Posted by Connie Mettler on September 10, 2009 at 11:37am
So here we are, everyone (and I mean everyone) working hard to keep up the spirits in a downtrodden economy, all the artists looking sharp with beautiful booths heading into what we all hope will be a profitable weekend. Everything is in place.
The show opens at 3 pm on Friday. Already on Friday evening we are hearing reports from the artists that one of the artists is announcing to everyone within hearing distance of his booth that he hasn't done a show this bad in 35 years. We continue to hear this on Saturday. When I visit his booth I hear him pissing and moaning. I look over his work (a jeweler) and think it's pretty nice, maybe I need some new earrings (did you ever meet a woman who didn't?) He starts in on his lament and finally I say, "don't you think it would be better for your sales if you weren't so negative? Maybe I was going to buy something here."
His retort was that I wouldn't be the first person to walk away. Already someone else who had the money ready had left him behind.!!! Geez.
Then we received this email in the Arts, Beats & Eats office on Tuesday:
I first would like to say our family has made it a point to travel from Northern Michigan for the last 3 years on Labor Day weekend to enjoy your wonderful festival. We love the atmosphere, and we do all of our school clothes shopping at Great Lakes Crossing mall. This year, however, I was very upset with the attitude of a certain vendor at your festival, namely XXXX XXXXXX. My 18 year old son recently enlisted in the Army and my husband was wearing one of his shirts that said "There's Strong and then there's Army Strong". I walked away from him for a moment to look at X's booth, and as I approached I heard him say to me (I was the only one there at the time) "Oh, there's an army guy. Why don't we all join up and go over to Iraq and steal all their oil and kill some people!" I was extremely offended at this comment and could not even respond. I simply walked away. I decided it would be better to let a committee member know the inappropriate comments made by this vendor, and my hope is that when I look at your listing of vendors for next year's festival he will not be on it. If he is, I and my family will not attend, and I will be sure to pass his name along to all I know. I'm sure you agree this was an inappropriate venue to air his obvious hostility toward the soldiers who are simply following the orders of command and risking their lives so vendors like him can safely sell their wares on the streets of Pontiac.
Thank you,
She included her contact information, which, of course, I am not including here.
What do you think? Any advice for this guy, or for us?
300 pound, redheaded, vision impaired, learning disabled, gay man (plus all that's off on the inside) signing off of this discussion, because I have no clue where it's going now, but if your'e even more damaged than that, you can ride this train to Crazytown without me.
Eric, allow me to be perfectly CLEAR with you. TAKE issue with the issue and stop trying to read more into, or make things more than they are. YOU are reading and making assumptions based on my statements and yet no such things are in those statements.
I explained what could happen when you make discriminatory statements towards someone else. Was "I" personally being aggressive towards the other person, did I say "I" was going to do something? You say I am being agressive? How? do you know the tone I said it in? Do you realize how many crazies are out there, dressed in normal clothes, with normal hair, and all it can take is the wrong words to set them off? If you find something doesn't set right with you, then ask the tone it was written in. Words are words, and I can't control how you interpret what I say. But if what I wrote saves the writer from saying those words in public and dealing with a crazy person, then that means she will be more sensitive.
The likelihood of coming across someone taking offense and reacting in a violent way is very possible in person - all you need to do is read the daily news and it's everywhere. We all need to be careful and be made more aware of our actions.
Eric, you aren't standing up for anyone, you are looking for something and someone to attack.
Discrimination comes in all different shapes and sizes, be careful what side you think you need to be on. The statement as it is, is offensive, and my response is how I have seen people who have no boundaries react. If the person who wrote this feels comfortable saying it in public, she should be careful because unless she knows her audience she may come across that one crazy...
None of us should ever be that comfortable in our public speech, ever. And written word, if you don't understand or are confused means you need to ask, not assume.
I read the original poster's statement's use of weight to indicate a comparative of general frames of average persons. A 200 lb. person would typically be of overall structure to have a larger respiratory system than a person roughly half that volume. It appears to indicate general dimensions, not any intent of commentary on height/weight ratio. I saw no derogatory intent. However, it was a single general statement not taking respiratory health nor individual height into consideration, so it didn't branch off into every possible height/weight/lung-health permutation and include/exclude each appropriately for full and proper political correctness. Such is the pitfall of benign general statements. It leaves them to the reader's imagination based on the personal lens through which they read it. You lens seems to create motes of discrimination in the shadows where there may be none.
