--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're going to play the bargaining…" description: "\"If you're going to play the bargaining game, you just need to make the other side mad. You want them to get a little annoyed. Then you know that you've..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/christopher-voss-13010_bargaining_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-bargaining-g_2691229.jpg" --- # If you're going to play the bargaining game, you just need… ![“If you're going to play the bargaining game, you just need to make the other side mad. You want them to get a little annoyed. Then you know that you've come in with a good price.” quote by Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/christopher-voss-13010_bargaining_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-bargaining-g_2691229.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/christopher-voss-13010_bargaining_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-bargaining-g_2691229.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/751/christopher-voss-13010_bargaining_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-bargaining-g_2691229.jpg) > “If you're going to play the bargaining game, you just need to make the other side mad. You want them to get a little annoyed. Then you know that you've come in with a good price.” [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Provoking the counterpart can improve bargaining leverage. **In simple terms:** Make them slightly angry to negotiate better. Key Takeaway Use controlled irritation strategically. Themes negotiation psychology strategy Mood strategic cautious Type business psychological When to use this quote - business deals - conflict resolution Key Concepts emotional manipulation price tactics Questions to Reflect On - When is provocation appropriate? - How to avoid backlash? A Different Perspective Ethical concerns about manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [“But game theory only works when the rules are clearly set out ahead of time. In the Nash bargaining game here, neither of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffery-deaver/but-game-theory-only-works-when-the-rules-are-clearly-set-out-ahead/) [Jeffery Deaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffery-deaver/) > [“bargaining using sex either way you get screwed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-h-sin/bargaining-using-sex-either-way-you-get-screwed/) [R.H. Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-h-sin/) > [That which is gained at the bargaining table can be lost at the ballot box](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-reuther/that-which-is-gained-at-the-bargaining-table-can-be-lost-at-the/) [Walter Reuther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-reuther/) > [Money cant buy love, but it improves your bargaining position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/money-cant-buy-love-but-it-improves-your-bargaining-position/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you put it on the table as a bargaining chip, it becomes a bargaining chip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/if-you-put-it-on-the-table-as-a-bargaining-chip-it-becomes-a/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Never bargain, only negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/never-bargain-only-negotiate/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [“Bargaining with God is pointless. He already has a thousand followers that will do what you bargained to do for free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/bargaining-with-god-is-pointless-he-already-has-a-thousand-followers/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [I will not use people's lives as bargaining chips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/i-will-not-use-people-s-lives-as-bargaining-chips/) [Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/) > [This is a pattern-bargaining industry, like railroads. You need to pay market to get a contract at all, and without contracts, you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-munoz/this-is-a-pattern-bargaining-industry-like-railroads-you-need-to-pay/) [Oscar Munoz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-munoz/) > [My heart is a bargain today. Will you take it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/my-heart-is-a-bargain-today-will-you-take-it/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [Bargaining makes you come up with the best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-parker/bargaining-makes-you-come-up-with-the-best-ideas/) [Trey Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-parker/) > [If your first objective in the negotiation, instead of making your argument, is to hear the other side out, that's the only way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/if-your-first-objective-in-the-negotiation-instead-of-making-your/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [When you expect to get into a negotiation, you expect to be faced by a guy that's going to attack you, a guy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/when-you-expect-to-get-into-a-negotiation-you-expect-to-be-faced-by-a/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Negotiation is often described as the art of letting the other side have your way. You have to give the other side a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/negotiation-is-often-described-as-the-art-of-letting-the-other-side/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > ['Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 'What's the fair market price?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-term-in-negotiations-i-just/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) ## More by Christopher Voss > ['Fair' is, like, this incredibly overused term in negotiations: 'I just want what's fair.' 'What's the fair market price?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/fair-is-like-this-incredibly-overused-term-in-negotiations-i-just/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Negotiation is often described as the art of letting the other side have your way. You have to give the other side a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/negotiation-is-often-described-as-the-art-of-letting-the-other-side/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [When you expect to get into a negotiation, you expect to be faced by a guy that's going to attack you, a guy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/when-you-expect-to-get-into-a-negotiation-you-expect-to-be-faced-by-a/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [If your first objective in the negotiation, instead of making your argument, is to hear the other side out, that's the only way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/if-your-first-objective-in-the-negotiation-instead-of-making-your/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [What I really think of myself as is a person who's great at negotiation coaching and consulting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/what-i-really-think-of-myself-as-is-a-person-who-s-great-at/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Successful