# Excuse me, but what makes you think our trade show booth is your personal trash can? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 12, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973 "2017-03-12T02:15:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/41 "2017-03-12T17:27:49Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Then, IMO, it’s not a trade show, which is by vendors for their business trade partners. Trade shows are typically closed to the public, or at least throw up a high bar to keep out the pin collectors and looky lous. > > Shows for general public attendance and by vendors selling retail or home trade are something else, and yes, attract the Walmart and free-stuff clutter who probably don’t buy so much as a can opener. It’s the arena your company is choosing to play in and it sounds like your show runner lacks judgment in staging the booth for the actual audience. > > In other words, bitch all ya like but don’t expect sympathy from anyone with show experience. OK I hear ya. Our sales team refers to all events where we set up a booth as a “trade show” and I noticed the same terminology being used by many in our industry mostly because we have to put up with the same logistical bullshit setting em up, regardless if it’s business to business or open to the public. So in your world what I’m referring to here is not a “trade show” more I guess of an “expo”? We know exactly what field we are playing in and have the right to set up a nice display without people shitting all over it. And I already have received sympathy on this thread. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/42 "2017-03-12T18:06:22Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > We know exactly what field we are playing in and have the right to set up a nice display without people shitting all over it. Heh, we were at a Pittsburgh Beer Fest at the convention center a few weeks ago. We watched a guy (who had obviously over consumed) stagger to a seating area, collapse onto a couch, shit his pants, then vomit. You got off easy. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/43 "2017-03-12T19:28:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Heh, we were at a Pittsburgh Beer Fest at the convention center a few weeks ago. > > We watched a guy (who had obviously over consumed) stagger to a seating area, collapse onto a couch, shit his pants, then vomit. Hey, that was me! Why didn’t you introduce yourself? I would have given you a HUG. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/44 "2017-03-12T20:22:41Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > After reading through the whole thread, it sounds like some people don’t realize there are two kinds of shows like this. Those that are business-to-business and those that are business-to-customer. Its the second kind where you mostly have to deal with pigs and jerks. Well, you mostly get a different kind of jerk, a) ones who try to sell you serivces (Oh, you do collections? How fucking nice. Do you think we brought the accounting department here?!),b) would be product ‘reviewers’ who want free stuff - and I don’t mean the handouts. and c) unwitting scam artists who are trying to get free labor, product or whatever for their ‘great idea’. The worst was one combo of b) and c) plopped his sorry ass on his sittable cart in front of our company President to ‘chat’, and managed to block the path on the walkway and the entrance to our booth. I had to run interference with potential customers because our President didn’t want to just tell this guy to scram, perhaps hoping he would not be too long. 45 minutes later he was still there being a nuisance. I noted at one point that the guy only had a photocopy of the badge for entry. So when a security guy wandered by I took a second to bring this to their attention. So yeah, probably a low fewer slobs but plenty of people who insist on having your attention for their crappy web security company while actual people who mightbe interested in your products are going by. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/45 "2017-03-12T20:45:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Heh, we were at a Pittsburgh Beer Fest at the convention center a few weeks ago. > > We watched a guy (who had obviously over consumed) stagger to a seating area, collapse onto a couch, shit his pants, then vomit. > > You got off easy. That would not be unexpected at a Beer Fest. A garden show? Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/46 "2017-03-12T21:32:24Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > What kind of trade show? > [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > Which show were you at and what are you exhibiting ?.. > [@raventhief](#): > > I have no idea what product you are selling… > [@raventhief](#): > > So what kind of product were you trying to display? > [@Absolute](#): > > What industry are you in?.. Any particular reason you are being so evasive with these simple questions? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/47 "2017-03-12T22:16:05Z")
Maybe he’s displaying furniture? ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/48 "2017-03-13T01:54:17Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Any particular reason you are being so evasive with these simple questions? > > mmm Why don’t I just publish the name of my company, my name, social security number and home address? Would you like my cc number too? Buzz off. I’ll share what I want to share. What’s it to you, anyway? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/49 "2017-03-13T02:01:38Z")
Yes, answering what industry you are in is absolutely the same as publishing your SSN. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/50 "2017-03-13T02:03:50Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Any particular reason you are being so evasive with these simple questions? > mmm Well, now I’m curious as to why it matters so much to you what industry this is. Does it really make a difference? As I see it, it could be fine China or Dixie cups. Do not sit means do not sit. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/51 "2017-03-13T02:05:38Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Any particular reason you are being so evasive with these simple questions? > mmm Privacy and maintaining a semblance of anonymity, maybe. Could be his company is the sole Chicago-area business that makes/markets his product, and he doesn’t feel comfortable being more open about it. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/52 "2017-03-13T02:05:43Z")
Imagine if the OP talked like that with his furniture guests. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/53 "2017-03-13T03:14:32Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > Well, now I’m curious as to why it matters so much to you what industry this is. Does it really make a difference? As I see it, it could be fine China or Dixie cups. Do not sit means do not sit. Apparently because they don’t understand why the furniture is so necessary, and want the OP to justify having it on display and accessible in the first place given that it’s not meant to be used by anyone. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/54 "2017-03-13T03:59:04Z")
I found a home and garden show that took place last weekend in Arlington Heights, but nothing for this weekend. And my google-fu is only coming up with future dates at the various area venues. ---
**Author:** ![Zoot\_Sutra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/51bf81/32.png) [@Zoot\_Sutra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoot_Sutra)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/55 "2017-03-13T04:38:39Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > Well, now I’m curious as to why it matters so much to you what industry this is. Does it really make a difference? As I see it, it could be fine China or Dixie cups. Do not sit means do not sit. Queening stools. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/56 "2017-03-13T04:47:09Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > Well, now I’m curious as to why it matters so much to you what industry this is. Does it really make a difference? As I see it, it could be fine China or Dixie cups. Do not sit means do not sit. Ordinarily I wouldn’t care, but the OP is asking for it by emphasizing how SOPHISTICATED this product is, without actually naming it. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/57 "2017-03-13T05:11:41Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Apparently because they don’t understand why the furniture is so necessary, and want the OP to justify having it on display and accessible in the first place given that it’s not meant to be used by anyone. I’m not the OP, but I gave reasons that in my field are acceptable uses for furniture props. Were they not enough for this type of rant? Some seem to be taking this rant personally and that’s just silly. Clearly the OP doesn’t want to answer this question because they probably market something unique that would easily identify them. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/58 "2017-03-13T05:13:18Z")
> [@Zoot\_Sutra](#): > > Queening stools. All the more reason to not want people to sit on the props. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/59 "2017-03-13T05:21:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I found a home and garden show that took place last weekend in Arlington Heights, but nothing for this weekend. And my google-fu is only coming up with future dates at the various area venues. You and a few other people on this thread need to get a life. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/60 "2017-03-13T05:41:18Z")
I was at a trade show yesterday. To spite the OP, I deliberately left butt-prints on every available surface. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973.md?page=4)