As for bullying, I quote you:
"I hope you don't say such a thing face-to-face with people different in size from you if you are that 98 lb person or you may find yourself without any teeth. Because smoke will be the least of your worries."
I don't recall saying anything anywhere close to such violence or wish of harm in any of my posts. Who is being the bully?
My last post did have an edge to it in correlating your aggressiveness versus your puzzlement regarding the treatment you claimed in the incident you related. And if you still don't see any relationship, accept my apology for a failed attempt to enlighten.
Never had a problem with cigarette smoke at any Colorado show. Usually in the mountain towns there may be an outdoor smoking ban due to fire danger. In regards to thunderstorms, I have seen "flat landers" panic at the black sky and first flash of lightning and start packing it in. Locals know how to calculate distance lightning is hitting and how it behaves. If it gets too close, go sit in your truck until it passes. Most mountain thunderstorms last an hour or less, but it can snow in July. You just need to know the environment you are in and be prepared. Shoppers seem to know how to handle mountain weather too. Sure sounds like a lot of eastern promoters don't treat artist any better than they treat livestock. Livestock Inspector and/ or County Health would have been all over the alpaca exhibitor and promoter out here.
Far from it Eric. I am hyper sensitive towards any type of bullying towards anyone for any reason. I used to have to teach people about that very thing where I worked so you are barking up the wrong tree. I didn't appreciate having to read it here in print - inappropriate anywhere at anytime, so I am glad I got your attention but take it out on the originator, not me.
That weight statement is by federal law discriminatory and, unnecessary.
Charlene Marsh Quote from previous email: "Also, a 200 pound person may be able to tolerate more smoke and CO than a 98 pound person. Ultimately, we are responsible to look after our own health and safety and make sure we take steps to protect ourselves before a situation becomes critical."
HUH? respiratory problems are respiratory problems. Someone with asthma can weigh anything and still have problems it has nothing to do with size. I can't tolerate even a wiff of cigarette smoke without my lungs starting to cave in, neither can several family members, all of us weigh different. I hope you don't say such a thing face-to-face with people different in size from you if you are that 98 lb person or you may find yourself without any teeth. Because smoke will be the least of your worries.
Just a follow up that common sense prevails at Colorado shows. Forest fires 15-20 miles away can produce smoke at a show and the fire does not pose a threat if the wind is right. Show directors and security are on top mountain weather issues. Last year high winds were forecast for last day of show and artist were given the option of shutting down Sunday night or staying open Monday. About 60% did so but a few of us hardy souls stayed open Monday until noon and made more money. A person with repiratory issues would obviously be given special consideration with fire smoke. I also read that management at a Colorado Springs show shut it down when the Waldo Canyon Fire encroached on the town. They were giving breaks on this year's booth fees to compensate artists. If you do shows in Colorado you need to stay alert to your environment. "Mountains make their own weather" is good to remember.
Carol - Thanks for reinforcing my point that if the organizer is disrespectful of the exhibitors, is it really an event you want to maintain a relationship with?
And Charlene - again, as I suggested, if you need to leave for any reason, weather, environment, health, etc., always try to inform the organizer in advance of your departure if you can. Most are understanding if there's a valid cause. (If not, see above.) If you can't reach them before you must leave -- you are getting too ill, the weather is really harmful to your merchandise, etc. -- then touch base as soon as possible afterwards to explain yourself. Once more, if you have a valid reason for departing early, letting someone know what happened is better than just evaporating without a word before or after. Even if you had a legitimate cause for going, if the organizer isn't looped in on it, they may just see you as just another flaky exhibitor and not trust you enough to have you back.
BTW while we were setting up and I was "finally" made aware of "what" was setting up within 6' of my booth, I stopped what I was doing and asked to be moved, actually I begged, pleaded, I even asked if there was something I did that would put me in such a horrible location...nothing worked. I was told no, and glared at. I was so shocked and stunned thinking what??? Here this woman called me weekly asking for advice, etc throughout every year and then she pulled this stunt on me and treated me like dirt.
Comments
300 pound, redheaded, vision impaired, learning disabled, gay man (plus all that's off on the inside) signing off of this discussion, because I have no clue where it's going now, but if your'e even more damaged than that, you can ride this train to Crazytown without me.
Eric, allow me to be perfectly CLEAR with you. TAKE issue with the issue and stop trying to read more into, or make things more than they are. YOU are reading and making assumptions based on my statements and yet no such things are in those statements.
