable demand in order to elicit reciprocal concession (“I gave in, now you give in” negotiations).

Scarcity: Making something appear scarce and unavailable in order to increase its attractiveness.

That's-not-all: Throwing in an extra benefit in order to tip the scale or seem like a favor.

Deadline: Use of “limited time only” strategy to rush the decision-maker.

Lowball: After an agreement is reached, one party reveals additional conditions such as hidden fees.

These techniques are common for a reason – they work. How do I know they work? Because I fell for every one of them this weekend.

My roommate and I decided to brave Little India without our Gudrati roommate in search of a lengha to wear to a traditional Hindu wedding. If you've ever been in the Tijuana shops without speaking a lick of Spanish, you might relate.

After going to a few shops and being (1) ignored, (2) shadowed like a teenager in an accessory store, and (3) forced politely look at tens of dresses we had no interest in because we were gorahs, we went to a little shop just off the main boulevard where we were schooled in salesmanship.

Foot-in-the-door: You try on.

Door-in-the-face: That one is $250. Okay for you I give good price. $200.

Scarcity: That pattern is very unique. The work is very different from everything else you see.

That's-not-all: Okay, okay I give you alterations included in the price.

Deadline:Why you need to think? You think and then you come back and it not here anymore. We take you to the bank right now.

And perhaps the worst of all...

Lowball: How do you do your eyebrows? You still pluck? I thread for you. So I sit down, get some witch hazel swabbed across my face and there go my eyebrows in a fury of white thread (pulled through the woman's fingers and teeth!!). She gestures to smack my mouth together, I comply, and I feel my upper lip being ripped off. Wait a minute I didn't sign up for a de-moustachifying! Once the blinding pain subsides, all I see is an outstretched palm awaiting my 5-turned-8-dollar fee.

So now I'm the somewhat-proud-owner of two half-eyebrows, a smooth lip and a $185 orange dress that I will probably wear only once in my life. Excuse me, is it 1999 and my prom again?

And though my roommate managed to finagle two more Jacksons off her bill, I take comfort in the fact that from the looks of the Z3 the owners are driving, I'm not the first one to be taken in by their craft. And hopefully you won't be the next...



	Monday, February 07, 2005 · posted at 6:33 AM Just say no and other taglines. Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of social power and persuasion. Common techniques include: Foot-in-the-door: Making an initial small request that no one would refuse in order to pave the way for a larger request. Door-in-the-face: Making an initial exaggerated demand then a smaller more reasonable demand in order to elicit reciprocal concession (“I gave in, now you give in” negotiations). Scarcity: Making something appear scarce and unavailable in order to increase its attractiveness. That's-not-all: Throwing in an extra benefit in order to tip the scale or seem like a favor. Deadline: Use of “limited time only” strategy to rush the decision-maker. Lowball: After an agreement is reached, one party reveals additional conditions such as hidden fees. These techniques are common for a reason – they work. How do I know they work? Because I fell for every one of them this weekend. My roommate and I decided to brave Little India without our Gudrati roommate in search of a lengha to wear to a traditional Hindu wedding. If you've ever been in the Tijuana shops without speaking a lick of Spanish, you might relate. After going to a few shops and being (1) ignored, (2) shadowed like a teenager in an accessory store, and (3) forced politely look at tens of dresses we had no interest in because we were gorahs, we went to a little shop just off the main boulevard where we were schooled in salesmanship. Foot-in-the-door: You try on. Door-in-the-face: That one is $250. Okay for you I give good price. $200. Scarcity: That pattern is very unique. The work is very different from everything else you see. That's-not-all: Okay, okay I give you alterations included in the price. Deadline:Why you need to think? You think and then you come back and it not here anymore. We take you to the bank right now. And perhaps the worst of all... Lowball: How do you do your eyebrows? You still pluck? I thread for you. So I sit down, get some witch hazel swabbed across my face and there go my eyebrows in a fury of white thread (pulled through the woman's fingers and teeth!!). She gestures to smack my mouth together, I comply, and I feel my upper lip being ripped off. Wait a minute I didn't sign up for a de-moustachifying! Once the blinding pain subsides, all I see is an outstretched palm awaiting my 5-turned-8-dollar fee. So now I'm the somewhat-proud-owner of two half-eyebrows, a smooth lip and a $185 orange dress that I will probably wear only once in my life. Excuse me, is it 1999 and my prom again? And though my roommate managed to finagle two more Jacksons off her bill, I take comfort in the fact that from the looks of the Z3 the owners are driving, I'm not the first one to be taken in by their craft. And hopefully you won't be the next...	Recent Posts Anything you can do I can do better. I can do any... How old would you be if you didn't know how old yo... Dear Abby... Due to a series of unfortunate event... Regina: But you're, like, really pretty. Cady: Tha... I always feel torn when the bigwigs come into town... We're all whores. "I'm not a whore," you say, and ... So, can the mind actually ever be free from fear? ... GLINDA I've heard it said That people come into ou... Prochaskan behavior. When I was in New York, some... The biggest deal there is. The great "Can I or Ca... Morning news babie goose ryan bluemouse daves son dawntaught desiree diorama emily escadawg galveric high entropy invisible cube jepgato kyellow lilly mhuang mogbert nudream starfish + coffee verbivore Archives March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 November 2008

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