The Flea Market Negotiator - Part 4

Sense of Humor – Laugh Now, Or Later. Or Both.

If you're going to laugh about it later, you might as well laugh now. That’s the rule. Life’s too short to negotiate in a bad mood. Bring your poker face, sure—but smuggle in your smile, too.

A sense of humor is the Swiss Army knife of character traits. It lightens the mood, softens hard edges, and helps you survive awkward silences and stubborn prices. Humor is what allows you to survive when your offer is rejected for the fifth time or when the vendor tries to convince you the rusty kettle is a "vintage French cafetière."

In the heat of the moment, a quick-witted line can shift the conversation. It opens space for new ideas and new deals. Humor can be the reset button, the tension breaker, the icebreaker, the deal-maker.

And let’s be honest: people like doing business with someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. It shows confidence. It shows ease. And in a world full of stress, people are drawn to levity.

Humor isn’t about being the class clown. It’s about keeping things in perspective. Especially when that blender you're haggling over smells faintly of burnt toast.

So yes, learn your numbers. Know your product. Build your argument. But also? Work on your punchlines. They just might get you a discount.