Have a nice day. Those four words have become the most commonly heard greeting nowadays. Everywhere you go you will hear it, be it a restaurant, hotel, store or fast food chain. Wherever you go, you can bet you will get lightly touched on your back with the words "Have a nice day." I politely throw back over my shoulder, "Have a nice day," too.
However, I have recently found that not everyone is pleased or even tolerant with those words. That's right, ol' friend. I received a complaint at street roots from a citizen who informed me he did not appreciate being greeted every morning by the same two vendors. On the way in it's "Good morning," on the way out it's "Have a nice day." Why, he even thought it to be aggressive. Now, I grant, "have a nice day" could be said in a sarcastic way, but this was not the case. This citizen was just plain tired of being greeted.
Now then, I would like to address this issue, so as to explain it a little better in case there is anyone else out there who might feel like this citizen does. We here at street roots try to stress to the vendors when hiring them that above all, they should be polite to the people. I myself have vended for six or seven years, and have never had or heard of this complaint before, so I'm kind of at a loss. I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but at the same time I want our vendors to be able to sell their papers. I realize you may run across a vendor who may not say anything, which is the type this citizen who made the complaint said he would rather buy from. Well, you can bet that vendor isn't selling very many if he or she is standing mute.
Now, I myself have a nice location on Division in front of Wild Oats where it isn't necessary to say much because Bruce and I have been there for several years and people know us. Still, we do greet people and they greet us.
You know, when I go to a fast-food establishment and order a hamburger, I know they're gonna ask me, "Would you like fries with that?" Even though I don't want them, I politely say, "No, thanks." I realize they're just doing their job. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're disturbed by vendor's greeting, please let that vendor know. I am not going to ask any vendor to stop greeting people. That is his or her way of making contact with the public and forming a bond with the citizens of the community. So, please try to see this from the vendor's viewpoint. It is not easy for some people to go out in public and sell papers, but they are trying to better their lives, and we at street roots are here to happily give them that opportunity.
In closing, I want you to know that street roots wishes to thank all of our valued customers for their generous support. I personally would like to thank Wild Oats on Division and the Detour Café across the street from Wild Oats, who have gone out of their way to help Bruce and me.
Street roots is now at 211 NW Davis and would welcome a visit from anyone. Well, I guess this is where I say, "Have a nice day!"
Semper Fi!