I know you've all seen them. The signs. Do they really think that's what I was waiting for? Do they really think that a guy dancing on the corner waving at me holding his sign for a free cell phone or tax preparation assistance would be the final straw to get me in the door? If anything, it's deterred me from doing so.
I almost feel bad for these guys. Not so much on those days with fantastic weather. But for the most part, I bet they don't get paid enough to wave at perfect strangers while "shaking it". And then I think, with some headphones and some over-sized sunglasses, I guess it wouldn't be THAT bad. Get a nice tan from the sun (albeit one with some evil farmer lines), fresh air by being outside all day (although you mostly just breathe the car fumes at the assigned intersection), and listening to tunes all day (hope they didn't forget to charge the ipod or Zune last night).
My favorite is a guy that works not 4 blocks from our house. He works for Big Daddy Pizza (which is really not ANYBODY'S Daddy when it comes to good pizza). He is on the corner of 7th West and 5th South every weekday and sometimes Saturdays. He appears to be about 45-50 years old. He has a big yellow sign advertising the $5 pizza being offered (may as well eat your $5 bill). This sign is on a big wooden stake, and it stands a bit taller than his 6ft frame. He has his sign and his supplies, usually consisting of a water cooler, a fat book, and a bag with snacks, etc. I don't have a problem with him being there overall, but I am really curious as to what he gets paid hourly. He takes his sign, sticks it in the ground and it stands independently. He then settles in for a hard days work and sits to read his book. He gets paid to read his book, while the guy working next to him literally dances for his peanuts. Is it because the deli (employer) of the guy #2 is within eye-shot of his employing establishment? Pizza man is getting away with something.
I've thought of calling Big Daddy's and letting them know they may as well just post a sign there. Not pay anyone because he doesn't do anyone any favors. (The dancing deli guy is doing all the work, attracting all the attention with his boot-scootin'-boogie moves.) Then again, I could also ask if they were hiring for a sign position. I could post one in my yard and get paid by the hour whilst eating bon bons and watching Oprah. Because that's what stay at home mothers do.
