cultural observation #1

They don’t believe in price lists:

When inquiring about the monthly, weekly, or yearly prices for membership- be it membership to a gym, a library- or perhaps the schedule and prices for touristy adventure packages like boat rides at Iguazu, you will never be handed a set price list. More often than not, the person behind the counter will take an existing leaflet or flyer, and in between its blank spaces will proceed to WRITE OUT the prices, time schedules, or whatever other information you are asking for.
The reason for this is as unknown to me as it was to the people I inquired about it to. Perhaps the economy has induced such a frequent need to augment prices that it has become economical to not print price sheets because they change so often. Or, and perhaps more culturally appropriate, they feel that they have a better chance to sell you their product (membership, tourist package) if they can explain to you exactly what you’ll be getting by purchasing their service.
To me, it seemed like a waste of time- everytime. Todo el mundo (“everyone” in Spanish: one of my favorite translations) comes into gyms inquiring about prices, tempting themselves into seeing just how much they would be willing to fork over for their New Years resolution. And thus every time one of these hesitant hopefuls feels reinspired to change their lives, the person behind the desk needs to take around 3:30 min to explain to them their membership package. Is this the inner American in me? The one that doesnt have 3:30min to spend, when all im seeking is a cost-benefit analysis, which can usually be achieved without interpersonal interaction. Clearly I welcome the Spanish conversation, but speaking from a more time-is-money perspective, I guess I have yet to appreciate their custom service approach.