Very often on a Friday morning when I am coming back from doing a bit of shopping I come across a very pleasant young man dressed in a smart suit, with a shorthand notebook and pen in hand, outside of the Evening Post building.
Each week he has to stop passers by and ask for their opinions on various subjects such as the bus lanes, taxis, wearing poppies and today it was whether we think the shops prepare for Christmas too early. Each time I see him we stop and have a little chat and he tries very hard to persuade me to let him print my thoughts together with my photo in the Evening Post and each time I decline. Today was no exception, especially as my hair was pretty windswept making me resemble one of Macbeth's three witches and I don't really want to frighten the horses!
We had a little chat about Christmas goods being on display even before the children return to school in September and that many people have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas. Then I asked him why they always sent him out. Had he done something to upset someone? He laughed and said he only works on a Friday and to become a journalist this is one of the things he will have to put up with. He said the problem is, he can't find many people to talk to or they don't want to stop or have their picture in the paper. I felt both a little guilty and also sorry for him, then I suggested that he might have a bit more success in the pub just along the road.
I don't know whether he had any luck because I don't ever buy the Evening Post but I hope he did.
Hi Grandma,
ReplyDeleteYour pleasant young man is doing what all interns have to go through in the media. It's called "paying your dues".
In radio, for me it was taking a tape recorder with a microphone and asking people on the street their opinions on current events. It's a lot tougher than it looks and you have to really put yourself out there.
The pub was a great idea. Nothing beats spirits for loosening lips. :)
Hi Robin!
ReplyDeleteI hope he did get some luck. The trouble is I know how hard it is for these young men to succeed when they have to start from the bottom and work their way up because I've done it myself more than once!