Suppose a person defects from Cuba (a country that generally disregards the use of markets) to the United States and asks to see a market in action. Where would you take her? Did you give her a complete showing of this market?

Most students will provide answers such as the grocery store, a mall, or an automobile dealership, which are all good examples of the physical acts of trade and commerce. A physical "marketplace," however, is just the beginning of what economists mean when they talk about a "market." This question is useful in helping students understand that a market is not necessarily a place but a term used to describe a process. You may want to contrast the different types of markets mentioned such as supermarkets (posted prices), car dealerships (some price negotiation), and flea markets (relatively high levels of dickering).