An Israeli tourist has been caught haggling over the price of a free walking tour in Rome, leaving guides and fellow tourists utterly bewildered.
The complimentary walking tour, which covers the city’s most famous landmarks, is a popular choice among budget-conscious travelers. The Israeli tourist, 32-year-old Yitzhak Cohen, however, took the concept of a bargain to a whole new level.
Witnesses reported that upon learning of the free tour, Yitzhak proceeded to engage the tour guide in a heated negotiation. “I don’t think he quite understood that the tour was already free,” said one onlooker. “He kept insisting that he could get a better deal if he brought along more friends.”
The tour guide, a seasoned professional with years of experience, attempted to explain that there was no need for negotiations since the tour was already complimentary. Yitzhak, however, was not easily dissuaded.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the guide confessed. “He was so persistent that at one point, I almost considered paying him to join the tour just to end the conversation.”
Fellow tourists looked on with a mixture of amusement and confusion as Yitzhak continued his relentless pursuit of a better deal. Some even began to question whether the whole ordeal was a performance art piece, as the negotiation stretched on for over 30 minutes.
Eventually, Yitzhak seemed to accept the concept of a free walking tour and joined the group. However, his enthusiasm for haggling didn’t end there. Throughout the tour, Yitzhak was seen attempting to bargain with street vendors, statues, and even a stray cat that crossed his path.
“We were all just waiting to see what he would try to haggle with next,” said one fellow tourist, snapping pictures of Yitzhak’s antics to share on social media. “It was almost like a game. People started placing bets on whether he would try to negotiate with the Trevi Fountain or the Colosseum next.”
Despite the bemused reactions from those around him, Yitzhak appeared completely unfazed and continued his quest for the ultimate bargain.
When asked about his motivations for haggling over a free tour, Yitzhak simply shrugged and said, “It’s in my blood. I come from a long line of great negotiators. I once haggled my way into getting a discount on a free sample at the supermarket.”
Though Yitzhak’s dedication to the art of haggling may be unparalleled, his story serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the best negotiators must accept that some things in life are truly free. And when it comes to complimentary walking tours, perhaps it’s best to leave the bargaining skills at home.
