Le Blanc

Yesterday I went to the tailor.  Actually, I went a few days ago but only the apprentice was there so I left her my drawing and pagne (African fabric) and she told me to return yesterday and the real tailor would take my measurements.  Before I left I asked for the price of the completed garment.  She replied 1,100 CFA, a decent price so I agreed and left.  I happened upon this tailor while exploring shops far behind the marché (with a male friend of course) and noticed that this particular tailor had beautiful garments hanging and was actually a woman.  Most of the other tailors are men.  I thought to myself, this poor woman has a terrible location, seems to make lovely complets (outfits), and she is a woman running a business!  Naturally, I wanted to give her my business.  When I returned, the tailor recorded my measurements and we discussed the picture I had drawn so that all of the aspects of this tunic shirt that I want her to make.  She asked me if I wanted the fabric doubled and I said yes because my pagne is of lower quality.  Again I asked for the price and was shocked when she replied 4000 CFA.  (Side note:  I paid 2,250 CFA for another tailor to make a dress.  Secondary side note:  this all went down en Français).   I replied, “No, no, the other lady said 1,100 CFA.  That is not a good price.”  She said, “But the fabric is doubled and that is a good price for le blanc.”  I knew what she was saying but since she pissed me off I decided to be a jerk.  I said, “Le blanc, le blanc, what is that?”  She smiled unsure of what to say or how to explain.  Finally, she said Nassara.  Nassara is the Mooré word for white person and I hear as at least 12 children scream out to me, “Nassara, Nassara, comment tu-t’appelle?” every time I ride my bike anywhere.  I politely informed her that I would not pay that price, I am a poor stagière who works for the Peace Corps, I no longer wanted it doubled, just the plain shirt, I will only pay 1,100 CFA and if she does a good job I might come back for a complet.  Boom.  We will see how this turns out tomorrow.