Marion Smith weighing cucumbers at the Spanish Town Market. - contributed
MARION Smith believes that by the sweat of her brow she will eat bread. Her brow has been sweating as a higgler for the past 12 years.
Marion sells oranges, carrots, irish potatoes, escallion, and pepper among other produce in the Spanish Town Market.
Just seeing Marion for the first time is enough to tell that she is serious about her job. She usually invites passing customers to take a look at her goods. "Come, sweet oranges over here, nice and juicy. Makes nutritious juice for you and your children," she will say.
If she doesn't succeed at first she does not stop trying. "So yu not patronising me. Come along and buy a little something, nice lady," Marion will add.
Selling in the Spanish Town Market is no simple task for a woman who has to ensure she gets good prices for her products. This is not easy with so many of her colleagues trying to sell their produce cheaper.
"You have to try and keep you customers and keep attracting more. When they pass with their children, give dem something, a mango or an orange. Talk to them for 'memba, is your customers," she said.
Marion said she was self-employed and this was what led her to become a higgler. She started out with two bags of oranges, then after she found returns were good, she started selling others things, like tomatoes.
The money she makes helps to support her four children who attend school.
Marion feels there is the need for the government to improve sanitary conveniences at the market.
