Escalating demand

Disciplines > Negotiation > Negotiation tactics > Escalating demand

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Ask for something from the other person. When you have gained this, ask for something else, even larger. Then something bigger still, and so on until they refuse (then take the biggest offer).

This may be done in exchange for nothing, just asking for concessions (and perhaps rewarding only with thanks or other non-substantial exchange). It may also be done when the other person asks

Example

Can I go out with my friends Dad? Can I have money for the cinema? And we're going to the Pizza House afterwards...

Can I come in? Can I stay the night?

Will you do this extra work? And keep going until it's done?

Discussion

When you ask for something from another person, and they comply, as Ben Franklin knew, they have to justify it to themselves, for example by concluding that you are a nice person and they wanted to give it to you all along. This frames you as a friend who can ask for other things. A small concession thus creates bonding and also the obligations of friendship.