Daily Prompt : Barter System

If the world worked on a barter system, how would you fare? Would you have services to barter? Would you be successful, or would you struggle?

As a child, I used to trade my dolls with friends and now services with brother. I’m watching a movie and am too lazy to haul myself out of bed to get some water, my brother brings it for me because I did the same for him the last time. 

But to live in a world that works on barter system and to be successful, one has to be multifaceted. Everyone does not want the same thing. I get groceries and trade my help of organizing their store or I need to revamp my wardrobe and I convince the store manager to allow me to upgrade his billing system- oh, wait would they still have one?

Moreover you really need to get under the skin of the other person- understand what is important to her/him (isn’t it annoying when you have to mention the other gender all the time? And when you don’t mention her- they say you are sexist) -so that you can strike a good bargain and you aren’t ripped off. Well, you see- this is where I would fail. I never have the heart to say no and I despise bargaining. I’d like to believe the other person wouldn’t deceive me and agree instantly with street vendors while my friends purchase the same things at half price.

But I think if the world were to work with barter system, we might finally buy only what we need instead of everything  we want. With no more magic cards which buy you dazzling purple merchandise to decorate your room( never mind the strings attached with swiping that magic card too often), I think you would just be tired to put yourself through all those hassles of finding a way to buy pretty rugs and fancy watches. We will finally learn to make do with the essentials- making more time for the important things in life.