While still suffering the perspective of a very tall man and starting to feel a small fear of heights, here’s a sample dialogue of what the new way of bargaining works:
Me: I’d like a new pair of spectacles. My current one is starting to fall apart.
Optometrist: Oh, that’s a shame. Well, why don’t we get your eyes checked now shall we?
*after being through a series of truth or dare questions (without the dare)*
Optometrist: Hmm… there doesn’t seem like a big jump in your power, but your astigmatism seems to have jumped a bit.
Me: Is it serious?
Opto: Nope. But it’s enough for you to spend extra money on your lenses and make me richer.
Me: Dang.
*frame selection*
Me: I really like this frame. A LOT. (points to the priciest of the bunch)
Opto: Excellent! (evil grin with a hint of madness in the eyes)
Me: But I’m actually going to go for this after all (picks up the cheapest of the bunch)
Opto: *Gasp!* But why? The pair you picked really IS you!
Me: Yeah I know… *sigh*.
Opto (looking a bit frantic now): Tell you what, I’ll give you 10% off for that frame you picked, but we have another brand that goes for 60% (picks up a frame that spells “pimp” if I wear it).
Me: Is this the only frame available for this 60% brand?
Opto: (nods slowly)
Me: *sigh*
Me: (Fiddles with the really “me” frame while looking disinterested)
Me: Nah…. I’ll still take this one (picks up the cheapo as if it weighs a tonne)
Opto: (Eyes wide with fear!) Tell you what, I’ll give you the frame you want for…. 20% off… I’m really not supposed to do this…
Me: …
Opto: …welllll?
Me: … *sigh*…
Opto: (mouth twitches a little at one corner). Ok fine, I’ll give you 40% off.
Me: DEAL!
*After calculating the price*
Me: Why is there an odd number at the back of the price?
Opto: That’s the price after discount! You practically robbed me already!
Me: But it’d be way more easier to just… you know…. change the 9 to a 0 at the last two digits…. it’ll make paying up much more easier.
Opto: …
Me: (Evil grin)
Opto: Fine. Have it your way.
So there you go. The top of the line for a steal AND even changing 2 digits to 0. However, there seems to be a catch. It seems there’s karma working since the optometrist will screw you over by messing around with the lense specification and make you suffer for the possible lost of extra cash. But I can change it if it still gives me fits after a few days without extra charge, so, no loss of cash for replacements or anything.
But looking at square objects as trapezoids and feeling like falling every time you look down will drive ANYONE insane.
