Time to unbox the bias Malavika Varadan I remember walking into a car showroom a few years ago. “Malavika,” I told myself, “I’m finally here to buy myself a new car.” I thought that was a pretty clear brief. I was there to reward myself for a hard year. I was there to buy a car that would reflect my personality, keep me safe and that looked good. In spite of what I said, the car salesman on duty that evening did not hear or believe me. He must have been in his late 20s, but no matter what question I asked, he insisted on only sharing his answers, his opinions with the man who was with me. About 30 minutes of engine-talk later, I had to stop and tell him that it was I who was buying the car. For me to drive. I would be paying for it too. I never went back to that brand, but I learnt a lesson that day — that our biases are bad for business.