Contributed Article by Irvin Springer: So last week I am walking by the Cathedral when a young guy vending on the wall looks in my direction and says “Fatman, you giving me a sale today.”
Of course I totally ignored him. Yes I know I am fat but to me that’s a disrespectful way to address a potential customer.
Passing back, I see him approaching a well dressed older lady working at a law firm shouting: “Shabs buy something nuh” then makes a comment about her ass when she totally ignores him.
I walked up to the young man, identified myself and told him what I did for a living. He is selling dahls, burgers and cakes in the basket made by his grandmother. I asked how many items has he sold. He responded only 2 as things rough, people not buying.
I asked him – doesn’t he believe his approach more turns off customers rather than attracts them? Instead of addressing people as ‘Fatman’, ‘shabs’, ‘my girl’, ‘coolie boy’ etc why doesn’t he try “good morning sir/madam I am a young entrepreneur can I interest you in some of my products?”
I also advised him that he is selling food so his appearance needs to be improved as he more looks like a drug dealer than a young businessman. He says he understands where I am coming from and will try it out.
So there I am walking away feeling great as I did a good deed for the day, he shouts out “Fatman, you passing to give me a sale tomorrow?”
I give up !!!!
Headline photo: Stock image of Castries Flea market
