Storefront Synergy
Observations of camaraderie among marketplace vendors
The Markopoulo market is not much different from other markets I have been to around the world. It contains similarities to the market of La Esperanza, Honduras where you are greeted by gleaming faces with an earnest desire to sell you their commodity. And the market of Huambo, Angola comes in to the forefront of my mind as I remember the same giddiness in the vendors to vie for the best location on the street. And the cleanliness and orderliness of my own Farmer's Market in Harrison, Arkansas was reminiscent when viewing the assortments of fruits and vegetables all positioned orderly in their proper places. However, despite all the marketplaces I have been to the Markopoulo market provided and undeniable distinction in that there was a sort of "vendor synergy" that made the selling of their product more of a mutual cooperation rather than a capitalistic venture. This point was made clear to me when at one point a woman at one vending booth started to yell something and then it was echoed by a man at another. This parrot like interaction amplified their cause, namely selling their product it was as if a large billboard came forth from both of their mouths yet it was so done in a way that was not harming to the other's business. At that point it was simply up to the consumer to which he would choose from. I do not know where this marketplace synergy is rooted whether in the Greek economic beliefs or in their community style social viewings. Regardless it made for an interesting cultural observation.