# Problem solution for those guys who stand on sidewalks waving sales placards and arrows ...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 18, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586 "2009-09-18T14:01:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586/21 "2009-09-19T00:53:40Z")

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Chainsaw solution A1OK.

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**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586/22 "2009-09-19T03:34:49Z")

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> [@Oakminster](#):
>
> Telemarketers, no contest. Sign spinners are no more intrusive in my life than billboards, and there is no action involved on my part to deal with them. I notice them like I notice any other potential traffic hazzard, but that’s it.
> 
> I really don’t get the irritation with them. It’s honest work. I’m glad I don’t have to do that, but I don’t hold it against those who do.

Another vote for telemarketers. As long as the human signposts stay off the road, they’re just another pedestrian, as far as I’m concerned. They’re mildly distracting, but less so than, say, the person with a (stolen) shopping cart filled with his/her worldly possessions, wandering along the shoulder of the road. THAT’S a distraction, as I don’t know what state of mind this person is in, and whether or not the voices in his/her head will tell him/her to wander out into traffic.

I wouldn’t want to be a human signpost, but I would guess that it’s a job that doesn’t require much in the way of skills. A kid could do it, or someone who needs some extra cash, or someone who needs a first job.

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**Author:** ![the\_first\_supraliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586/23 "2009-09-22T14:50:58Z")

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Another poster that didn’t read the OP. An admin no less. The complaint is NOT about the signs, but having to stand to hold them.

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**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solution-for-those-guys-who-stand-on-sidewalks-waving-sales-placards-and-arrows/510586/24 "2009-09-23T00:32:13Z")

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I was replying to another poster, not the OP. Just like I’m replying to YOUR response right now, and not your original post. Threads tend to go off in tangents.

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