negotiation is not about getting to 'yes'; it's about mastering 'no' and understanding what the path to an agreement is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/successful-negotiation-is-not-about-getting-to-yes-it-s-about/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There's great power in deference. You ask somebody 'what' or 'how' questions. People love to be asked how to do something. They feel powerful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-s-great-power-in-deference-you-ask-somebody-what-or-how/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [You're supposed to have a passionate purpose as a CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/you-re-supposed-to-have-a-passionate-purpose-as-a-ceo/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Emotions aren't the obstacles to a successful negotiation; they are the means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/emotions-aren-t-the-obstacles-to-a-successful-negotiation-they-are/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [Every job that you take, the term that you should always include is, 'How can I be involved in the strategic projects that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/every-job-that-you-take-the-term-that-you-should-always-include-is/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [What drives you? What's your motivation? That's not emotion. That's passion. It's a different word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/what-drives-you-what-s-your-motivation-that-s-not-emotion-that-s/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [People typically only believe they're in a negotiation when dollars are involved. And maybe sometimes they're smart enough to see if there's a commodity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/people-typically-only-believe-they-re-in-a-negotiation-when-dollars/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There are a lot of negotiators that really will give in on a deal because being understood is more important than getting what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-are-a-lot-of-negotiators-that-really-will-give-in-on-a-deal/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [The first and best way to say 'no' to anyone is, 'How am I supposed to do that?' Now the other side actually has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/the-first-and-best-way-to-say-no-to-anyone-is-how-am-i-supposed-to-do/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [There are three kinds of yeses. There's commitment, confirmation, and counterfeit. People are most used to giving the counterfeit yes because they've been trapped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/there-are-three-kinds-of-yeses-there-s-commitment-confirmation-and/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) [Explore all 52 Christopher Voss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) ## More Bargaining quotes > [It is not a process of bargaining or give-and-take. The peace process is not about giving concessions. We will not allow any step which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/it-is-not-a-process-of-bargaining-or-give-and-take-the-peace-process/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/many-people-do-not-realize-that-where-unions-have-bargaining-rights/) [Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/) > [I think it is disgraceful. I think it is completely disgusting that you've got a candidate for prime minster who seems to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/i-think-it-is-disgraceful-i-think-it-is-completely-disgusting-that/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [If you have free universal health care and free education supported by public school taxes, then you have more bargaining power with your bosses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lind/if-you-have-free-universal-health-care-and-free-education-supported/) [Michael Lind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lind/) > [As developing countries became bigger traders, it was clear that the old way of doing business wouldn't fly. To get them back to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-altman/as-developing-countries-became-bigger-traders-it-was-clear-that-the/) [Daniel Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-altman/) > [As governor I would have made sure that I bargained fairly but firmly, been able to get the changes that were needed to balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-burke/as-governor-i-would-have-made-sure-that-i-bargained-fairly-but-firmly/) [Mary Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-burke/) > [“Employment bargains your life and time for a piece of currency”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/employment-bargains-your-life-and-time-for-a-piece-of-currency/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [We need a system where all of our teams have the opportunity to compete and to make a few dollars. That's not a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/we-need-a-system-where-all-of-our-teams-have-the-opportunity-to/) [David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/) > [If you do not get what you want, it is a sure sign that you did not seriously want it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/if-you-do-not-get-what-you-want-it-is-a-sure-sign-that-you-did-not/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Unions are for 'collective bargaining,' not individual bargaining. It follows that most of the achievements of a union, even if they were more impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mancur-olson/unions-are-for-collective-bargaining-not-individual-bargaining-it/) [Mancur Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mancur-olson/) > [Bargaining makes you come up with the best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-parker/bargaining-makes-you-come-up-with-the-best-ideas/) [Trey Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-parker/) > [That which man dreams of and to Which he aspires, unless fulfilled in his own lifetime, can produce no actual satisfaction to him. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/that-which-man-dreams-of-and-to-which-he-aspires-unless-fulfilled-in/) [Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/) > [ We didn't see \[the NBA lockout\] as a victory at all. It was far from what we set it out to accomplish in bargaining,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-silver/we-didn-t-see-the-nba-lockout-as-a-victory-at-all-it-was-far-from/) Adam Silver > [A man of faith does not bargain or stipulate with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/a-man-of-faith-does-not-bargain-or-stipulate-with-god/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) Browse all 154 Bargaining quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're going to play the bargaining game, you just need to make the other side mad. You want them to get a little annoyed. 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