When I was away a week or so ago, I came across a guy at the sea front who was a barker for bar/café and this was mid-morning. His job was to get passers-by to sit down and buy a drink in his establishment, and he was very good at it. He didn’t get me on the way there but in a few minutes later when I returned he persuaded me. I’m glad as we had a grandstand view of the different ways in which he engaged with people. I’d say he was a bit of an expert on dividing people into those he can easily persuade, those who are 50/50 and those who are definitely not going to.
It was fascinating and you could look on it as theatre. He was the performer; they were the audience until they became part of the performance and then audience again when like me, they stayed paid for the privilege and watched him continue.
His name was Juanito and you can see him here. He was good enough to have a conversation with me. He told me he started when he was 17 and I’d put him as 30s. He said the bad barkers are predictable they always use the same patter. “Two coffees 10 euros, sit here. ”That’s deadly dull so he’s creative. Everyone who walks down the street is treated differently. He wins whether they stop or not because he is enjoying himself and everyone, well nearly everyone leaves with a smile.
He’s a charmer only you like him for it because it’s affectionate as well as being commercial.
One man I noticed walked past head down eyes facing directly from as in “I’m not seeing you and I’m not interested.” But groups of ladies particularly and young children were very susceptible to joining in with his repartee.
Generally, his opening line of patter was, “Are you ready?” It’s intriguing because he’s probably meaning are you ready for a drink but you’re not sure – it leaves the possibility of, “Ready for what?”
And he can banter until the cows come home without being rude or too cheeky.
Everyone is up on the deal and even those who don’t buy a drink are the better for the chat. Those, like me who were watching were also enjoying the spectacle and had a smile on their faces. It’s a light hearted performance and I’m sure it works because he had more people drinking coffee and drinks than anyone else.
I think it’s much the same with people. There are those you chance across and may never see again but you are the better for the experience, it puts a smile on your face and we all need that.
