# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/61 "2017-03-13T07:08:18Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 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 It’s love, right? Or maybe dreams? I’m sorry you have to deal with rude and inconsiderate people when all you want to do is sell them love and/or dreams. If it’s desirable to have furniture as part of the display, just raise it up on display blocks. Then your furniture will only be sat upon by very tall people (generally known to be sophisticated) or very athletic people (who are, generally, more considerate). Sent from my Android using my greasy fingers ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/62 "2017-03-13T09:56:27Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > 1. If you want to deal with the actual trash, put a trash can visibly at the booth. NOT 15’ away. Just sayin’, it WOULD help, and it’s a small thing, if it keeps your blood from boiling, dontcha think? This is known to be inefective / counter-productive. Don’t ask me why. I Don’t understand people either, and it’s not important. Measurable effect of trash cans is more trash around the trash cans. ---
**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 13, 2017, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/63 "2017-03-13T10:02:52Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 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 A simple “I’d rather not say” instead of completely ignoring five specific requests (and then replying ‘buzz off’) would have been the mature response. mmm ---
**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, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/64 "2017-03-13T11:42:34Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A simple “I’d rather not say” instead of completely ignoring five specific requests (and then replying ‘buzz off’) would have been the mature response. > mmm Well, except “mature response” isn’t the term that comes to mind when one thinks of **russian heel** ; he reminds me of a slightly more even-tempered **St. Anger**. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/65 "2017-03-13T12:44:01Z")
> [@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. Three kinds, then. The kind I’m used to is business-to-customer, but the customers are members of a professional society, and both the dues and the admission are in the three-figure range. And the booths tend to be too small for upholstered furniture. That said, if a show such as this is open to the general public for roughly the price of a movie ticket, the vendors have to expect that the general public is going to act like the general public. (I’m also flummoxed that anyone would try to sell anything SOPHISTICATED in such an environment.) And at the lower tail of the distribution, you’re going to get 5-10% who just do what they want, regardless of what the signs say. If **russian heel** ’s business goes in without a plan to handle that 5-10%, especially given that they’ve got this people magnet of comfy seating that apparently most of the other vendors don’t, it’s their bad. “You shoulda planned ahead.” - Rocky Balboa ---
**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 13, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/66 "2017-03-13T15:57:37Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 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 Wow, jump to bizarre absolutions much? If you’re displaying to the public and the merchandise is legal, why wouldn’t you want to say what it is? Maybe you can find more buyers on this mb. At the very least, we could give you suggestions on how to display your merchandise without making your furniture subject to abuse. If you treat your potential customers this way, no wonder they’re leaving shit all over your display area. If you’re not willing to say what the product is, do you mind answering how you display it? Do you show videos? Do you run a machine in front of an audience? Do you have a pretty girl in a revealing costume stand next to it? Do you have a pretty boy in a revealing costume stand next to it? ---
**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, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/67 "2017-03-13T16:27:25Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A simple “I’d rather not say” instead of completely ignoring five specific requests (and then replying ‘buzz off’) would have been the mature response. > > mmm I didn’t see this on the SDMB rules: that I’m required to respond to every post and in a timely manner. Thanks for your Moderation. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**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, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/68 "2017-03-13T16:29:09Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Three kinds, then. The kind I’m used to is business-to-customer, but the customers are members of a professional society, and both the dues and the admission are in the three-figure range. And the booths tend to be too small for upholstered furniture. > > That said, if a show such as this is open to the general public for roughly the price of a movie ticket, the vendors have to expect that the general public is going to act like the general public. (I’m also flummoxed that anyone would try to sell anything SOPHISTICATED in such an environment.) And at the lower tail of the distribution, you’re going to get 5-10% who just do what they want, regardless of what the signs say. > > If **russian heel** ’s business goes in without a plan to handle that 5-10%, especially given that they’ve got this people magnet of comfy seating that apparently most of the other vendors don’t, it’s their bad. > > “You shoulda planned ahead.” - Rocky Balboa If only we were all as wonderful and well planned out as RTFirefly. