[TML] High Port Concession Stands

[Richard Aiken]

On Nov 19, 2007 1:49 AM, Evyn MacDude <infojunky at ceecom.net> wrote:
> On Nov 17, 2007, at 1:58 AM, kellys at efn.org wrote:
> > Oh, and don't forget the hustlers, glad-handing anyone they don't
> > recognize and offering personal services ranging from protection to
> > prostitution to trustworthy local guide to cargo broker.
>
> Funnily alot of these I find easy... Now Just have to get them on paper.

Maybe they have OPCs?  Officially, this stands for "Off-Premises
Contacts."  But in reality it stands for "Obnoxious Personal
Contacts."  These people work on commission, trying to get married
tourists to sign up for tours of condominium properties.  Gatlinburg
has four or five such companies (the number changes, depending on who
went broke and/or got bought out by whom this month) and each has
several little niches they rent, along both sides of the main street.

Anything vaguely resembling a "couple" can't walk more than a few
yards without somebody leaning out, waving a "free coupon book" and
shouting, "Are y'all married?"  Some of them are REALLY
desperate/hungry.  I was walking with my niece Emilee one day (I'm 43,
she's 14) and we had this question hurled at us.  Without blinking, we
snapped "Local." in perfect two-part harmony and kept on going.

-- 
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident."  Robert A. Heinlein