By Kellie Doherty
We all know that tabling is an awkward college life experience. People standing behind a highly decorated table, silently willing students over by expression alone. Passersby quickening their pace or looking the opposite direction just so they don’t have to deal with it. Let’s face it, it’s awkward for everyone involved. And, having recently finished a tabling session myself, I’d like to change that.
Here are some tips to deal with tabling.
For The Ones Doing the Tabling
- Have candy (seriously, everyone loves candy)
- Make interesting signs
- Have easy-to-pick-up trinkets (buttons, stickers, bookmarks, pens)
- Have a conversation instead of just a script
- Be Warned: People will use your table as an actual table, be cool with it.
For The Ones Passing By
- Smile if you make eye contact with a tabling person (it’s just nice)
- If the subject matter looks interesting, stop by and chat
- Take a bookmark, pen, or whatever trinket they have (it’ll make their day)
- Take only one piece of candy, two at most
- Be Warned: If you stop by a table you’re not actually interested in, it’ll probably be boring. (There I said it!) If it’s not interesting to you or to someone you know who you could pass the information along to, move along.
Following these simple tabling tricks will make it less awkward for everybody. And, seriously, everyone loves candy. Remember that, and it’ll be a success for us all.