Believe it or not! Your nationality can drastically change prices at Manama Souq!

TDT | Manama             

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Julia Cassano

Foreigners are seemingly shelling out more cash than their Bahraini counterparts for the very same merchandise. One couldn’t help but notice this peculiar pattern while venturing deep into the bustling alleys of the Manama Souq, a unique market in the Kingdom.

Whispers of this alleged pricing disparity have echoed through the market stalls, driven by the absence of fixed rates and the unique dynamics of haggling culture. So, The Daily Tribune took it upon itself to unravel the mystery behind these claims and embarked on a firsthand investigation to find out whether this pricing polarity holds water.

Armed with scepticism and curiosity, our team, comprising an American and a Bahraini citizen, embarked on an exploratory mission within the market. The goal is to unravel the truth behind this pricing saga.

The experience bore testament to the allegations, a silent confirmation of the suspicions that had spurred this investigation. Upon arriving at the Souq, the team proceeded to compare the prices of several items from different shops.

In one instance, one of our team members, a Bahraini, entered a store only to be quoted BD 1 for a pair of children’s sunglasses. In a swift transition, the stage was set for comparison. Another team member, this time an American, entered the same store moments later and posed the same question.

The response was BD 2 for the identical item. This, however, came as no surprise, given the tendency to subject foreigners to higher charges. The investigation ventured further. A white dress, chosen as the subject of inquiry, bore witness to the pricing disparity once more. The Bahraini shopper was offered the dress for BD 5, while the American counterpart faced a BD 6 quote.

It’s not unusual to experience being "overcharged" while travelling or residing abroad; this is often considered part of the overall experience. Many argue that the practise of charging tourists higher prices reflects the fact that tourists often possess higher income levels. Ahmed, a Bahraini, saw it as a form of compensation.

"Many shopkeepers and sellers often work hard for their earnings and should receive some form of compensation for the impact visitors have on a nation, even if it means paying more for certain items." Contrarily, Aeshah, also a Bahraini, disagreed with the notion of overcharging people.

She highlighted that inviting visitors to appreciate the nation’s culture and values shouldn’t involve unfairly charging them. "We invite visitors to learn about our culture and appreciate our nation! If people of various nationalities are being overcharged at the Souq, it may reflect poorly on the country," she said.

Learn how to negotiate!

Navigating these intricacies to avoid overcharges, it became evident that mastering the art of negotiation is a crucial skill in this terrain. The team learned from their experience that cultural understanding and proficiency in the art of haggling could potentially bridge the pricing divide and level the playing field for both tourists and locals.

In this journey through Manama Souq, the veil over dual pricing is lifted, but at the same time, another question crops up too. If the item you are negotiating over, let’s say a silk dress or a handmade item, would cost much more than what you are bargaining for in your own country, is it really worth the time over a small percentage? Think about it.