Is the ancient art of bartering the way of the future?
Bartering, swapping, sharing, whatever you want to call the exchange of goods and/or services, the age-old way of trading is making a comeback. An hour’s IT expertise is today being swapped for a birthday cake, a Spanish lesson exchanged for some yoga tuition, and you’ll even find someone willing to paint a bedroom wall if the homeowner will return the favour by dog-sitting for a day.
The origins of bartering are thought to date back thousands of years, with historians believing a bartering system was first introduced by Mesopotamian groups in 6,000 BCE, then adopted by the Phoenicians. Long before money started to exchange hands, people were swapping livestock for building tools, freshly caught fish for weapons – even ancient Roman soldiers apparently bartered their services for much-sought-after salt.
Throughout the centuries, even with a monetary system in place, bartering hasn’t gone away, and it was particularly prevalent during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
When money is scarce and people are watching their spending, individuals investigate alternative ways to get the goods and services they need, which is one possible reason why we’re now seeing a return of the barter economy.
Modern-day bartering
In recent years, bartering has become a friendly informal transaction. It’s an easy, efficient, and effective way of sharing craftsmanship, knowledge, and resources. For those living in a tight-knit community, helping others has long been regarded as a neighbourly thing to do. Favours are often returned, so if you feed a cat and water plants while the person next door is on holiday, it might be acceptable to call upon their plumbing prowess when you discover a leaking tap. There’s mutual support and a willingness to exchange skills.
Technology is, of course, playing a significant role as a new bartering economy takes shape. Buyers are becoming increasingly comfortable purchasing goods online from sites that rely on mutual trust, so it follows that it’s acceptable to trade with strangers in a similar way. Yes, it’s always wise to be cautious, however interacting regularly with people you’ve never met is becoming more and more the norm.
Bartering is a current trend that all generations appear to be embracing, especially those who are environmentally conscious and rejecting society’s preoccupation with acquiring new consumer goods. Why own a lawnmower, sewing machine, or jump leads that you rarely use (and take up valuable room) when you can borrow the items instead – or get someone else to tackle the job for you?
However, the crucial element in any type of bartering is that both parties need to have something the other wants. It could be a coveted item (the aforementioned lawnmower), a specific area of expertise, or it might boil down to a person’s willingness to dedicate time.
Bartering today isn’t about getting bogged down discussing costs. Instead, an exchange depends on each individual’s perceived value. For example, a keen tennis player might be happy to help you improve your serve if, in return, you’ll give them a lift to a hospital appointment. Hypothetically, hiring a sports coach might not equate to the same cost as hiring a taxi, but if both parties are satisfied with what they’re receiving, then it’s a successful barter.
Exchange network
Word of mouth is an easy way to set up partnerships. A few conversations about your sewing skills and the next thing you know, you could be altering a gown in exchange for help at your next charity trivia night. There are also online networks and platforms, though bear in mind that some require a fee.
The benefits
Saving money and getting jobs done are not the only rewards of bartering today. It’s also a way of keeping skills alive and introducing new ones to others. Just recall the everyday tasks your parents or grandparents would do without a second thought. Taking up curtains, fixing a shelf to the wall, pruning trees, wiring a powerpoint – younger generations often become stuck when faced with these challenges, while some older people might fear modern technology. The solution? Swap a bread-baking tutorial for a course in online banking.
It’s refreshing to interact with others who respect and admire your talents, and for some retirees or those who are vulnerable, bartering can help to alleviate loneliness and keep people active, both physically and mentally. Self-esteem and self-worth get a boost, wellbeing improves, and it does wonders to build community spirit.
Friendships can also form as a result of bartering initiatives, and it might widen your circle of acquaintances, sometimes with others from different cultures and backgrounds. Race, class, and gender are not important, people are only defined by what they bring to the table.
HOW TO GET STARTED
- Work out what you can barter.
Can you knit or babysit? Is there a hobby you could teach? Everyone has something to offer, so have a good think about what you could trade.
- Consider who to trade with.
What you want will determine who you approach. You might need to put the feelers out among family, friends, and workmates if your request is more specific. A community network may be a good option.
- Ask for a favour.
No one gets if they don’t ask, so when you’ve identified a suitable someone, get in touch and see what they say. If it’s a no, simply walk away. A yes and it’s time to agree the finer details.