I explained what could happen when you make discriminatory statements towards someone else. Was "I" personally being aggressive towards the other person, did I say "I" was going to do something? You say I am being agressive? How? do you know the tone I said it in? Do you realize how many crazies are out there, dressed in normal clothes, with normal hair, and all it can take is the wrong words to set them off? If you find something doesn't set right with you, then ask the tone it was written in. Words are words, and I can't control how you interpret what I say. But if what I wrote saves the writer from saying those words in public and dealing with a crazy person, then that means she will be more sensitive.
The likelihood of coming across someone taking offense and reacting in a violent way is very possible in person - all you need to do is read the daily news and it's everywhere. We all need to be careful and be made more aware of our actions.
Eric, you aren't standing up for anyone, you are looking for something and someone to attack.
Discrimination comes in all different shapes and sizes, be careful what side you think you need to be on. The statement as it is, is offensive, and my response is how I have seen people who have no boundaries react. If the person who wrote this feels comfortable saying it in public, she should be careful because unless she knows her audience she may come across that one crazy...
None of us should ever be that comfortable in our public speech, ever. And written word, if you don't understand or are confused means you need to ask, not assume.
Carol,
I read the original poster's statement's use of weight to indicate a comparative of general frames of average persons. A 200 lb. person would typically be of overall structure to have a larger respiratory system than a person roughly half that volume. It appears to indicate general dimensions, not any intent of commentary on height/weight ratio. I saw no derogatory intent. However, it was a single general statement not taking respiratory health nor individual height into consideration, so it didn't branch off into every possible height/weight/lung-health permutation and include/exclude each appropriately for full and proper political correctness. Such is the pitfall of benign general statements. It leaves them to the reader's imagination based on the personal lens through which they read it. You lens seems to create motes of discrimination in the shadows where there may be none.
As for bullying, I quote you:
"I hope you don't say such a thing face-to-face with people different in size from you if you are that 98 lb person or you may find yourself without any teeth. Because smoke will be the least of your worries."
I don't recall saying anything anywhere close to such violence or wish of harm in any of my posts. Who is being the bully?
My last post did have an edge to it in correlating your aggressiveness versus your puzzlement regarding the treatment you claimed in the incident you related. And if you still don't see any relationship, accept my apology for a failed attempt to enlighten.
Far from it Eric. I am hyper sensitive towards any type of bullying towards anyone for any reason. I used to have to teach people about that very thing where I worked so you are barking up the wrong tree. I didn't appreciate having to read it here in print - inappropriate anywhere at anytime, so I am glad I got your attention but take it out on the originator, not me.
That weight statement is by federal law discriminatory and, unnecessary.
Perhaps we just has a bit of a peek behind the curtain of your little Alpaca-lypse situation.
Charlene Marsh Quote from previous email: "Also, a 200 pound person may be able to tolerate more smoke and CO than a 98 pound person. Ultimately, we are responsible to look after our own health and safety and make sure we take steps to protect ourselves before a situation becomes critical."
HUH? respiratory problems are respiratory problems. Someone with asthma can weigh anything and still have problems it has nothing to do with size. I can't tolerate even a wiff of cigarette smoke without my lungs starting to cave in, neither can several family members, all of us weigh different. I hope you don't say such a thing face-to-face with people different in size from you if you are that 98 lb person or you may find yourself without any teeth. Because smoke will be the least of your worries.
Carol - Thanks for reinforcing my point that if the organizer is disrespectful of the exhibitors, is it really an event you want to maintain a relationship with?
And Charlene - again, as I suggested, if you need to leave for any reason, weather, environment, health, etc., always try to inform the organizer in advance of your departure if you can. Most are understanding if there's a valid cause. (If not, see above.) If you can't reach them before you must leave -- you are getting too ill, the weather is really harmful to your merchandise, etc. -- then touch base as soon as possible afterwards to explain yourself. Once more, if you have a valid reason for departing early, letting someone know what happened is better than just evaporating without a word before or after. Even if you had a legitimate cause for going, if the organizer isn't looped in on it, they may just see you as just another flaky exhibitor and not trust you enough to have you back.
BTW while we were setting up and I was "finally" made aware of "what" was setting up within 6' of my booth, I stopped what I was doing and asked to be moved, actually I begged, pleaded, I even asked if there was something I did that would put me in such a horrible location...nothing worked. I was told no, and glared at. I was so shocked and stunned thinking what??? Here this woman called me weekly asking for advice, etc throughout every year and then she pulled this stunt on me and treated me like dirt.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next