The Sidewalk Salesman

I hate to be critical of someone’s profession but what job satisfaction does a person receive from waving a “Cash for Gold” sign all day or waving to passersby while wearing a Statue of Liberty costume?  I suppose Lady Liberty could be an employee of the firm who has been chosen to represent out on the sidewalk for a few hours similar to the Chick-Fil-A cow but the “Cash for Gold” sign waver, on the other hand, seems to be a whole new job classification.

I have seen these brave, new workers all over Nashville.  The lucky ones get assigned a corner spot of a busy intersection from which to entice passing motorists.  The less fortunate are relegated to a sidewalk in front of a business where they pace for hours.  I have tried on several occasions to snap a picture of one of these sign wavers with my cell phone as I idle at a red light but with little success.  They are an elusive lot. 

Sign Wavers seem to form into two groups, enthusiastic or complaisant.  It is easy to spot the enthusiastic.  One’s eye is drawn to their swirling antics.  It is a new art form almost.  The enthusiastic sign wavers are overwhelmingly young men.  After all, a person would need to be strong to keep that board moving constantly for what?  hours?  The complaisant ones basically just stand there with the arrow-shaped board in their hand only moving it when they see a car approach.  You can tell their heart is not in it.  These young men would rather be home playing video games but they need the cash for a new skate board.  There is, of course, the occasional old Santa or “Cash for Gold” guy but they are rare.  Sign waving is a young man’s game.

As I drive around Nashville and observe sign wavers, I also ponder their financial situation.  How much are these folks get paid?  I assume they are paid based on the number of hours they wave the sign but do they get a bonus for being creative in their display?  Do they get an uptick in their pay when customers actual come through the door of the store they represent?  I am assuming they get the normal benefit of periodic bio breaks or, in the case of a costumed character, time to go inside and cool off but is that it?  What drives a person to a life as a sign waver?  Is it the money alone or the glory of the performance?

On particularly difficult days when I come home empty-handed after a sales appointment, I will see a sign waver on the corner and he seems to be having so much fun.  He does not seem to have a care in the world and I must admit I am jealous of his carefree lifestyle.  If you are reading this and you are a sign waver, would you give me a call at the number below?  I have a lot of questions plus I would like to take your picture.