Friday, May 8, 2009

Dealing with Festival Blues

By Ian Kleine

There's not much to consider when attending a festival for the fair. That is of course, unless you've been doing this for almost the whole part of your life. Managing and carrying your own table or booth can be somewhat distressing, panic-inducing, and hyperventilating. There are a lot of things that could happen while you're at the booth and a lot of things can and WILL happen.

Boredom. The number one enemy of most trade and fair holders. Boredom strikes with little mercy and in a quick fashion. When you have nothing to do in your booth (and oftentimes this will happen, especially on a slow day), when there's no customer, or if generally, nothing exciting happens at all. There's but one thing you can do to quell this away: do something. Anything. At least something that can distract you and your ensuing boredom.

Customer relations. Let's admit that most customers view salespersons and/or people that handle the tables as one with an intellect lower than theirs (probably because people attribute that most sales person barely finish high schoolyes, I'm just pointing out the general consensus. No offense to our hardworking salesmen and women.)

Be at ease. You know who you are, and you know your capabilities. If you do find a customer that is very difficult, and very demeaning with his or her attitude towards you. Step up, but don't overpower. The basic component of tai chi comes to mind, exhaust your opponent with their own energy. Or at least, maybe let unsightly comments pass from one ear to the next.

The usual humidity, frizzy hair, sweat and dankness, and all other things could factor and add up to the weight of irritation and annoyance. You need to suck it up and brave the reality of handling a table. That, or get a friend or companion to join you. It'll halve the problem up.

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