The unique nature of the "flea market"

 

I have enjoyed  flea markets for decades all over  the world.  I continue to enjoy them and the interpersonal exchanges.  This morning, I overheard someone say, "I truly hate the times we are living in."

Those that frequent the flea market rarely are on their phones, scanning the tables and blankets for a treasure. They enjoy the banter and human interaction.  Even after they sold me the item, they would say, "that really is a unique piece, isn't it?"  

Once a treasure is spotted, the ritual of bartering ensues.  The seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy.  This quintessential human interaction of coming to an agreement on price to be paid. I even did this in foreign countries, bartering back and forth scribbling on a scrap of paper.  Everything is paid in cash only.  I often tell the seller, please hold it for me and I will be back later to pick it  up.  Sometimes, an item is worth hundreds of dollars and I just trust them to hold the item for me.  I have never had my confidences violated.  

I had a particularly fruitful morning finding more Cape Cod broken glass, a large Humpty Dumpty paper mache, a Paul Bunyan book, a miniature British marching band, a miniature glass reindeer and Chinese dragon.  Part of the fun is being unexpectedly drawn to an item that you never knew even existed...similar to what often happens in my dreams. 

I have previously written about my relationship with broken glass.

https://dirtybennywrites.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-pursuit-of-broken-glass.html