“I think all modest people have trouble asking for compensation, especially if compensation is not their only motivation for the work. Many of us do work we love, and the compensation, though necessary, is not the prime motivator. Stating the compensation makes it seem as if we are totally pecuniary”
I’m with you on this, ronrsr. It takes a lot of experience discussing these transactions upfront to feel comfortable stating the fees. Those in the service industry seem to have this problem much more than product vendors. I can just see the shadchanim being asked for their fees, and that apologetic look when they need to state them. I just used the services of a carpenter to repair something, and when I asked him the price, he stated one while looking apologetic and explaining why it needed to be that price, then offered a lower price without even waiting for my reaction. Needless to say, I paid him the original, higher price, and I hope I gave him confidence by telling him that most people, like myself, don’t provide their services for free or for inadequate compensation, and he should feel comfortable charging the full amount. He left after the job smiling from ear to ear.