Hey everyone! So I made a new friend last week. He’s a traveling Canadian named Mark who is working on a documentary about trans identities and communities. He also does art. Yesterday the both of us sat in Union Square selling art and discussing the unspoken rules of hobo street sales. A few of them were:
1. Make sure there is appropriate space between you and the next seller. We were beside a bubble man who had buckets of soap and bubble batons for children to play with. Our product differentiation allowed us closer proximity.
2. No more than two people at a time, because groups of hobos scare off rich people.
3. Make strategic eye contact that welcomes passersby but doesn’t intimidate them.
4. NEVER leave your post unattended.
5. No eating or using electronics, because it ruins the appearance of neediness.
6. Don’t get too attached to the art you’re creating, because the point is to sell it.
For more wisdom from Mark, and to see his cool art, visit his blog at http://ftmark.tumblr.com/tagged/travel
(Hint: You may find me doing a sexy dance in the Brooklyn Pride video posted in that link)
Awww, Mel… :(
Ouch, Mel. My roommate and my boyfriend (not the same person!) keep having these weird discussions with their respective families about their gq/trans* ‘stashe issues. See also: discussions I’d never thought I’d witness more than once.
Ironically I bet they’d be very accepting of it. My grandparents took me being trans better than my parents did at first.
hey i watch mark’s youtube vids. ftmark1
man, I know how this is, had to go to a grad party with boyfriend’s parents and my grandparents who were all MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS SO GREAT.
also, I went and stalked Mark’s tumblr and YOU ARE GAWJUS dude. and in that short bit at the bar with your friends I think I recognized some people from the comic!
Glad you made an awesome friend :D
And simultaniously unglad for ALL THE AWKWARDS for Mel
wow! I feel like crying for him TT___TT I also want to give him a hug.
it’s painful to watch this. too many awkward memories.
Wow, mel looks so strange in a skirt.
Nooooo Mel! Do something! Say something!
But okay I can’t blame him… I act exactly the same around family…