When is a rug a doormat?

craigslist rug

I’m sick of being nice, honest and midwestern.  If you’re midwestern and NOT nice and honest, please don’t be offended by my use of the stereotype. 

I just sold a rug on Craigslist for $35.  It was posted for $50.  Here’s the dialog of the trade.  You be the judge. 

Rug-Buying-Dude: Thanks for showing me the rug.  Hmmm…it really is a very SMALL rug.  $50 is a lot…  You know, I’m getting divorced and refurnishing my whole apartment…. giving her everything. 

Midwestern-Girl: Oh really?  Well congratulations!  So what do you think is fair?  Make me an offer.

RBD: Oh!  I thought you’d feel bad for me!  How about $30?

MWG: No, I’m divorced too.  It’s the start of a new chapter in your life.  Really!  How about $35?*

RBD: (Puzzled pause.)  Why didn’t you counter with $40?

MWG: Because I felt bad…

RBD: Ha!  So my story worked!  Do you have change for $40?

MWG: No.*   Oh, just kidding, I actually do. (reaching into my back pocket)

So let’s review.  I had 2 opportunities to stay firm and get more money, as indicated with asterisks* in the above dialogue.  I waffled on both.  WHY AM I SUCH A WOSS?

Granted, the real reason that I ”felt bad” is because I KNEW that the rug was heavily used and only semi-vacuumed, unlike MY craigslist story of rug newness and recent professional cleaning.  I felt that the rug wasn’t really worth what I was asking.  Furthermore, I had just eaten a large quantity of garlic in my fresh pesto dinner and was self-conscious of my deadly garlic breath talking to this craigslist dude.

So I lose because HIS fake story trumped MY fake story?   Because I’m unable to fib, even in a craigslist situation where it’s totally expected and possibly acceptable?   grrrrrr