At 7am we decided to go back to the fish market. We are looking for Crab. I think Crab is out of season so they will not have Crab or it will be a high price. I am fascinated about this market as it is a study of the free market rule of supply and demand.
We took the bus again but this time in heavy traffic. We would arrive after the opening bell of the market but that is ok. We learned more about this market today.
In a very loud voice in Arabic language…….… Give me 5,5,5,5. Ok 5, what about 6, give me 6, 6, 6, 6. Ok 51/2; now give me 6,6,6,6,. Ok 6, give me 7, 7, what about 7,7.
The number was Kuwaiti Dinars (KDs) for the lot. The lot could range from one large fish to many small fish in a pile. One Chinese couple who owned a restaurant had an Indian man bid for them and help them understand the process. Most of the bidders were business owners who would clean and then resell the fish at a higher price.
The crab was being sold in lots for 10KD ($35) – 15KD ($50) which was more than we needed and more than we wanted to pay. We had to wait for one of the fish vendors to buy a lot and then we would have to pay a higher price for a smaller lot. This a capitalistic, free market and wholesale/retail sales at work. We purchased 2 Kilo for 4KD and the vendor tossed another one in the bag for free.
I learned that the two security guards were not only to help keep the peace and protect the fish but also make sure sales were not made before the mini-auctions started. We tried to buy crab from a fisherman but the guard said no, wait for auction. Once the fish are placed on the blue tarp they must be sold by auction.
With the bags of fish and groceries we wanted to pay for a taxi on the way back but we did not want to pay the regular price of 1 ½ KD. Normally for an American, the price would be 3 – 4 KD. For non-American the price of a Taxi back to where we wanted to go would be only 1KD with hard bargaining. We had paid 1 ½ KD all week but did not want to pay this much today.
The first taxi would not take us for only 1 KD so we walked away for the bus. The 2nd taxi driver wanted 1 ½ KD so I offered 1 KD and he said OK. He didn’t actually say ok, he shrugged his shoulders OK. He was reluctant to take us for 1KD but if not we would take the bus for only 20% of 1KD, a few blocks walk, and only about 10 minute more. We rode the taxi back to the apartment for 1 KD.
The first taxi would not take us for only 1 KD so we walked away for the bus. The 2nd taxi driver wanted 1 ½ KD so I offered 1 KD and he said OK. He didn’t actually say ok, he shrugged his shoulders OK. He was reluctant to take us for 1KD but if not we would take the bus for only 20% of 1KD, a few blocks walk, and only about 10 minute more. We rode the taxi back to the apartment for 1 KD.
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