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Years ago, when I lived and worked (!) in the big city, I would often observe an inspiring sight. Usually seen in passing as I made my daily commute, on many of the exit ramps to the interstate I was wont to travel. There would be a “salesman” (or more likely young woman) plying their trade. Most of them offering hapless motorists momentarily stuck in traffic on the off-ramp, a product of one kind or another for sale (not what you’re thinkin’).
Most of the time it was a small bunch of flowers. Carnations seemed popular? But if there was a holiday nearing, there might be roses around Mothers Day or lilies near Easter. Fourth of July always brought out the little American flags.
One thing seemed just slightly out of kilter to me? Most of the people standing there in the hot sun (it was south Florida) doin’ the selling were oriental? It occurred to me that they were most likely “new” to this country. I mean, had they had been here awhile (maybe had time to became “legal” citizens) they might have pursued “real” jobs, out of that hot sun?
They all seemed to have a few things in common. Thick soled shoes or sneakers, light breezy clothing, dark suntans and Big Smiles. They also shared an almost universal ability to do math and make change fast (If you asked for it as you made a purchase!).
How I wonder where that ability has gone in today's world? (bet they still have it). Unlike our modern check-out counter people using their “beeping” cash registers, who still have difficulty counting out the already electronically specified amount of change. I wonder if maybe beeping horns and dodging traffic could re-inspire that ability
Those folks were quick on their feet, moving between the stopped cars with a sure-footed gait. Put me in mind of the quick moves of a small herding dog, dodging between and under the hooves of sheep on the run.
Even though many contemporaries of mine derided them as tax dodgers, deadbeats, “too lazy to get a real job”. Or simply “foreigners” (the majority were clearly of “foreign” descent). This made no sense to me, since what they did was hard work, for what appeared to be meager rewards.
Tax consequences aside, I considered them to be the epitome of entrepreneurial spirit. They were (apparently) not on welfare, not committing any crime, not panhandling (in the strictest sense of the word). They appeared to me to be energetic self-starters, self-employed and pursuing their vision (working hard at it) of the American Dream.
I don’t feel the same way today.
At least not about some folks who do similar (?) things along our highways and byways. The way things appear to me, the roadside “entrepreneurs” I observe today actually are tax dodgers?
Cruising around the roads lately, you’ve noticed all these “seasonal” businesses cropping up (like noxious weeds) along the roadsides? A tent goes up, or the back end of a tractor trailer gets dropped and parked, or a vacant lot just sprouts a “business” overnight!
I don’t see any parallel between the people I discussed above, and these larger invaders of the roadside landscape.
Buying your spouse a flower to brighten the dinner table on the way home from work is one thing. But do you really want to tell your friends at your next home party, “Yep! Got that great couch an’ coffee table at the vacant lot up near the overpass!”
I mean you can buy flowers to plant, a place to park your butt, even fireworks to shoot! Well, not legal exploding fireworks, if yer a citizen of Pennsylvania. But tourists from out of state can! (anybody out there who can explain that to me?).
So why don’t I feel the same about these current roadside “businesses” as those individuals down south from yesteryear?
Well for one, they operate on a much larger scale. They have no expense invested in land, buildings or our local economy. They don’t pay real estate or school taxes like “real” businesses do. Sure, they (probably?) pay a nominal “permit” fee?
Meanwhile they steal customers from actual tax paying businesses who operate year round. Our local merchants who hire local employees, pay real estate, school and business taxes along with their business permits. And who will be their to back up that couch purchase when the springs pop through the fabric or replace that plant when it withers in a week.
I Don’t Know About You..., If I want a flower, couch (or illegal firecracker) I’ll buy it under an actual roof.
Cal Teeple, often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted or contacted, is founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium. He’s also found at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com.
Years ago, when I lived and worked (!) in the big city, I would often observe an inspiring sight. Usually seen in passing as I made my daily commute, on many of the exit ramps to the interstate I was wont to travel. There would be a “salesman” (or more likely young woman) plying their trade. Most of them offering hapless motorists momentarily stuck in traffic on the off-ramp, a product of one kind or another for sale (not what you’re thinkin’).
Most of the time it was a small bunch of flowers. Carnations seemed popular? But if there was a holiday nearing, there might be roses around Mothers Day or lilies near Easter. Fourth of July always brought out the little American flags.
One thing seemed just slightly out of kilter to me? Most of the people standing there in the hot sun (it was south Florida) doin’ the selling were oriental? It occurred to me that they were most likely “new” to this country. I mean, had they had been here awhile (maybe had time to became “legal” citizens) they might have pursued “real” jobs, out of that hot sun?
They all seemed to have a few things in common. Thick soled shoes or sneakers, light breezy clothing, dark suntans and Big Smiles. They also shared an almost universal ability to do math and make change fast (If you asked for it as you made a purchase!).
How I wonder where that ability has gone in today's world? (bet they still have it). Unlike our modern check-out counter people using their “beeping” cash registers, who still have difficulty counting out the already electronically specified amount of change. I wonder if maybe beeping horns and dodging traffic could re-inspire that ability
Those folks were quick on their feet, moving between the stopped cars with a sure-footed gait. Put me in mind of the quick moves of a small herding dog, dodging between and under the hooves of sheep on the run.
Even though many contemporaries of mine derided them as tax dodgers, deadbeats, “too lazy to get a real job”. Or simply “foreigners” (the majority were clearly of “foreign” descent). This made no sense to me, since what they did was hard work, for what appeared to be meager rewards.
Tax consequences aside, I considered them to be the epitome of entrepreneurial spirit. They were (apparently) not on welfare, not committing any crime, not panhandling (in the strictest sense of the word). They appeared to me to be energetic self-starters, self-employed and pursuing their vision (working hard at it) of the American Dream.
I don’t feel the same way today.
At least not about some folks who do similar (?) things along our highways and byways. The way things appear to me, the roadside “entrepreneurs” I observe today actually are tax dodgers?
Cruising around the roads lately, you’ve noticed all these “seasonal” businesses cropping up (like noxious weeds) along the roadsides? A tent goes up, or the back end of a tractor trailer gets dropped and parked, or a vacant lot just sprouts a “business” overnight!
I don’t see any parallel between the people I discussed above, and these larger invaders of the roadside landscape.
Buying your spouse a flower to brighten the dinner table on the way home from work is one thing. But do you really want to tell your friends at your next home party, “Yep! Got that great couch an’ coffee table at the vacant lot up near the overpass!”
I mean you can buy flowers to plant, a place to park your butt, even fireworks to shoot! Well, not legal exploding fireworks, if yer a citizen of Pennsylvania. But tourists from out of state can! (anybody out there who can explain that to me?).
So why don’t I feel the same about these current roadside “businesses” as those individuals down south from yesteryear?
Well for one, they operate on a much larger scale. They have no expense invested in land, buildings or our local economy. They don’t pay real estate or school taxes like “real” businesses do. Sure, they (probably?) pay a nominal “permit” fee?
Meanwhile they steal customers from actual tax paying businesses who operate year round. Our local merchants who hire local employees, pay real estate, school and business taxes along with their business permits. And who will be their to back up that couch purchase when the springs pop through the fabric or replace that plant when it withers in a week.
I Don’t Know About You..., If I want a flower, couch (or illegal firecracker) I’ll buy it under an actual roof.
Cal Teeple, often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted or contacted, is founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium. He’s also found at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com.
