>>60819684Contrary to pop psychology bullshit, all relationships, including good ones, are transactional. You willingly associate with people who have goods to trade, such as companionship, shared interests, a sense of belonging, security, etc. You wouldn't be engaging in the relationship if you weren't getting something out of it in return. That would be equivalent to slavery. And lasting business relationships are negotiated, and mutually beneficial over long periods of time. Sometimes it's a little lopsided, or not quite in your budget, but that's okay as long as it roughly averages out in the end.
Now imagine that every business in your town is run by a known scam artist or price gouger who will actively try to prevent you from doing business with anyone else. That's the best answer I can give without blogposting. It takes a toll. The fact that I can reliably come /here/, or meet people in the world, and finally have healthy, meaningful conversations where it feels like we both got something good out of our time together says a lot about my environment, and why it makes me so angry/sad. I would rather talk to /orc/ than most people I know IRL because you willingly ask for and pay fair prices.
So that said:
What're ya buyin'? 