Fruits, vegetables, cheese, flowers... Place of life and appointment, going to the market is always a pleasant moment. If you like to stroll between the stalls in search of appetizing products, you easily forget that you are at the workplace of traders. President of the National Federation of France Markets, Monique Rubin lists the eternal incivilities that we have all already committed at least once, without even realizing it, and that insuffers traders.
To discover
- Recipes, tips, chefs' secrets... Download the Le Figaro Cuisine app
Negotiate prices hard
For Monique Rubin, negotiating the price of a product is an integral part of the market culture: "At the time, the market was a space for negotiation and this is still the case in many cultures. In France, our markets are very cosmopolitan, both on the side of traders and customers! So there is no harm in negotiating." If haggling is welcome, it must be carried out according to the rules of the art: "I sell hats in the markets," she continues, "and it is always a pleasure to make a price to a regular customer or to someone respectful, friendly. On the other hand, a client who negotiates incessantly, who tells me from the outset "I give you so much", no, I can't stand it. A negotiation policy to have in mind if you want to do good business.
Read alsoInfallible tips to choose your autumn fruits and vegetables
Handling products
Observe, touch, feel, exchange... Going to the market is an almost carnal experience. But since Covid-19, things have changed. "Before, our merchants used to sell everything in bulk and let customers help themselves. But when the epidemic hit, the handling of products by customers was banned. Some merchants were very worried, they were afraid of losing their customers." To their surprise, they discover an indisputable advantage: "They realized that they faced less loss because their products were no longer damaged. One of them even told me that he saves an average of three crates of fresh produce a day. Since that time, many prefer to provide small pre-prepared baskets."
Our most beautiful recipes combining fruit and cheese
In pictures
View slideshow14 photos
View slideshow14 photos
Abusing samples
"The market is a friendly, good-natured and very human place. In general, all parties involved are respectful." However, it happens that some customers seek to abuse the generosity of traders: "It happens that some cheat, by adding one or two strawberries in their tray, for example. So there, the shopkeeper is likely to flinch, "smiles the specialist. The same goes for the samples made available to onlookers: "If the customer complains, comments on the product in a negative way and in addition does not buy anything, then yes, it will be badly perceived. It's all about respect. Merchants are in sharing, so if we face a curious, friendly customer, we will give him a piece of cheese with pleasure, "concludes Monique Rubin.
In video, organic fruits and vegetables: why are they so expensive?
Buy from street vendors
In France, street selling creates significant conflicts with traders: "We face major problems of incivility with the sale of counterfeit, which sometimes leads to serious conflict situations". Paid all taxes, street vendors offer much more advantageous prices and attract part of the clientele: "This phenomenon is growing, especially in large cities, and traders suffer the consequences". Thus, we avoid these "wild trades" and we remain faithful to the regulars of the markets.
Take pictures of handicrafts
In the age of social media, any excuse is good for taking pictures: "Fruits, vegetables... I find it very beautiful and I always ask permission to take pictures." If immortalizing fresh products does not a priori have any disadvantages, it becomes problematic when it comes to artisanal creations: "Clothes, for example, it happens that customers take pictures to buy them cheaper then on the internet or, even worse, to make counterfeits. There, we make faces, especially when it is the original creations of the craftsmen, "explains Monique Rubin. For the specialist, it is enough simply to ask the authorization of the merchant rather than take out his mobile, not so discreetly finally.