I might be a rugged Finn that plays by the book, and is obsessed on following the rules. Thats why it comes as a huge shock when people haggle 25% off our asking price for the van.

I think this goes to the same category as tipping, why is it needed for the waiters to earn their living? I mean, good service should be definetly rewarded! Why not make the mandatory tip included in the price of the package? Why waste peoples time and effort with somethong that is completely redundant?

In the name if northern efficiency and sensibility we set the asking price to the point of what we would pay for the van. Negotiations part is just about different opinions in the tolerance of the asking price.

I feel that, when people ignore the asking price and give a extremely low offer, it’s a waste of everyone’s time. I understand that different cultures the tolerances are just bigger but it feels suprising bad when somebody lowballs your offer. It makes me feel that the other one is exploiting my desperation.

Also in finnish there is a saying “it’s not crazy who asks, but the one who pays it” We just don’t haggle, for the sake of efficiency, we walk away!

In general the selling of the van has been the most unpleasant thing in New Zealand (besides the break in, but that can happen anywhere)

Whats the most unpleasant thing you have done while abroad?