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**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, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/69 "2017-03-13T16:42:16Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Maybe you can find more buyers on this mb. Ha… haha…HAHAHAHA!!! That’s rich! I’m going to make my fortune marketing my wares on a Message Board partially populated by half-wits with no money living in their parents basement. > [@](#): > > At the very least, we could give you suggestions on how to display your merchandise without making your furniture subject to abuse. Actually I’ve already received a few interesting suggestions without revealing this information so why would I now? > [@](#): > > If you’re not willing to say what the product is, do you mind answering how you display it? “I’d rather not say.” > [@](#): > > Do you show videos? “I’d rather not say.” > [@](#): > > Do you run a machine in front of an audience? “I’d rather not say.” > [@](#): > > Do you have a pretty girl in a revealing costume stand next to it? “I’d rather not say.” > [@](#): > > Do you have a pretty boy in a revealing costume stand next to it? I suggest you discuss your fantasies with a therapist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**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 13, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/70 "2017-03-13T16:53:14Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Ha… haha…HAHAHAHA!!! That’s rich! I’m going to make my fortune marketing my wares on a Message Board partially populated by half-wits with no money living in their parents basement. You misspelled warez. ---
**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, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/71 "2017-03-13T16:58:47Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > It’s love, right? > Or maybe dreams? > > I’m sorry you have to deal with rude and inconsiderate people when all you want to do is sell them love and/or dreams. > > If it’s desirable to have furniture as part of the display, just raise it up on display blocks. Then your furniture will only be sat upon by very tall people (generally known to be sophisticated) or very athletic people (who are, generally, more considerate). > > Sent from my Android using my greasy fingers Apparently it’s abuse. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/72 "2017-03-13T17:29:59Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > If only we were all as wonderful and well planned out as RTFirefly. Y’know, I’m not exactly Mr. Organized, but when I or my co-workers are in a position to represent our agency in public, we try to think ahead of time of all the weird shit that might come up, so we’re ready for it and don’t embarrass both ourselves and our agency. Maybe your employer doesn’t care that you’ve got people making a mess of the furniture, and making your display a bit less than SOPHISTICATED. If so, then no problem. But if so, what’s your rant all about? No harm, no foul. 🙂 ---
**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, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/73 "2017-03-13T17:34:24Z")
Apparently, the sales were off for this event. And the OP is blaming the couch guests for ruining the show. ---
**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 13, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/74 "2017-03-13T17:44:42Z")
Ooooookay, if you’re unwilling to discuss your product, I can only assume that you’re embarrassed about whatever it is you’re trying to sell. It mortifies you that if the SDMB knew about it, you would be taunted and teased and cajoled to the point where you could never show your russian face here again. You get paranoid (“why would I tell you that?”) and defensive (“that’s not required by the SDMB rules”), so you realize you exposed just a little bit too much. We’ll find out. We always find out. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/75 "2017-03-13T17:47:49Z")
OP, I’m trying to have sympathy for you, but your persona is just so unpleasant it makes it hard. Oh, well. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/76 "2017-03-13T18:11:13Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Ha… haha…HAHAHAHA!!! That’s rich! I’m going to make my fortune marketing my wares on a Message Board partially populated by half-wits with no money living in their parents basement. Next year this time: “\*\*Russian heel \*\*was baffled about why his business failed so miserably. Nobody could have possibly predicted this. His business model of hating and insulting any potential customers seemed so promising too” ---
**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, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/77 "2017-03-13T18:25:23Z")
That might explain why my “Sunglasses That Spread Pinkeye” business failed. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/78 "2017-03-13T20:57:39Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > How many hemarhoid donuts did you sell? It was going quite well, thanks for asking, until some moron sitting on the furniture spilled his Preparation H and turned them all into hemorrhoid Cheerios. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/79 "2017-03-13T21:25:12Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Ha… haha…HAHAHAHA!!! That’s rich! I’m going to make my fortune marketing my wares on a Message Board partially populated by half-wits with no money living in their parents basement. Well, no need to, since you’re already making your fortune running a scammy booth in a traveling [\_\_\_\_\_\_] Show carnival. Tell me, do individual hucksters get a cut of the huge gate from all the **KIDS FREE!!! (Adults $24 each plus $10 parking)** advertising? Is there a shared pool from the **FREE GET RICH QUICK SEMINAR (book of secret info only $39.95)**? Or do you just have to shake down anyone you can collar walking by for your cut of the grift? Been run out of any towns yet for widespread defraudment and trashing the venue? ---
**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, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excuse-me-but-what-makes-you-think-our-trade-show-booth-is-your-personal-trash-can/781973/80 "2017-03-13T21:26:35Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Ooooookay, if you’re unwilling to discuss your product, I can only assume that you’re embarrassed about whatever it is you’re trying to sell. It mortifies you that if the SDMB knew about it, you would be taunted and teased and cajoled to the point where you could never show your russian face here again. You get paranoid (“why would I tell you that?”) and defensive (“that’s not required by the SDMB rules”), so you realize you exposed just a little bit too much. Wow. You’ve really got me all figured out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk [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=3) [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=5)