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24 mei 2006
Avoiding Trouble at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market
The Farmer’s Market, bustling today, exerts a strange power over its patrons. It draws irritating, even hazardous behavior from the most reasonable people. Here are some market dangers to avoid (in "Continue Reading":
1. The Philosopher: Often, perambulating shoppers will fall into a meditative haze and drift to a stop right in the middle of the crowded market. Who knows what they are pondering? They could be working out Fermat’s Last Theorem, or plumbing the twists and turns of a Zen koan. Respect their absorption and quietly step around the spot where they stand rooted.
2. The Sidewalk Parker: There’s no better spot for a leisurely chat between 6 girlfriends, each one with a stroller the size of a Ford Escort, than right in the middle of the sidewalk. Watch for small, slow herds of strollers drifting into the impenetrable-wall formation, and be ready to hop into the street to get around them.
3. The Forager: Intent on making a meal from consuming every free sample available in the market, this hungry browser will wedge in front of paying customers to inquire about the chances of getting a free fruit or vegetable, while scrabbling up all the cut-up sample pieces from the sample bowl. When informed that the wares on display may be exchanged for small green pieces of paper, the Forager disdainfully stalks off to the next sample bowl. Hunger will drive people to behavioral extremes, so stay away from the free-sample bowl.
That’s a small sampling, but a good start to successful, irritation-free shopping.
Posted by ypsidixit at 24 mei 2006 12:59
Comments
I very rarely take free samples b/c my neurotic side is easily grossed out by the thought of countless hands touching the food. Herds of strollers drive me nuts, although I drive one myself (I never travel with a pack tho~ lone wolf). Usually, I unintentionally drive my stroller into the heels of the Philosopher, much to the delight of everyone around me.
This is why I much prefer Ypsi's market. Not to mention everything is so much CHEAPER!
Posted by: amanda at 24 mei 2006 16:59
The Ypsi market is much cheaper by far plus it is fun seeing the familiar faces year after year.
The selection is smaller, but I take a "if they don't have it, I don't need it" attitude.
Posted by: Laura at 24 mei 2006 17:04
I was planning on going to the ypsi one for the first time this weekend. Do you know when it opens? I'll try not to be one of the above mentioned :)
Posted by: ashes at 25 mei 2006 17:42
It opens around 7 and goes till 3 or so. Say hi to the urbane bookseller (and, if you like, sign his bus petition!)
Posted by: Laura at 25 mei 2006 20:27
Of course :)
Okay I was wondering about the bus issue. Isn't it the Ann Arbor Transportation? I mean maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't seem like they're in any fincial crisis so why don't they shell out some extra cash for it? It's not like they don't have a vast majority of their retail workers from over here or anything ...*sarcasm*...
Posted by: ashes at 26 mei 2006 12:59