You're about to make a big purchase. Your salesperson happens to be someone who may be attracted to you. The moment they see you, they approach you. They want to make sure you have the "best experience" possible.

That phrase does not worry you, but the immediate flirtation does. If it's not immediate, it comes sauntering around the corner after you make your purchasing intentions clear. They/she/he has you at that moment.

Let's say you're purchasing a car.

You go into the process prepared in hopes that this factor cuts down the bullshit you might have to encounter: sales tactics, ridiculously undermining package deals, and making hype out of things that do not matter.

You look as professional as possible. If not, then you go into the scenario feeling like a professional -- no salesperson will mess with you.

And it all works out to your advantage. Until you're standing next to the salesperson, waiting on other people to complete their ends of the sales job, and that person says:

"This deal is ONLY for you."

This statement may have come after an earlier question of "How old are you?" or "Are you single?" You know that your answer, whatever it is, will be disregarded. Everything starts to feel more like a ploy as soon as that question flies out of anyone's mouth with the wrong tone echoing it.

"I'll give you this deal as long as you _________"

Enter: the "art" of the "deal."

Maybe it is a photograph together. Maybe it's worse.

Whether you choose to comply with your salesperson's attempt at exploiting you, the pressure you feel is enormous -- especially when you cannot risk to do so otherwise. When money is tight and the need is great, can you afford to risk telling off the person who holds the power? If you do tell them off or tell their supervisor/whomever, what does each player receive in return?

This scenario plays out in more scenes than just "A Day at the Car Dealership."

Do you know just how frustrating it is to be unable to avoid disadvantage or discrimination or power or influence because you cannot afford to do so?

It's not "just a picture" or "just one date."

It's exploitative.

This is not to say that every single time this occurs, it is a means of utilizing and exerting power over people. I have had people ask to take my picture as "proof of a happy customer," salespeople my family and friends know and trust, who have asked me similar questions to those exampled earlier.

Unfortunately, that is not a guarantee every time.

Some people harness a good gut instinct for this kind of stuff; they possess the ability to notice when a good deal goes bad or something turns sour. Others, however, do not.

When you hear someone discuss how frightening or daunting something such as going to a car dealership is, their past experiences may have led them to this feeling.

And no one wants to be exploited.