You see them
moving or sometimes dancing on the side
of the road in the commercial areas of town, usually near a stop light on the
corner. They're out there, shaking or sometimes "spinning" a
sign directing you to the local sandwich or pizza shop, or telling you about a great 75% off sale at
the nearby mattress store. They can be
in plain clothes or sometimes in costumes that range anywhere from a bird, to
the Statue of Liberty, to a taco (yup a taco, I've seen them). They are... "THE SIGN SHAKERS." Yes,
the men and women who aren't afraid of a little attention, after all, their job
is to attract attention... for the businesses they work for anyway. I've ridden in cars as we passed them by hearing
others say, "I wouldn't do that, no matter how much you pay me!" or
"how embarrassing having to do that for a job?" and even, "better
them than me." Well, all I can say is..."GOD BLESS THE SIGN SHAKERS!"
In my head,
I have some simple beliefs that are so simple that even I can understand them. I call them "Tony's rules of
life." One of these rules applies
to people's jobs, and that rule simply states..."everybody's got to do something."
And in my opinion, as long as it's legal and you're good at it, or try to be
good at it, I am all for it. If you are a sign shaker and you wave at me, I'll always wave back. I don't judge, I'm just happy you have a job
that pays you money. So when it comes
down to these human billboards of the intersection, I say," good on you"
for trying so hard! Sure, it's not a job for everyone, and no it's not a job
that would be on the top of my list, but for these folks, it's a job. Believe me, I have all the respect in the
world for people who would rather take a job shaking a sign for money than say,
stealing, hooking, selling drugs, or human trafficking for money...just to name
a few. And if you're good at shaking or
spinning a sign and you live in the right area, you can actually make some money
at it, upwards of $20.00 an hour! Yup, if you're energetic, self motivated, can
stand for up to 5 hours at a time, willing to work in any weather conditions,
and enjoy entertaining people, you too can be part of working America and
making some money. Will it make you
rich? Probably not. Will it make you a "hit with the ladies?" Mmmm...I'm
going with "no." But here are a few things that it just might be able
to do for you. It can help keep you out
of jail. Because if you're busy shaking
a sign, then you probably aren't out breaking into cars or houses or selling
drugs). It WILL build character, for
there will be a time when you look back at your sign shaking days and be able
to give yourself a little "pat on the back" as you tell yourself (or others)
that there was a time when you were willing to put a little pride aside and
"did what you had to do" for a job.
It could also help you to be a positive example as you tell your success
story to others. Because if you are willing to shake or spin a sign as a job
for a while, you've got what it takes to be a success! You really do. Putting yourself "out
there" in the world and being willing to work hard is a key to success. Ask any successful person and they will tell
you, that hard work and "character" matters, and if you're shaking
signs on the corner for pay check, you my friend have TONS of character. So
keep on spinning, keep on shaking, keep on dancing, and keep up the good
work. Because there are those of us out
there who sees more than just a moving sign, we see someone trying... we
believe in you!
Thank You
for reading and I'll see you in the groves.
Farmer Tony
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