Good fences make good neighbors, respecting boundaries

I always talk about how good fences make good neighbors and how it relates to our business, but we also need to understand the other side of this; respecting boundaries.  I didn’t always understand how boundaries aren’t made to reject others.  As individuals and professionals, people crowding our space can make us feel very uncomfortable.  Just because you want to include your neighbor, doesn’t mean they will want to be included.

Country folk don’t always understand that concept because they may have natural boundaries.  It is hard to crowd someone who lives in the middle of 20 acres.  Well you can, but it takes time, commitment and a lot of wear and tear on shoes or gas reserves.  When you are in a 10’ space, you can push those boundaries just by talking to the other people on the other side of your display walls.

When setting up a display, introduce yourself.  Be friendly but not pushy, don’t offer unsolicited advice but be open to responding if they talk to you.  If they don’t respond to your overture, let them be.  Sometimes, just setting up the display causes angst and they might need to be left alone.  Be careful when you set up the front of your display, you don’t go out of your allotted space and block people from seeing the vendors on either side of you.  Try to take into consideration where shoppers will stand as well.  Do you have a front display that people will shop, that might block the neighbors as well?  Is it possible to move it back into your 10x10 space so people will shop within it rather that standing outside of it.

Be considerate of the back of your space as well.  Keep it neat and tidy, don’t spread out too much even if you have the space to do so.  Clutter can irritate others and might cause problems.  Plus, it doesn’t look very professional.  Speaking of being professional; if you have a problem with your neighbor and they aren’t approachable, talk to the organizer.  That is part of their job.  I know it may seem like you are making waves but if the problem is affecting your bottom line, you have every right to do so.

Most of all; be kind.  Kindness can get you farther than the loudest gripe session.  Other vendors notice and will remember who was a problem and who was patient.  Vendors talk to promoters and promoters do pay attention to those who cause problems as well as those who don’t.

Good luck!