What’s Gotta Go

Traveling in New York right now, and of course getting my fill of Times Square at night. Times Square is something that is chock full of things to experience in a very small area. No big revelation there, advertisers make the most of this well traveled area by plastering it with billboards in every possible square inch, and some round ones too. I am proud to say I had my name and a photo up for a day in bright lights care of Kodak Picture of the Day. Sure, there’s a winner every day, so it isn’t quite the lottery, but I still smile when I think about it.

Not all advertisers can afford the grandeur, so the small comedy clubs, uh, “other” clubs and who knows what else throws their minions on the street to make sure you are aware that they are just around the corner and ready for business. These range, currently from blue haired Samsung ladies on banner clad Segways to 2 second comedians trying to capture your attention as you pass by. All that works for me, I can walk by or be engaged at my heart’s content. The ones that bother me are the pushy leaflet bearing guys that are obviously paid per piece distributed. They say and do just about anything to get that piece of paper in your hand. Get in your way, act rude when you don’t respond to their opening line hoping to prick your conscious for at least some response, or just flat out try to shove that paper in your hand so some involuntary reflex causes you to show a slight response that you are in fact going to grab on.

These purveyors of someone’s wares are no fools. Native or at least seasoned New Yorker’s treat them as part of the scenery, background noise that they likely don’t even notice any longer. Just another obstacle to maneuver as you work towards your destination as you carry on that important cell phone conversation. No, these hawkers are seeking out the ever present tourist who can be suckered into their methods; and frankly, they work.

This trade is not unique to New York of course. Head on over to Las Vegas for a weekend and every “personal performance” outfit happy to come to your room has a “magazine” being distributed. If you happen to be there during some convention, they are out in droves. Who says they don’t know their demographics, eh. So, sadly this practice is not likely to be a fad. Might as well do as the natives do; avoid eye contact, don’t look up admiring the signs, and whatever you do, don’t talk to anyone. Yeah, that’ll be how I enjoy the Big Apple.