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Beyond the Liminal's avatar

I love how you’ve stretched the idea of haggling into life itself. It makes me wonder if sometimes what we call “haggling” is also just appealing to the humanity of others—sharing a story, revealing sincerity, and inviting connection. In those moments, the exchange feels less transactional and more relational, and maybe that’s why it works.

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Good insight!

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Max Lieberman's avatar

Getting a vendor to a agree to a price 80% off and then walking is absolutely psychotic behavior but I love it 🤣 thanks for sharing Ethan! Love the Bon Iver story, can’t wait for them to go back on tour!

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Hahah thank you for reading!

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The Resilient Gent's avatar

Great article and story with a very useful lesson. Thanks for sharing.

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Thanks mate!

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Sulaiman Nasir's avatar

Hello Ethan, you know what - this is indeed a deeply important and timeless question - one that every sincere writer, thinker, or creator eventually asks.

And think of it - even when we think we write only for ourselves, we are often writing towards others - towards the possibility of being understood, towards the hope that our words might one day resonate in someone else’s silence.

Let's explore together, understand together and learn together - we can be a reader of each other - at least as Substackers.

I have joined you to read more what you have to say and if you wish to know more about my work please feel free to subscribe - it's free at:

salmizindagi.substack.com

Thank you

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Appreciate the comment mate! True!

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Sean Gregory's avatar

Hey Ethan, love the Bon Iver concert story! Great life lesson here.

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Thanks Sean! Do you have any similar stories?

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Sean Gregory's avatar

Nothing super noteworthy that comes to mind, but I've always had a bit of a mantra in the back of my mind throughout life and that is: if you don't ask, the answer will always be no.

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Ethan Thompson's avatar

Truly!

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