From the early days of American frontier trading to the rise of modern consumer culture, negotiating prices has been an integral part of American commerce. The Great Depression further solidified the practice of price bargaining, as economic hardship necessitated finding the best possible deal. Today, real estate markets, car dealerships, and even retail sectors encourage price negotiation as a sign of financial savvy.
Tom Buchanan
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan’s confrontational business dealings reveal a willingness to negotiate aggressively, reflecting a broader American acceptance of price negotiation as a sign of power and influence.