First, you need to convince the seller that you are a serious buyer and aren’t just browsing. Ask the price and express surprise or disappointment in words or by facial expression. The seller will respond with something like, “This is the market price,” or “You won’t find it cheaper elsewhere.” You can say that the shop in the next street sells it cheaper, and quote a much lower price than the one you are prepared to pay.
He will lower his asking price a bit. If you aren’t prepared to pay it, or you enjoy the game for its own sake, raise your own price but don’t match his yet. Depending on the seller’s and your resilience, this back-and-forth may go on for some time. When he reaches his absolute lowest price, he will often signify it by saying, “XXX thousand tumans, last offer.” You can then agree or still not make a purchase.
Once you have agreed on a price, your Iranian interlocutor will say qâbeli nâdare—“It is not worthy of you” (i.e., “You can have it for free”). Shopkeepers and taxi drivers also say the same when you ask how much you should pay them.
This offer is, of course, not to be taken at face value even if repeated, as it only indicates the speaker’s goodwill and pure intention. The idea expressed by this offer is that in an ideal world you would be his guest, but this is not an ideal world, and everyone has to get paid. The response to this offer is khâhesh mikonam (please), which acknowledges the intention, followed by your payment.
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