Courtesy, please!
There’s always a heckler in the crowd. “Do you have beer?” they ask the person selling pretzels or soda. Request: come up with something original.
Courtesy KQED
It’s inevitable: a jokester will summon a vendor when their back is turned. After the hawker turns around, the faker will pretend to watch the game and ignore the vendor. Grow up.
Don’t ask the price of the item. It’s right on the vendor’s badge in plain sight. And if you have to ask, it’s too much. And it always is, because you’re at the stadium.
When you make a purchase, have your card (or cash) ready. Vendors work strictly on commission, no salary, so time is money.
Give vendors the right of way. They’re often carrying weighty cargo while negotiating stairs.
Following a purchase, hold your hand out so they can hand you the item with relative ease. Don’t turn the sale into an athletic maneuver.
Courtesy Daytona Beach News-Journal
If you’re going to pay (and/or tip) with cash, pennies, nickels, and dimes are problematic to carry around, so leave the piggy bank at home.
Unless you’re buying the item for them, please don’t take it upon yourself to order for a friend. This leads to confusion and wastes time.
Don’t ask for item ingredients. Vendors are clueless in this department. Know this going in: it’s crap. You’re at the ballpark!
If a vendor is blocking you, don’t treat them like furniture and place your hands on them. Say “excuse me” and they’ll move.
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Jon Hart is the author of Unfortunately, I was available. Illustrated by Coverkitchen
